The 2026 FIFA World Cup opened on June 11 at the legendary Estadio Azteca in Mexico City, with Mexico facing South Africa in front of roughly 87,000 fans. It’s the biggest World Cup ever staged, the first to feature 48 teams, and the first co-hosted by three nations: Mexico, Canada, and the United States.
Kraken gets the marquee sponsorship
Two days before kickoff, on June 9, FIFA announced that Kraken would serve as the tournament’s Official Crypto Exchange Supporter. The deal covers fan engagement initiatives across North America and Europe, giving the exchange prime visibility during a month-long event that routinely draws billions of cumulative viewers.
The World Cup runs through July 19, 2026, spanning 104 matches across three countries.
Avalanche and Chiliz power the on-chain layer
