The 2026 FIFA World Cup Round of 16 clash between Mexico and England is going ahead as planned at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City on July 5, with a 7 p.m. local kickoff. Lightning in the area had raised questions about timing, but FIFA confirmed the original schedule holds.
The World Cup’s first crypto exchange deal
On June 9, 2026, FIFA announced Kraken as its Official Crypto Exchange Supporter for the tournament, marking the first time a crypto exchange has held that designation at a World Cup. The partnership is built around fan engagement: trading promotions, Bitcoin rewards, and activations timed to the knockout rounds.
The Azteca has hosted two FIFA World Cup finals, in 1970 and 1986. It’s where Diego Maradona scored both the Hand of God and the Goal of the Century against England in the 1986 quarterfinals.
Chiliz, Polymarket, and the bet that soccer fans are crypto-curious
