Japan pulled off one of the early storylines of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, clawing back from a two-goal deficit to draw the Netherlands 2-2 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. The Group F opener on June 14 featured a dramatic 88th-minute equalizer from Kamada, turning what looked like a comfortable Dutch victory into a statement result for Japanese football.

For crypto markets, the World Cup kickoff brought its own fireworks. Chiliz (CHZ) rallied 28% heading into the tournament’s opening weekend, and Kraken’s debut as FIFA’s Official Crypto Exchange Supporter marked a new chapter in the intersection of digital assets and global sports.

A match that rewrote its own script

The Netherlands looked firmly in…