The 2026 FIFA World Cup is officially underway, and it brought a few firsts with it. Forty-eight countries. Three host nations. And the most significant crypto integration any FIFA tournament has ever seen.
Mexico kicked things off on June 11 with a 2-0 win over South Africa in the tournament’s opening match, setting the tone for what will be 104 games stretched across the United States, Canada, and Mexico through July 19.
Crypto’s biggest sports moment
Two days before the first whistle blew, Kraken announced its role as the Official Crypto Exchange Supporter of the 2026 World Cup. The designation, revealed on June 9, makes Kraken the tournament’s marquee crypto partner, though notably no crypto exchange has landed a top-tier global sponsorship slot.
Kraken isn’t alone. Avalanche has been tapped to power the official FIFA Blockchain, serving as the infrastructure layer for NFTs and loyalty programs tied to the tournament.
