According to an investigation report cited by CCN on May 23, FIFA announced on April 2 that it had designated ADI Predictstreet as the official prediction market partner for the 2026 World Cup. Before the ADI Predictstreet announcement, it was largely unknown in the prediction market industry, in contrast to established brands such as Polymarket and Kalshi.
Background of ADI Predictstreet: Links to Abu Dhabi and a Partnership with DAZN
The ADI Foundation is a blockchain project headquartered in Abu Dhabi, founded by Sirius International Holding (IHC’s digital division; IHC is one of the world’s largest investment companies). According to a report by SportsPro, ADI plans to launch a global prediction market platform before the opening of the World Cup that uses FIFA official historical data. DAZN has announced that it has reached a strategic partnership with ADI. ADI Predictstreet (Predict Street Ltd) holds a Gibraltar gambling license, but the host locations for the World Cup (the United States, Canada, and Mexico) each have different legal frameworks, and a Gibraltar license cannot automatically resolve compliance issues in those regions.
Josimar and ABC News Investigation Findings
Josimar’s investigation report states that at the time of announcing the deal, ADI Predictstreet had no mature product and had a limited history of public operations. ABC News reported that Ajay Bhatia, an early figure closely associated with the company, appeared on stage when FIFA announced the partnership, and that he had previously reached a settlement in an insider trading lawsuit filed in India; Bhatia denied any wrongdoing. Another Josimar report reviewed ADI CEO Dimitrios Psarrakis and his ties to “Qatadement” (an EU Parliament lobbying scandal); another report also said that anti-money-laundering report officer Colin Piri had previously been banned by Gibraltar’s regulators from working on related matters due to deficiencies in anti-money-laundering at his former employer. The above reports did not confirm that ADI Predictstreet’s World Cup product would fail, nor did they confirm that FIFA violated any rules.
FAQs
Why did FIFA choose ADI Predictstreet instead of Polymarket or Kalshi?
There is currently no public documentation explaining FIFA’s specific basis for the selection, and there is no public evidence showing that FIFA directly rejected Polymarket or Kalshi. Front Office Sports cited industry experts as saying that the deal “raises many questions.” FIFA has not provided detailed explanations about its partner selection process.
Does ADI Predictstreet’s Gibraltar license cover legal operations in the World Cup host locations?
Predict Street Ltd holds a Gibraltar gambling license. The United States, Canada, and Mexico have different legal characterizations for prediction markets, which may be viewed as gambling, financial contracts, or restricted-event markets. A Gibraltar license cannot automatically resolve compliance issues in those regions. FIFA said safeguards will support responsible participation.
What are the actual consequences of the Josimar and ABC News investigation reports?
As of CCN’s report, there have been no public statements from FIFA revisiting the partnership or replacing ADI Predictstreet personnel. While the investigation reports added public pressure to FIFA’s due diligence process, they did not trigger any confirmed regulatory or contractual consequences.
