The 2026 FIFA World Cup is shaping up to be the largest edition in the tournament’s history. Running from June 11 to July 19, it will feature 48 national teams playing 104 matches across 16 host cities spread between Canada, Mexico, and the United States.
Crypto’s front-row seat at the World Cup
Kraken has locked in a role as the official cryptocurrency exchange sponsor of the 2026 World Cup, with activations planned across host cities.
Gate.io, meanwhile, has taken a more product-forward approach. The exchange launched its own World Cup Hub inside version 8.22 of its app, giving users access to match fixtures, real-time standings, match calendars, and linked prediction markets powered by Polymarket.
FIFA itself has been experimenting with blockchain-based access. The organization sold tens of thousands of “Right to Buy” digital tokens at hundreds of dollars each. These tokens grant holders priority access to purchase tickets, but don’t include the ticket price itself.
