Mexico opened the 2026 FIFA World Cup with a 2-0 victory over South Africa at Estadio Azteca on June 11, and the scoreline wasn’t the only thing making headlines. Two days before kickoff, Kraken was named FIFA’s Official Crypto Exchange Supporter, marking the first major cryptocurrency partnership in World Cup history.
The match itself was dramatic. Goals from Quiñones and Raúl Jiménez sealed the Group A win for the hosts, while three red cards, including one for defender César Montes, added chaos to an already charged atmosphere.
Kraken’s FIFA deal and what it signals
On June 9, Kraken secured the title of FIFA’s Official Crypto Exchange Supporter. That’s not a jersey patch or a halftime ad buy. It’s the first time a crypto exchange has locked down a partnership of this scale with FIFA for a World Cup cycle.
The timing is deliberate. Mexico is co-hosting the tournament for the first time since 1986, and Estadio Azteca, which underwent a $300 million renovation for the event, is the centerpiece venue.
