Lionel Messi just became only the second player in history to appear in three FIFA World Cup finals. He’s also the oldest outfield player to start one. And somehow, the most interesting part of this story for crypto markets isn’t happening on the pitch.
The 2026 World Cup final is set for July 19 at MetLife Stadium, where Argentina will face Spain. Messi previously played in the 2014 and 2022 finals, matching Brazilian legend Cafu, who reached the final in 1994, 1998, and 2002.
Prediction markets are having their Super Bowl moment
Cumulative trading volume on Polymarket and Kalshi for World Cup markets has exceeded $4.2 billion. The final alone is estimated to generate between $1.6 and $1.9 billion in trades.
Polymarket in particular has positioned itself as the go-to platform for event-based speculation, building on the momentum it gained during the 2024 US presidential election cycle.
