FIFA President Gianni Infantino announced on July 12 that the governing body will seriously consider expanding the World Cup from 48 to 64 teams, potentially for the 2030 tournament. The move, which would add 16 more nations to the competition, could significantly amplify engagement for crypto fan tokens and prediction markets already tied to the event.
What Infantino proposed
Infantino confirmed that FIFA's relevant committees will review the feasibility of a 64-team World Cup ahead of the 2030 edition, which is set to be co-hosted by Morocco, Portugal, and Spain, with centenary matches in Argentina, Paraguay, and Uruguay. The rationale is inclusivity: more slots mean more nations from Africa, Asia, and smaller football federations get a seat at the table. The current 48-team format debuts at the 2026 World Cup in the US, Canada, and Mexico.
Crypto connections already in place
On June 9, Kraken was officially announced as the Official Crypto Exchange Supporter for the 2026 World Cup. A 64-team expansion in 2030 would only amplify that kind of exposure. Crypto-native prediction markets that let users wager on match outcomes have already seen substantial engagement during the current tournament. More teams would add an entirely new layer of group stage matches, increasing the total number of games and the addressable market for betting.
Fan tokens stand to benefit most
Chiliz, the blockchain platform that powers fan tokens for national teams and major clubs, is perhaps the most direct beneficiary. During the current World Cup, Chiliz-hosted fan tokens have experienced notable volume spikes correlated with match outcomes. With 16 additional national teams qualifying, each represents a new potential fan token launch. Countries from regions like Africa and Southeast Asia, where mobile-first crypto adoption is already high, could generate outsized demand for tokens tied to their national teams.
What to watch
Investors should monitor Kraken's FIFA relationship. If the exchange renews or expands its sponsorship for 2030, it signals that the ROI on sports-crypto partnerships is working. Chiliz and its CHZ token should be watched around major FIFA announcements, as the platform's value proposition scales directly with the number of participating teams. Prediction markets also deserve attention as a growing asset class. The risk, as always, is execution: FIFA committees could reject the 64-team format, crypto sponsorship deals could fall through if market conditions deteriorate, and fan tokens remain highly speculative instruments with thin liquidity outside of peak event windows.