England head coach Thomas Tuchel didn’t mince words after his side’s dramatic last-16 victory over Mexico on July 6, declaring that referees at the 2026 World Cup “are just not good enough.” The match, officiated by Alireza Faghani, featured a red card and a penalty that left Tuchel visibly frustrated.
FIFA’s decision to name Kraken as the official crypto exchange supporter of the 2026 World Cup, announced on June 9, represents one of the most significant endorsements digital assets have received from a mainstream global institution.
Fan tokens and the knockout-stage volume spike
The Chiliz blockchain and its Socios.com platform have become the infrastructure layer for fan tokens across global football. These tokens let supporters vote on minor club decisions, access exclusive content, and speculate on the emotional swings of tournament football.
During high-stakes matches like England versus Mexico, trading volumes for fan tokens have visibly surged. When a controversial red card or penalty shifts the momentum of a match, it doesn’t just change the scoreline. It moves token prices.
