Kraken's FIFA World Cup deal puts crypto in the spotlight as England stun DRC

Kraken’s FIFA World Cup deal put crypto in the spotlight during England’s 2-1 comeback win over the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) on July 1 in Atlanta. On the pitch, Harry Kane scored twice in the final 15 minutes to erase a 1-0 deficit and secure England’s first World Cup victory after conceding the opening goal since the 1966 final. The match, played at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, also took place in the first-ever 48-team World Cup format. Off the pitch, the event drew attention because Kraken, a U.S.-based crypto exchange, holds the title of Official Crypto Exchange Supporter of FIFA World Cup 2026. FIFA announced Kraken’s category-exclusive sponsorship on June 9, 2026, focused on fan engagement and crypto adoption across North America and Europe. Despite the partnership, the article notes limited activity in team-specific fan tokens tied to England or the DRC, suggesting no durable floor yet.