Crypto Takes Center Stage at World Cup: Kraken and Chiliz Lead the Charge

The Belgium vs Senegal World Cup match on July 1, 2026, at Lumen Field in Seattle is more than just a football game. It's a showcase for crypto's sports ambitions, with several key players vying for attention.

Kraken was recently named FIFA's Official Crypto Exchange Supporter, focusing on fan engagement across North America and Europe. This partnership comes as the expanded 48-team tournament draws in more eyeballs from these regions.

Chiliz has been busy launching fan tokens, with $BELG being the official token for Belgium launched on Socios.com on June 3, 2026. This token gives holders access to fan voting mechanisms and rewards tied to the Belgian national team.

Avalanche is also powering FIFA's broader digital initiatives, positioning itself as blockchain infrastructure for mainstream institutions. Chiliz provides the fan token platform, while Avalanche supports the underlying digital ecosystem.