The 2026 FIFA World Cup is shaping up to be the most crypto-integrated sporting event ever held. And the knockout stage, kicking off with matches like England versus DR Congo on July 1 in Atlanta, is where things get interesting for both football fans and digital asset markets.
Kraken was named FIFA’s first Official Crypto Exchange Supporter on June 9, 2026, a partnership that places cryptocurrency branding directly in front of billions of global viewers.
The match and its unlikely storyline
England, who topped Group L, will face DR Congo in the round of 32 at 17:00 BST. The BBC confirmed it will broadcast the match live on BBC One and BBC iPlayer, with all 16 first-round knockout ties covered across BBC Sport platforms.
DR Congo’s presence in this fixture carries genuine historic weight. The last time they reached the knockout stage of a World Cup was 1974, more than half a century ago.
