Brazil and Japan will square off in the 2026 FIFA World Cup Round of 32 on June 29 at NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas. The match kicks off at 1 p.m. ET, and it’s shaping up to be one of the more compelling early knockout fixtures.
Kraken, Polymarket, and the crypto infrastructure around the Cup
On June 9, Kraken was announced as FIFA’s Official Crypto Exchange Supporter, making it the first dedicated crypto exchange sponsorship for a World Cup. Four years ago, crypto companies were buying Super Bowl ads and hoping for the best. Now one of them has its name on the biggest sporting event on the planet.
Prediction markets tied to World Cup outcomes have exceeded $2 billion in total volume. Polymarket, the Polygon-based prediction platform that became a household name during the 2024 US election cycle, is seeing millions in trade volume on individual match outcomes, including the Brazil vs. Japan fixture.
Coinbase and Binance have also facilitated prediction-style products and promotions around the tournament, contributing to what has become the most crypto-integrated World Cup in history.
