The biggest sporting event on the planet just entered its most intense phase, and crypto has a front-row seat. Three FIFA World Cup Round of 32 matches are set for today, June 29, kicking off the knockout stage of the first-ever 48-team tournament. Kraken, which signed on as the Official Crypto Exchange Supporter of the 2026 World Cup on June 10, is now riding the wave of peak global viewership.
Today’s matches and the new tournament format
The day’s action starts at 1 p.m. ET with Brazil taking on Japan at NRG Stadium in Houston. That’s followed by Germany versus Paraguay at 4:30 p.m. ET at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Mass. The night cap is Netherlands against Morocco at 9 p.m. ET at Estadio BBVA in Monterrey, Mexico.
Group play wrapped up yesterday, June 28, with Canada clinching a 1-0 victory over South Africa to close out the final day of pool-stage matches. The expanded format, which bumped the field from 32 to 48 teams, means the knockout stage now begins with a Round of 32 rather than the traditional Round of 16.
Kraken’s World Cup play and the fan token surge
