Through this study, Partners Foundation addresses the phenomenon of corruption in the international sports sector, focusing on the transformations that sports have undergone in recent decades, after it has gone beyond being a competitive activity to become a global industry in which economic, political and commercial interests are intertwined. The study reviews the conceptual dimensions of sports corruption, its patterns and reasons for its spread, in addition to analyzing its most prominent forms, most notably financial and administrative corruption within sports institutions, manipulation of match results, the increasing connection to sports betting markets, as well as conflicts of interest and political interference in the management of international tournaments.

 The study also addresses the events that accompanied the 2026 FIFA World Cup as a model reflecting the ongoing challenges facing the integrity of international sport. The study concluded by presenting a set of recommendations aimed at promoting integrity in the sports sector, most notably: developing independent governance and oversight systems within sports institutions.