FIFA Partners with ADI Predictstreet for 2026 World Cup Amid Legitimacy Concerns

FIFA formalized a multi-year partnership with ADI Predictstreet on April 2, 2026, making the company the first official partner in the prediction market category for the 2026 World Cup in a deal reportedly valued at $150 million[22][1].

This agreement integrates a company with extremely low trading volumes compared to its competitors into a major global sporting event[1]. The reported valuation and the company's ties to the Abu Dhabi royal family prompt scrutiny regarding the integrity and transparency of the partnership[1][11].

What the records show

FIFA announced its partnership with ADI Predictstreet, positioning the platform to offer an interactive forecasting experience for fans of the 2026 World Cup[22][24]. ADI Predictstreet is a prediction market platform backed by International Holding Company (IHC), which maintains links to the Abu Dhabi royal family[1][11]. The platform intends to leverage FIFA's official historical data to power its prediction-based experiences, allowing fans to forecast match outcomes, player performances, and tournament statistics[20][22][24]. ADI Predictstreet has extremely low trading volumes compared to competitors like Kalshi and Polymarket[1]. This condition has led to questions about the legitimacy of its activity[1]. Additionally, some markets on ADI Predictstreet reportedly remained open even after outcomes were settled[1].

The timeline

Predict Street Ltd, the entity operating ADI Predictstreet, received a gambling license in Gibraltar on March 26, 2026[15][16][13]. This license was granted under the 2005 Gambling Act[15]. Gibraltar's Minister for Justice, Trade and Industry, Nigel Feetham, publicly defended the swift issuance of the license on April 1, 2026, stating it was completed in “record time”[15]. The FIFA partnership was announced the following day, on April 2, 2026[22].

What changed and for whom

The partnership aims to enhance fan engagement for the 2026 World Cup by providing a new interactive forecasting experience accessible via dedicated mobile and desktop applications[20][22][24]. ADI Predictstreet will also serve as the presenting partner for FIFA's free-to-play bracket challenge[20][22]. FIFA stated that ADI Predictstreet’s operations will comply with FIFA's regulatory and integrity frameworks[22][23]. These frameworks include real-time monitoring for suspicious trading activity and established systems for information sharing and reporting[22][23][24]. These safeguards are intended to ensure transparency, fairness, and protection for participants[22][23].

What the subject has said publicly

Ajay Hans Raj Bhatia, identified as the Principal Council Member of ADI Predictstreet, described the partnership as a “defining moment” for the company and for how audiences interact with major events[20][21][22]. Gibraltar Minister Nigel Feetham commented on April 1, 2026, that the decision to award Predict Street Ltd a gambling license occurred in “record time”[15].

What we could not confirm

The specific terms and breakdown of the reported $150 million valuation for the partnership were not detailed[1]. The precise extent of the Abu Dhabi royal family's involvement, through International Holding Company (IHC) or directly, in ADI Predictstreet is unclear[1][11]. The effectiveness and implementation details of FIFA's integrity monitoring framework, particularly in light of reports regarding low trading volumes and markets remaining open post-outcome, are not fully explained[1][22][23].