Mexico wins World Cup group for first time since 2002, and crypto is along for the ride

Mexico finished atop Group A at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, something the country hasn’t managed in nearly a quarter century. The last time El Tri won their group was 2002, when flip phones were cutting-edge technology and Bitcoin was still seven years from existing.

A 2-0 victory over South Africa on June 11 set the tone. A 1-0 win over South Korea on June 18, sealed by a Luis Romo goal, finished the job. Mexico now advances to the Round of 32 as group winners, with a match scheduled for June 30 at the iconic Estadio Azteca.

Why this matters beyond the pitch

Since 2002, the pattern has been painfully consistent. Qualify, survive the group stage, then bow out in the Round of 16. Every single time.

The co-host advantage clearly plays a role. Mexico is sharing hosting duties with the United States and Canada in this tournament, meaning home-crowd energy and familiar conditions. Playing knockout matches at Estadio Azteca, a venue with over 87,000 seats and the thin air of Mexico City’s altitude, is about as close to a home-field cheat code as international football allows.

The 2026 World Cup itself is a different animal from previous editions. The expanded 48-team format means more groups, more matches, and more pathways to advance. Where previous tournaments had 32 teams fighting through groups of four, the new structure widens the funnel.

Crypto meets the World Cup

Kraken was named the Official Crypto Exchange Supporter of the 2026 FIFA World Cup on June 9, marking the first time an exchange-level crypto sponsorship has appeared at the tournament.

Fan tokens have also seen increased activity as tournament excitement builds. Tokens like Chiliz’s $ARG, tied to national team and club fanbases, have experienced heightened trading volumes.

Fan tokens generally give holders voting rights on minor club decisions, like jersey designs or player of the match awards. They are not equity. They don’t generate dividends. During the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, similar tokens saw sharp price movements that didn’t always end well for latecomers.

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