The 2026 FIFA World Cup is officially underway, and crypto is along for the ride. Kraken was named FIFA’s Official Crypto Exchange Supporter on June 9, marking the first time a World Cup has featured a formal partnership with a cryptocurrency exchange.
The deal, targeting fan engagement across North America and Europe, arrived just days before Sweden and Tunisia face off in their Group F opener on June 14 at Estadio BBVA in Monterrey, Mexico.
The biggest World Cup ever meets its biggest crypto bet
The 2026 tournament is the first to feature 48 teams and 104 matches, expanding from the traditional 32-team format. It runs from June 11 to July 19, hosted across the US, Mexico, and Canada.
For context, the 2022 World Cup in Qatar drew an estimated cumulative television audience of over 5 billion viewers. The expanded 2026 format is expected to surpass that.
