The FIFA World Cup 2026 is barely a few weeks old, and crypto markets are already feeling the ripple effects. As England and Ghana ground through a 0-0 first half at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts on June 23, traders on Polymarket were placing bets worth a combined $865K on the match outcome alone.
That’s not a typo. Nearly a million dollars wagered on a single group stage match through a decentralized prediction market. And this is just Group L.
The match and the money
England entered the Ghana fixture riding high after dismantling Croatia 4-2 in their opener, with Harry Kane doing what Harry Kane does. Ghana, meanwhile, squeezed out a late 1-0 victory over Panama to kick off their campaign.
On paper, England should be cruising. In practice, the first half told a different story, with the Three Lions dominating possession but failing to break through Ghana’s defense. Declan Rice was among those generating chances, but the scoreboard stayed stubborn.
