The 2026 FIFA World Cup final between Spain and Argentina kicked off at MetLife Stadium on July 19, with massive crowds gathering hours before the 3:00 PM EST start time. But alongside the extended security lines and the visible presence of Homeland Security and New Jersey State Police, something else was competing for attention: crypto’s most prominent placement on the global sports stage to date.

Kraken breaks new ground as FIFA’s first crypto partner

Kraken was named the Official Crypto Exchange Supporter of the 2026 FIFA World Cup on June 9, 2026. That makes it the first cryptocurrency platform to secure an official partnership with FIFA, the governing body of the world’s most popular sport.

The deal is…