Kraken has signed on as FIFA’s official crypto partner for the 2026 World Cup, the exchange and football’s governing body confirmed. The deal comes days before the tournament gets underway and marks the first time FIFA has named a crypto platform as a sponsor for the men’s event.
What the partnership covers
Kraken will be promoted across FIFA’s digital channels and at matches in the 16 host cities across the United States, Canada and Mexico. The company says it will also offer World Cup-themed educational content on crypto basics and run promotions tied to the tournament. Neither side disclosed the financial terms of the sponsorship.
The timing is notable — crypto markets have been volatile this spring, and regulatory scrutiny hasn’t let up. But FIFA has been open to blockchain-related sponsors in recent years. It inked a deal with blockchain firm Algorand for the 2022 Women’s World Cup and has hired a head of Web3.
England’s warm-up rout
Separately, England’s national team beat Costa Rica 3-0 on Wednesday in their final warm-up match before the World Cup. The result wasn’t a surprise — Costa Rica has struggled in recent friendlies — but the clean sheet and three different scorers gave manager Gareth Southgate some breathing room heading into the group stage.
The win, played in front of a sellout crowd at Wembley, won’t erase questions about England’s ability to finish chances against stronger opponents. Still, it’s a better note to leave on than a 1-0 squeaker.
What’s next
FIFA is expected to release the full match schedule for the opening week in the coming days. Kraken’s branding will begin appearing on FIFA’s social media channels immediately. The World Cup kicks off June 28 in Mexico City.
