Three football powerhouses, Argentina, France, and Norway, secured spots in the World Cup 2026 knockout stage following decisive group-stage victories on June 22-23, joining teams like the USA and Germany.
Argentina defeated Austria 2-0, with Lionel Messi scoring both goals, surpassing Miroslav Klose’s World Cup record with 18 total goals. France, on June 23, showcased their strength with a 3-0 win over Iraq, driven by a brace from Kylian Mbappé. Norway triumphed in a harder-fought 3-2 battle against Senegal, advancing the group which featured two knockout-stage entrants for the first time.
A significant dimension of this tournament is its crypto angle, with Argentina's $ARG fan token gaining attention in the sports-crypto market. FIFA's endorsement of blockchain initiatives, particularly on the Avalanche network, further emphasizes this trend. Kraken has also partnered as the Official Crypto Exchange Supporter.
Fan tokens like $ARG do not confer equity in teams but can fluctuate dramatically based on match results and players' performances, with Messi’s record chase exemplifying this volatility. As the knockout rounds approach, trading volumes for various national tokens could see significant changes based on team outcomes.