The 2026 FIFA World Cup is doing what World Cups do best: sorting the contenders from the pretenders. As of June 24, nine teams have punched their tickets to the Round of 32, setting the stage for knockout matches beginning June 28.
But this isn’t just a soccer story. For the first time, crypto infrastructure is woven directly into the operational fabric of the tournament, from the exchange sponsoring the event to the blockchain managing ticket sales.
Who’s in, and why this format matters
The nine qualified teams are Argentina, Canada, Colombia, France, Germany, Mexico, Norway, Switzerland, and the United States. That’s a mix of perennial powerhouses and a few names that haven’t always been in the conversation at this stage.
Here’s the thing about the 2026 format: it’s the first World Cup with 48 teams, expanded from the traditional 32. That means more groups, more games, and a Round of 32 that didn’t exist in previous tournaments.
