The 2026 FIFA World Cup isn’t just the biggest tournament in soccer history. It’s shaping up to be the most significant crypto-sports crossover event the industry has ever seen.
With 48 teams set to compete across venues in Canada, Mexico, and the United States from June 11 to July 19, FIFA has locked in partnerships with Kraken, Chiliz, and Avalanche that put blockchain infrastructure squarely at the center of the world’s most-watched sporting event.
The crypto lineup: who’s playing and what they’re doing
FIFA announced on June 9 that Kraken will serve as the Official Crypto Exchange Supporter for the 2026 World Cup. The partnership targets fan engagement and cryptocurrency adoption across North America and Europe, the two regions where the tournament’s footprint is heaviest.
But Kraken isn’t the only crypto player on the pitch. Chiliz, the company behind the fan-token ecosystem that has become a fixture in professional sports, supports national-team fan tokens for countries including Argentina and Portugal.
