Crypto meets the World Cup as Pochettino’s USMNT takes on Paraguay with Kraken and Chiliz watching closely

Mauricio Pochettino did two things in rapid succession during the USMNT’s match against Paraguay: he celebrated an own goal like a man possessed, then immediately grabbed Tyler Adams to bark tactical instructions while everyone else was still high-fiving.

The Argentine coach, appointed to lead the US Men’s National Team in 2024, is treating every second of match time as a classroom. And with the 2026 FIFA World Cup being hosted on American soil, the stakes extend well beyond the pitch, deep into the world of crypto sponsorships and fan engagement platforms that are betting big on this tournament.

Pochettino’s sideline intensity meets World Cup preparation

Adams, who plays for AFC Bournemouth, has become a central figure in Pochettino’s system. The midfielder has spoken publicly about the cultural shift happening within the national team under the new coach’s leadership.

Pochettino announced his 26-player roster on May 26, 2026. The Paraguay match served as both a competitive fixture and a live laboratory for his ideas.

Pochettino has set his sights on at least a semifinal finish, which would be the best result in the program’s modern history.

Kraken and Chiliz are placing massive bets on the tournament

Kraken, one of the largest cryptocurrency exchanges in the world, has locked in an official partnership with FIFA for the tournament.

Chiliz, the platform behind fan tokens that let supporters vote on minor club decisions and access exclusive content, has committed between $50 million and $100 million to US fan engagement initiatives tied to the World Cup.

What this means for crypto investors

Kraken has been operating since 2011. Chiliz has an existing ecosystem of fan tokens across European soccer leagues.

Super Bowl crypto ads drove massive app downloads in 2022, but retention was poor. The difference with the World Cup is duration: it’s a month-long tournament with daily matches, creating repeated exposure rather than a one-shot awareness spike.

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