The 2026 FIFA World Cup is doing what World Cups always do: consuming every available inch of global attention. And this time, crypto has bought itself a front-row seat.
As England prepares for a quarter-final showdown against Norway on July 11 at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, the real story for digital asset markets isn’t what’s happening on the pitch. It’s what’s happening around it. Kraken, serving as the Official Crypto Exchange Supporter of the tournament, and Polymarket, running prediction markets on match outcomes, are turning the beautiful game into a proving ground for crypto’s mainstream ambitions.
The match that has everyone’s attention
England booked their spot in the quarters with a 3-2 victory over co-host Mexico at the Estadio Azteca on July 5-6. Thomas Tuchel’s squad now faces Norway, with kickoff set for approximately 10 PM BST (5 PM ET). Norway earned their place in the last eight after knocking out Brazil earlier in the knockout stage.
Erling Haaland, who has spent years terrorizing Premier League defenses for Manchester City, lines up against many of his domestic league colleagues. England, meanwhile, is sweating over the fitness of Bukayo Saka and Declan Rice, both dealing with injuries heading into the match.
