Ivory Coast ground out a 1-0 win over Norway in the round of 32 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas on June 30, booking a date with Brazil in the next knockout round. Ivory Coast controlled the tempo throughout, pressuring the Norwegian back line with constant rhythm changes, while Erling Haaland was largely invisible for the entire 90 minutes.
FIFA’s crypto experiment enters the spotlight
Kraken became FIFA’s first Official Crypto Exchange Supporter, a deal announced on June 9. The partnership is specifically aimed at boosting crypto awareness among fans in North America and Europe, the two regions hosting this expanded 48-team tournament.
FIFA built its official blockchain infrastructure on Avalanche, creating the foundation for digital collectibles tied to tournament moments. Chiliz, the blockchain platform behind fan tokens for major sports clubs, is powering another layer of engagement. Chainlink is running FIFA’s official prediction market through a platform called ADI PredictStreet.
What happened on the pitch
