2026 FIFA World Cup ties record with five goalkeeper substitutions as crypto betting surges

Five goalkeepers have been substituted during the 2026 FIFA World Cup, tying the all-time record for most goalkeeper replacements in a single tournament.

The tournament, which kicked off June 11 and runs through July 19 across Canada, Mexico, and the United States, is the first to feature an expanded 48-team format.

A tournament of goalkeeping extremes

Curaçao’s Eloy Room recorded 15 saves in a single group-stage match, an all-time World Cup record.

FIFA has also introduced new rules designed to keep matches moving. Players being substituted now face a 10-second limit to leave the pitch, with penalties if they exceed it.

Crypto meets the beautiful game

Kraken announced on June 9 that it became FIFA’s Official Crypto Exchange Supporter for the 2026 edition, covering North America and Europe.

Polymarket, the Polygon-based platform, has seen significant trading volume around World Cup outcomes. A single match between Spain and an opponent that ended 0-0 generated between $4M and $9M in trades on the platform. Golden Glove futures, which let users bet on who will be named the tournament’s best goalkeeper, have also attracted notable interest.

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