The 2026 FIFA World Cup, spread across Canada, Mexico, and the United States, isn’t just the biggest tournament in soccer history. It’s quietly becoming the largest live experiment in sports-meets-crypto integration the industry has ever attempted.
FIFA’s blockchain pivot and the Avalanche connection
FIFA’s digital collectibles platform, FIFA Collect, completed a migration to the FIFA Blockchain, built on Avalanche technology, back in June 2025. That move was more than a backend upgrade. It enabled the creation of Ethereum Virtual Machine-compatible NFTs, meaning these digital assets can interact with the broader EVM ecosystem rather than living in an isolated silo.
These NFTs are designed to dynamically tie to the tournament’s progress, functioning as living cards that evolve based on what happens on the pitch. Some even unlock “Right-to-Tickets” access, creating a direct bridge between owning a digital asset and getting through a physical turnstile.
It’s worth noting that FIFA previously partnered with Algorand for its NFT initiatives. That relationship has since been replaced by the Avalanche integration.
