The 2026 FIFA World Cup has become the biggest stage yet for crypto’s push into mainstream sports. Kraken was named FIFA’s Official Crypto Exchange Supporter on June 9, 2026, marking one of the most significant crypto-sports sponsorship deals in history.

Panama’s José Luis Rodríguez, the 27-year-old midfielder known as “Puma,” told media ahead of the England match that his team is determined to score their first-ever World Cup goal. Panama has been eliminated after two defeats to Ghana and Croatia.

Rodríguez, who plays for FC Juárez and has 53 caps with 7 international goals, has been one of Panama’s brightest spots in the tournament. He’s recorded 15 crosses across their group stage matches, leading the team in that category.

The match takes place at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey on June 27.

On June 26, the day before the England match, Rodríguez clashed with teammate Cecilio Waterman during a training session.

Crypto’s World Cup play

The fan token sector has been particularly active during the tournament. Chiliz, which powers the Socios fan token platform, has seen increased trading activity and engagement as World Cup matches generate spikes in fan participation. Fan tokens allow holders to vote on minor club decisions and access exclusive content.

Panama’s national team has no direct crypto involvement, no fan token, no blockchain partnership.

What this means for crypto investors

For investors watching the fan token space, the World Cup creates a predictable cycle. Engagement and trading volume spike during group stages, peak during knockout rounds, and typically decline sharply once a tournament ends.

Traders focused on short-term plays around fan tokens should watch match outcomes closely, particularly in knockout rounds where elimination triggers immediate sentiment shifts. The England-Panama match itself is unlikely to move any crypto markets meaningfully, given Panama’s elimination status.