The 2026 World Cup is delivering the kind of drama that should, in theory, be rocket fuel for blockchain-based sports platforms. Norway’s Julian Ryerson is set to return from a thigh injury for a round-of-16 clash against Brazil on July 5, a matchup featuring Vinicius Jr. and a nation making its deepest World Cup run in decades.
The Sorare signal
Sorare, the Ethereum-based fantasy football platform that once raised $680M in a Series B round and attracted partnerships with hundreds of football clubs, currently hosts digital collectible cards of Ryerson. A recent card sold for roughly $4.43.
This isn’t a knock on Ryerson specifically. The Borussia Dortmund full-back suffered a thigh injury just 13 minutes into Norway’s group stage match against Senegal. His recovery and return to full training ahead of the Brazil fixture is genuinely significant for Norway’s tournament hopes, though his final availability remains questionable as coaching staff monitor his response to training sessions.
Why the World Cup isn’t moving crypto markets
