Swiss Regulator Reviews FIFA Right-to-Buy Tokens for Gambling Compliance

Switzerland’s gambling regulator Gespa has begun examining whether the Right-to-Buy (RTB) tokens offered by FIFA comply with national gambling laws. The review comes ahead of the 2026 World Cup, which will be hosted across the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

Good to Know

• Gespa has not alleged any wrongdoing and is conducting a fact-finding review
• RTB tokens can be traded on FIFA’s NFT marketplace powered by Modex
• Token prices range from $299 to $999, depending on team odds

According to a report from Bloomberg, Gespa is assessing whether these digital assets resemble gambling products or conditional purchase rights. The regulator has not received any complaints but aims to clarify how FIFA’s Web3 initiative aligns with existing gambling legislation.

Gespa director Manuel Richard told Bloomberg that the authority is “gathering facts to determine whether any action is warranted,” emphasizing that no formal investigation or accusation has been made.

The Right-to-Buy tokens, available through FIFA’s NFT marketplace, function as digital passes that allow holders to secure match tickets at face value if certain conditions are met. These tokens do not guarantee access to matches, but instead provide a reserved purchase window for specific games.

FIFA launched the concept during the 2024 World Cup Final, releasing 1,000 RTB opportunities. Each team-linked RTB only activates if the selected team qualifies for the final. Tokens can be bought, sold, or traded on FIFA’s marketplace, which operates in partnership with Modex, a blockchain-based platform specializing in Web3 infrastructure.

For the upcoming 2026 tournament, “Right to Final” tokens are priced between $299 and $999, depending on team popularity and probability of reaching the final. Teams such as Argentina, Brazil, and England are among the most expensive, while long-shot teams have lower-cost options. Many tokens have already sold out.

FIFA said the token model was designed to make the ticket-buying process fairer for fans by reducing speculative reselling and improving access to high-demand matches. The organization noted that the 2022 World Cup in Qatar saw 3.4 million tickets distributed out of 23 million requests — a ratio that reflected extreme demand and limited availability.

While FIFA positions RTB tokens as a fan engagement innovation, Gespa’s assessment underscores growing global attention on how NFTs and digital ticketing models intersect with gambling and financial regulations. Depending on the outcome, the review could influence how similar blockchain-based fan offerings are handled by regulators in other countries.