The 2026 FIFA World Cup has reached its first elimination round, and for the first time in the tournament’s history, a crypto exchange has an official seat at the table. As 48 teams compete across venues in Canada, Mexico, and the US, the parallel story is what’s happening off the pitch: prediction markets, fan tokens, and a sponsorship deal that would have been unthinkable four years ago.
Kraken was named the Official Crypto Exchange Supporter of the FIFA World Cup 2026 on June 9, 2026. That title makes it the first cryptocurrency exchange ever formally aligned with the world’s most-watched sporting event. The partnership includes ticket giveaways and promotional activations designed to funnel casual sports fans toward digital assets.
Prediction markets hit $2 billion as knockout drama begins
Trading volume on crypto-based prediction platforms tied to World Cup matches has exceeded $2 billion, reflecting real-time market reactions to match outcomes. Now that the stakes are binary, win or go home, those volumes are expected to climb further.
The expanded 48-team format means 16 additional knockout matches compared to the traditional 32-team bracket, creating more games, more volatility, and more reasons for prediction market participants to stay engaged.
