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Kraken becomes FIFA’s official crypto exchange partner for 2026 World Cup

Kraken becomes FIFA’s official crypto exchange partner for 2026 World Cup

FIFA’s first crypto exchange partnership links Kraken to the 2026 World Cup as Avalanche and Chiliz also feature in the tournament backdrop, highlighting fan tokens, prediction markets and broader crypto fan engagement.

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Fact Check
The official FIFA media release directly confirms Kraken as the Official Crypto Exchange Supporter of the FIFA World Cup 2026, and Kraken's own blog corroborates it. SportsPro and Forbes independently report the deal. Multiple reports characterize this as FIFA's first crypto exchange partnership for a World Cup, supporting the 'first' framing of the claim. The only minor nuance is the exact title ('Supporter') versus 'partner', but these are functionally equivalent sponsorship descriptions.
Summary

FIFA has appointed Kraken as the official crypto exchange for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, making Kraken FIFA’s first crypto exchange partner ahead of the tournament. FIFA Chief Business Officer Romy Gai said the organization values innovation in improving the fan experience, while Kraken co-CEO Arjun Sethi said this year’s World Cup will showcase an open, borderless financial system accessible by phone. Broader reporting also places Avalanche and Chiliz in the tournament’s crypto backdrop and points to growing attention on fan tokens and prediction markets as digital-asset products become more embedded in football fandom and event-driven activity.

Terms & Concepts
  • crypto exchange: Platform for buying and selling digital assets.
  • fan tokens: Crypto tokens designed to give sports supporters team-related engagement features and market exposure.
  • prediction markets: Platforms where users trade on the outcome of future events such as match results.