The 2026 FIFA World Cup kicked off with a statement. The US Men’s National Team dismantled Paraguay 4-1 at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California on June 12, marking the first World Cup match played on American soil in more than three decades.
But the scoreline isn’t the only reason crypto investors should be paying attention. This tournament is shaping up to be the most blockchain-saturated sporting event in history, with major firms like Kraken, Chainlink, Chiliz, and Avalanche securing official partnership roles that put their technology directly in front of a global audience measured in the billions.
The match: Balogun steals the show
Folarin Balogun was the story on the pitch. The striker netted twice, including a first-half goal that set the tone early. Gio Reyna added a third, and Paraguay’s Damian Bobadilla contributed an own goal to round out the scoring.
The 4-1 result stands as the largest margin of victory for the USMNT in a World Cup match since 1930.
