Crypto meets the World Cup as Raphinha backs Brazil for sixth title in 2026

Raphinha, FC Barcelona’s Brazilian winger, has publicly declared his belief that Brazil can capture a record sixth FIFA World Cup title in 2026. He singled out Real Madrid’s Vinicius Jr. as a player capable of leading the charge, praising his teammate’s ability on the pitch as transformational for the national side.

Brazil’s World Cup drought and the 2026 opportunity

Brazil holds five World Cup titles, more than any other nation. But the last one came in 2002, meaning the team has endured a 24-year trophy drought heading into the 2026 tournament.

The 2022 edition in Qatar ended in disappointment. Brazil was eliminated in the quarterfinals, a result that left the football-obsessed nation hungry for redemption.

Coach Carlo Ancelotti now oversees the rebuild. Raphinha is among the players selected for the squad.

The 2026 World Cup will be hosted across the US, Mexico, and Canada, marking the first time the tournament features 48 teams instead of 32.

Crypto exchanges are already circling the tournament

Bitget featured Raphinha in an ad campaign in April 2025 that drew parallels between football skills and strategic crypto trading.

Kraken secured the designation of official crypto exchange supporter of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with the partnership announced in June 2026.

Chainlink has also entered the picture with collaborations aimed at enhancing fan engagement and experiences at the tournament.

In 2024 alone, there were 26 new crypto sponsorship deals in professional sports, suggesting the industry has moved past the post-FTX hangover and is selectively re-engaging with properties that offer genuine reach.

Fan tokens and the Brazil connection

Brazil’s national football team has its own stake in the crypto ecosystem through the Brazil National Football Team Fan Token, known as BFT. The token operates on Bitci Chain and enables holders to participate in fan voting, access digital collectibles, and engage with the team in ways that go beyond watching matches on television.

Fan tokens as a category have had a rocky ride. The initial hype around tokens from clubs like Paris Saint-Germain and FC Barcelona generated significant trading volumes, but many of these tokens lost substantial value as broader crypto markets declined.

That said, macro events like the World Cup historically create spikes in interest for fan tokens tied to competing nations. When a country advances through the bracket, its associated token tends to see increased trading activity. The reverse is also true: elimination can trigger sharp sell-offs.

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