Kraken secured its spot as FIFA’s first Official Crypto Exchange Supporter on June 9, 2026, two days before the World Cup kicks off across the US, Canada, and Mexico. It’s the clearest signal yet that crypto has moved from stadium naming rights to the center stage of the world’s most-watched sporting event.

The tournament, which begins June 11, is projected to draw billions of viewers globally.

Where crypto meets the pitch

The 2026 World Cup represents the first time FIFA has formally integrated a crypto exchange into its sponsorship tier. Previous cycles featured payment processors and traditional finance brands.

Fan tokens, traded on platforms like Socios.com, have been circulating for national teams for…