Background: Law, Society, and Global Football
While millions of fans around the world are glued to their screens and stadiums for the celebration of the 2026 World Cup, it is easy to forget that this mega event is not only an extraordinary sporting celebration, but also a complex legal and commercial arena generating billions of dollars.
Behind every goal, every major player contract, and every advertising campaign, there is a sophisticated legal system that shapes the rules of the game literally and figuratively.
In the special program “Closing the Loop,” we explored the economic and legal behind-the-scenes of global football together with the expert team from ABADI & CO: Attorney Shai Klott from the Privacy Department, and Attorney Ron Klagsbald, specializing in intellectual property.
About the Program “Closing the Loop”
“Closing the Loop” is a weekly radio program that connects law, business, and society. In each episode, Attorney Tal Kaufman, partner and head of the wealth management and intergenerational transfer department at Abadi & Co., hosts key figures for an open and in-depth discussion on legal, economic, and social issues shaping Israeli reality.
The goal is to make complex topics from everyday life more accessible, create clarity and peace of mind, and provide listeners with practical tools to protect their rights and assets.
The Legal Revolution That Changed the Player’s Status: The Bosman Ruling
When we watch today’s national teams in the World Cup made up of superstar players competing year-round in Europe’s richest leagues, it is hard to imagine football as it was just three decades ago.
Until 1995, the football market was entirely different: clubs retained rights over players even after their contracts expired and demanded excessive transfer fees to allow them to move teams. In addition, strict foreign-player quotas limited the number of non-local players in each squad.
The major change came thanks to a relatively unknown Belgian footballer named Jean-Marc Bosman, who sought to move from his Belgian club to a French team but was blocked. Bosman took his case to court, and in a landmark ruling by the European Court of Justice, it was established that professional footballers are workers in every respect, and that EU labor law (based on the Treaty of Rome and the free movement of workers) fully applies to them.
“The Bosman ruling was a legal revolution, not just a sporting one,” explains Attorney Shay Klott. “The court established two principles that permanently changed the industry: first, a player whose contract has ended may move freely to another club without a transfer fee. Second, clubs were prohibited from imposing foreign-player limits on players who are citizens of EU member states.
This shifted power from clubs to players and their agents, dramatically increased salaries, and led to the creation of the global super-clubs we know today.”
Although the Bosman ruling does not directly apply to Israel (which is not an EU member), the Israeli Football Association adopted parts of it regarding free agents. However, it still maintains a foreign-player limit in squads, an issue at the center of an ongoing struggle between clubs seeking to expand quotas and local Israeli players.
World Cup 2026: The Legal Complexity of a Tournament Across Three Countries
If the Bosman ruling shaped the club football landscape where players develop, the World Cup itself is a massive commercial enterprise based on broadcasting rights, sponsorships, and strict intellectual property protection.
The 2026 World Cup presents an unprecedented legal challenge as it will be the first tournament in history hosted simultaneously by three countries: the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
“Managing an event of this scale under three different legal systems is an enormous legal complex,” notes Attorney Ron Klegsbald. “Each country brings different tax laws, different privacy regulations, labor laws, and immigration rules for teams and fans.
To enable the tournament, FIFA signs complex agreements with the host governments granting it extensive regulatory and legal exemptions within their territories.”
The Intellectual Property Trap: A Warning to Brands and Advertisers
One of the most active legal fronts during the tournament concerns the protection of FIFA’s trademarks. The global organization strictly safeguards its rights, and any use of the official logo, the trophy, the tournament name, or even the words “World Cup 2026” requires contractual approval and significant sponsorship fees.
Many businesses try to “ride the wave” and launch advertising campaigns inspired by the World Cup without paying FIFA. This practice known as “ambush marketing” can lead to massive lawsuits for trademark infringement and unfair competition.
Attorney Ron Klagsbald explains:
“Brands must exercise extreme caution before launching any campaign ‘in the spirit of the tournament.’ FIFA uses legal teams and advanced technological tools to detect unauthorized use of its digital and graphic assets.
Even a seemingly innocent or indirect campaign may be considered infringement if it creates a misleading impression of official association or sponsorship.
The legal rule is simple: if you did not pay for official sponsorship, make sure your campaign does not touch protected trademarks.”
Conclusion: The Paradox of Modern Football
Modern football demonstrates how a legal ruling from 30 years ago (Bosman) and today’s intellectual property systems (FIFA) are deeply interconnected.
Commercial law and labor law do not merely accompany sport; they determine the economic balance of power, the market value of on-field stars, and the ability of sports organizations to generate billions from these events.
Ultimately, the World Cup is the best proof that even in the most emotional and passionate areas of our lives, written laws and smart commercial agreements are what truly run the game.
One Team. Committed. All the Way.
