Paraguay just beat Germany, a four-time World Cup champion, 2-1 in the round of 32. Now they’re lining up against France on July 4 in Philadelphia. If you’re looking for a sporting underdog story with real financial tailwinds for the crypto industry, this is the one.
The South American side revealed their starting XI for the match at Lincoln Financial Field, scheduled for 5 p.m. ET. Goalkeeper Gill anchors the back, with defenders Cáceres, Gómez, Canale, and Alonso forming the defensive line. The midfield features Almirón, Cubas, Gómez, and Galarza, while Enciso and Ávalos lead the attack. France, for their part, cruised into this stage with a 3-0 dismantling of Sweden in the group phase.
Crypto’s World Cup play
Kraken became an official supporter of the 2026 World Cup in June 2026, planting the exchange’s flag in the most-watched sporting event on the planet.
Then there’s Chiliz, the blockchain company behind fan tokens for sports clubs worldwide. Chiliz and its CHZ token have poured significant resources into World Cup fan engagement initiatives, essentially building the infrastructure that lets supporters vote on club decisions, access exclusive content, and participate in gamified experiences tied to their favorite teams.
