Nine own goals scored in the 2026 FIFA World Cup so far, and crypto is watching closely
The expanded tournament format is producing defensive blunders at a historic pace, while Kraken and other crypto firms position themselves around the spectacle
The 2026 FIFA World Cup is barely two weeks old, and defenders are already having a tournament they’d rather forget. Nine own goals have been scored so far, putting the competition on a collision course with the all-time record of 12, set during the 2018 World Cup in Russia.
For context, the entire 2022 edition in Qatar produced just two own goals across the whole tournament. Nine in roughly 12 days is not a trend. It’s a phenomenon.
A growing list of unfortunate contributors
The United States, one of three co-hosts alongside Canada and Mexico, has been a direct beneficiary of the chaos. Paraguay’s Damián Bobadilla put the ball into his own net on June 12, gifting the Americans a goal they didn’t have to work for. Australia’s Cameron Burgess followed suit shortly after, making it back-to-back matches where the US profited from opposition defenders doing their job for them.
They weren’t alone in their misfortune. Switzerland’s Miro Muheim contributed an own goal on June 13. Egypt’s Mohamed Hany added another on June 15. Iraq’s Aymen Hussein joined the list on June 16.
Then came June 18, which was particularly cruel. Jordan’s Yazan Al-Arab and Qatar’s Mohamed Manai both scored own goals on the same day.
Why is this happening?
The most obvious explanation is the expanded format. The 2026 World Cup is the first to feature 48 teams, up from 32 in previous editions. That means more matches, more teams with less experience at this level, and more situations where defensive units are stretched beyond their comfort zone.
The crypto angle: Kraken, collectibles, and fan engagement
Kraken has been appointed as the official crypto exchange partner of the 2026 World Cup, with promotional campaigns running since mid-June that aim to convert soccer fans into digital asset users.
Beyond exchange-level sponsorship, the digital collectibles space is active. FIFA Collect and Panini Blockchain have introduced NFT-style trading cards and digital packs tied to the tournament.
No specific tokens have emerged around the own-goals narrative. The crypto industry’s history with meme-driven speculation tied to real-world events has been mixed.