Iran Takes on New Zealand as FIFA's First-Ever Crypto Sponsor Heats Up Betting Markets

The FIFA World Cup 2026 kicked off on June 15 at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, with Iran facing New Zealand in Group G. The match saw Iran heavily favored to win, with bookmakers pricing them at 1.83 or 5/6.

The opening match of the World Cup comes as crypto prediction markets are heating up. Platforms like Kalshi are offering direct markets on World Cup outcomes, including the Iran vs. New Zealand game.

Kraken has been named FIFA's first-ever Official Crypto Exchange Supporter for the 2026 World Cup, providing a significant boost to the partnership between football and cryptocurrency.