Julián Quiñones put Mexico ahead of South Africa in the 9th minute of the 2026 FIFA World Cup opener on June 11, scoring the first goal of a tournament that crypto firms are treating like their Super Bowl moment.
Mexico held on for a 1-0 victory at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City, a fitting venue for the first match of what is now the largest World Cup ever staged. The tournament has expanded to 48 teams for the first time, co-hosted across Mexico, the United States, and Canada.
Crypto’s World Cup play
Two days before kickoff, on June 9, Kraken was announced as the Official Crypto Exchange Supporter of the FIFA World Cup for North America and Europe. The exchange is focused on fan engagement initiatives and promoting cryptocurrency adoption through activations tied to the tournament.
Kraken isn’t alone. Chiliz and Avalanche have also secured FIFA-related partnerships for the event, creating a three-pronged crypto presence across a competition that historically draws billions of cumulative viewers.
