The 2026 FIFA World Cup is here, and it brought its crypto friends. With 48 teams competing across North America from June 11 to July 19, this is the largest World Cup ever staged, featuring 104 matches. But for crypto investors, the real game is happening off the pitch, where Kraken, Chiliz, and Avalanche have positioned themselves at the center of FIFA’s digital strategy.
Group E pits Germany against Ivory Coast, Ecuador, and Curaçao. None of those four nations have dedicated fan tokens on the market right now.
Kraken, Chiliz, and Avalanche: the crypto starting lineup
On June 9, just two days before the tournament opener, Kraken was named the Official Crypto Exchange Supporter of the FIFA World Cup 2026. Kraken is explicitly targeting fans in host nations and across Europe, aiming to convert World Cup viewership into cryptocurrency adoption.
Avalanche powers what FIFA calls its blockchain layer, the designated Layer-1 infrastructure for the organization’s digital collectibles program. When FIFA mints or distributes any blockchain-based assets tied to the tournament, those transactions run on AVAX’s network.
