Joint Initiative to Combat Collusive Schemes
The Justice Department, in collaboration with Mexico’s Federal Economic Competition Commission (COFECE) and Canada’s Competition Bureau, has announced a joint initiative aimed at deterring, detecting, and prosecuting collusive schemes related to the provision of goods and services for the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup: A Tri-National Event
Scheduled to be jointly hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada, the 2026 FIFA World Cup will span 11 locations in the U.S., three cities in Mexico, and two cities in Canada. This massive sporting event is expected to bring billions of dollars in economic activity to these nations.
Collaborative Efforts to Promote Fair Competition
Through this initiative, the enforcement agencies will work together on various fronts.
They will engage in outreach to the public and the business community to raise awareness about anti-competitive conduct. Simultaneously, they will cooperate on investigations, utilizing intelligence sharing and established international cooperation tools.
Quotes from Key Figures
“This historic event will bring billions of dollars in economic activity to cities across the United States, Mexico, and Canada,” said Assistant Attorney General Jonathan Kanter of the Justice Department’s Antitrust Division.
“For competition to happen in the economic markets, a level playing field for all those interested in offering their goods and services should be guaranteed,” stated Chairwoman Andrea Marván of COFECE, emphasizing the importance of fair competition.
“The Competition Bureau will do everything in its power to pursue those who seek to unjustly profit from the World Cup,” asserted Commissioner Matthew Boswell of the Competition Bureau of Canada.
Economic Impact and Sectors Benefitting
The World Cup is expected to have a positive economic impact across various sectors, including construction, entertainment, and tourism.
Host cities such as Atlanta, Boston, Dallas, Houston, Kansas City, Missouri, Los Angeles, New York/New Jersey, Miami, Philadelphia, the San Francisco Bay Area, and Seattle are likely to reap the benefits.
Reporting Anticompetitive Conduct
Individuals with information regarding market allocation, price fixing, bid rigging, or other anticompetitive behavior are encouraged to contact the Procurement Collusion Strike Force at www.justice.gov/procurement-collusion-strike-force or the Antitrust Division’s Citizen Complaint Center at 1-888-647-3258.
Commitment to Antitrust Enforcement
The Justice Department remains committed to collaborating with the public, the business community, and international partners to enforce antitrust laws, safeguarding the interests of the American people.
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