The 2026 FIFA World Cup, the first ever with 48 teams, is quietly becoming one of the most consequential events for crypto-adjacent industries like sports betting, fan tokens, and prediction markets. And the Round of 16 best XI just dropped, featuring a 39-year-old Lionel Messi leading the tournament in goals and assists. The internet, predictably, lost its mind.
The Touchline, a popular football analytics account, published its selection on July 8, highlighting standout performers from the knockout stage. The picks included some expected names and some genuine surprises, with Pau Cubarsí and Azzedine Ounahi earning spots alongside more established stars. Perhaps more notable than who made the list: Kylian Mbappé and Cristiano Ronaldo were both left off.
Why a World Cup best XI matters for crypto markets
Fan tokens for national teams have historically seen massive volume spikes during major tournaments. The 2022 World Cup in Qatar proved that correlation decisively, with tokens tied to Argentina, Brazil, and Portugal seeing triple-digit percentage swings during knockout rounds.
With 48 teams instead of 32, there are more matches, more upsets, and more opportunities for prediction markets built on blockchain infrastructure to capture volume. The Round of 16 is the first knockout stage in this new format, meaning every match carries elimination stakes for the first time in the tournament.