FIFA World Cup Sets Record for Ball-in-Play Time Amid Crypto Push

The 2026 FIFA World Cup is breaking records on and off the pitch. The tournament's first match between Brazil and Morocco set a new high for ball-in-play time, with an impressive 59 minutes and 13 seconds of actual football being played.

The draw between the two teams saw Morocco take an early lead in the 21st minute through Ismael Saibari, but Brazil equalized just over 10 minutes later thanks to Vinícius Júnior. The high-energy match left both teams with work to do in the group stage.

The World Cup's expanded format, featuring 48 nations, demands consistency and has created a new opportunity for fan engagement. The partnership between FIFA and Kraken, a leading crypto exchange, is one such example. The deal includes fan activations and education efforts, aiming to introduce the concept of cryptocurrencies to the masses.

Fan tokens, which are digital merchandise with trading capabilities, have seen increased activity tied to the match outcome. Brazil's National Team Fan Token (BFT) experienced heightened engagement as fans traded on platforms like Socios.com powered by the Chiliz blockchain.