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Croatia scraped past Panama 1-0 on June 23, earning their first three points in the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The match was decided by substitute Ante Budimir, who found the net in the 63rd minute. Goalkeeper Dominik Livaković did the rest, making several key saves to preserve the clean sheet.
Prediction markets are having their World Cup moment
Polymarket, the blockchain-based prediction platform, has recorded trading volumes exceeding $2 billion across various World Cup-related contracts during the 2026 tournament. The platform allows users to bet on match outcomes, group stage qualifications, and tournament winners using crypto. Every goal, every red card, every upset creates a ripple through these markets in real time.
After losing 4-2 to England just five days earlier on June 18, Croatia’s odds of advancing from Group L had cratered. Budimir’s goal would have shifted those contracts instantly, with traders who bet on a Croatian recovery collecting their winnings.
Croatia’s tournament context
Croatia finished as runners-up in 2018 and claimed third place in 2022. The 2026 tournament features an expanded 48-team format, co-hosted by the US, Canada, and Mexico. Croatia sits in Group L alongside England, Ghana, and Panama.
The crypto-sports convergence is accelerating
Established crypto exchanges like Kraken have taken on sponsorship roles during the tournament, embedding their brands directly into the World Cup viewing experience. There are no dedicated tokens tied to specific match results or tournament outcomes. The activity is concentrated on prediction market platforms rather than tokenized sports assets.
The $2 billion in Polymarket trading volume suggests that the demand is for betting utility, not speculative token launches. Traders want to wager on Croatia vs. Panama, not buy a Croatia Fan Token and hope it appreciates.
Disclosure: This article was edited by Editorial Team. For more information on how we create and review content, see our Editorial Policy.
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