FIFA Kicks Off Crypto Partnership with Kraken Ahead of 2026 World Cup

Sweden and Japan secured their spots in the World Cup knockout rounds on June 9 after a 1-1 draw between the two teams. Anthony Elanga's equalizing goal was the highlight of the match, but off the pitch, FIFA made a significant announcement that caught the attention of crypto markets.

FIFA partnered with Kraken, one of the largest and most established cryptocurrency exchanges, as the official crypto exchange supporter for the 2026 World Cup. This marks a milestone in the organization's growing relationship with the crypto industry.

The partnership is not without precedent; FIFA has previously worked with Crypto.com and Algorand on various projects, including blockchain-based collectibles platforms. However, this latest deal signals that the organization views crypto infrastructure as mature enough for its most valuable commercial property.