Nine African teams reach World Cup knockout stages, and crypto fan tokens are surging alongside them

Nine out of ten African nations at the 2026 FIFA World Cup have advanced to the knockout stages. Morocco, South Africa, Senegal, Ivory Coast, Ghana, Egypt, Cape Verde, DR Congo, and Algeria all punched their tickets to the next round. Confederation of African Football president Patrice Motsepe acknowledged the landmark achievement on June 28, framing it as a turning point for football development across the continent.

Fan tokens are having their moment

Fan tokens tied to national teams have seen sharp price movements that track almost perfectly with match results. The South Africa Fan Token, known as SAFA, jumped approximately 37% to $0.41 during the tournament’s group stage. Fan tokens on the Chiliz blockchain, the network underpinning platforms like Socios.com, experienced significant volume spikes and price fluctuations directly tied to game outcomes.

Kraken enters the pitch

Kraken became the Official Crypto Exchange Supporter of the 2026 FIFA World Cup on June 9, marking the first time a crypto exchange has held such a partnership with FIFA.

FIFA itself has been building crypto infrastructure for more than a year. The organization operates a dedicated blockchain built on Avalanche, established in 2025, designed to deliver digital collectibles and immersive fan experiences.

What this means for crypto investors

The SAFA token’s 37% surge is instructive. That kind of gain in a matter of days would be notable for any asset class, let alone one tied to a football team’s tournament performance. When a team gets eliminated, the token’s utility narrative evaporates overnight, liquidity can dry up fast, and the exit can be just as dramatic as the entry.

Kraken’s FIFA sponsorship and the Avalanche-based collectibles platform point to a broader trend: major sports organizations are building dedicated blockchain infrastructure, creating a more durable demand layer for certain networks, particularly Chiliz and Avalanche, that extends beyond any single tournament.

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