FIFA has entered the prediction markets space for the first time. It announced a partnership with ADI Predictstreet, an Abu Dhabi-backed prediction market operator. The agreement makes ADI Predictstreet FIFA’s first official partner in the emerging sector. In addition, it is expected to cover the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Also, it will include future tournaments.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino confirmed the deal after signing the contract with Ajay Hans Raj Bhatia, Principal Council Member of ADI Predictstreet. Infantino welcomed the partnership and added: “FIFA is committed to continually enhancing the fan experience and embracing innovation that brings supporters closer to the game.”
ADI Predictstreet Gains Licence Approval in Gibraltar
The announcement follows confirmation that ADI Predictstreet has secured regulatory approval in Gibraltar. Officials revealed the deal one day after Nigel Feetham, Gibraltar’s Minister for Justice, Trade and Industry, approved a new prediction market operator licence for the company.
Feetham said the application was processed in record time. He described it as evidence of “the pace at which we must sometimes act to safeguard Gibraltar’s vital economic interests.” According to ADI Predictstreet’s website, its platform is scheduled to launch on 9 April.
Abu Dhabi-Backed Ownership and Blockchain Ambitions
ADI Predictstreet was founded by Sirius International Holding, a subsidiary of IHC, a major UAE investment company largely owned by Abu Dhabi’s ruling dynasty. The broader ADI project positions itself as a blockchain initiative. It aims to onboard one billion people onto blockchain by 2030. Early target markets are across Asia and Africa.
Looking ahead, Predictstreet will offer access through mobile and desktop channels and will run on ADI’s proprietary blockchain infrastructure. Initially, the platform will focus on football and sport. Over time, however, ADI plans to expand Predictstreet into broader real-world forecasting markets.
FIFA World Cup Seen as Global Launchpad
ADI Predictstreet said the FIFA partnership and newly licensed status will allow it to use the global stage of the FIFA World Cup 2026 to introduce interactive forecasting to billions of fans worldwide. With the tournament set to take place in the United States, Canada, and Mexico, it will be FIFA’s largest World Cup to date. This event will feature more teams and matches than previous editions.
FIFA has projected that nearly six billion people will engage with the tournament in some form. Through the partnership, fans will be able to participate in Predictstreet’s platform to forecast outcomes throughout the competition.
Bhatia commented: “This partnership marks a defining moment for ADI Predictstreet and how audiences engage with major events, as we lay the foundation for a new category where collective intelligence, technology and real-world outcomes converge.”
Prediction Markets Expand Across Global Sports
FIFA’s move follows a growing trend of sports organizations partnering with prediction market operators. In October 2025, the NHL became the first major US sports league to align with the sector through multi-year partnerships with Kalshi and Polymarket. This was followed by Major League Soccer. The league signed a deal with Polymarket in January 2026.
Integrity and Compliance Remain Central
FIFA stated that Predictstreet’s World Cup-related activity will remain aligned with its regulatory and integrity frameworks. This includes monitoring for suspicious trading activity. Particularly, this is important as concerns around insider trading and market manipulation continue to grow across the prediction markets industry.
With the platform expected to launch imminently, the FIFA-ADI Predictstreet partnership signals a major step in the mainstream adoption of prediction markets. The sector continues to intersect with global sport and fan engagement.
