Switzerland’s Zurich the international governing body of football, FIFA, has formally announced a strategic alliance with Avalanche to create a unique Layer 1 blockchain for digital collectibles and fan interaction.
The new infrastructure, known as the FIFA Blockchain, will be constructed using Avalanche’s scalable, high-performance platform. The blockchain is intended to provide smooth digital experiences to the estimated five billion fans of the sport, and it is built to handle the enormous traffic that is anticipated during international events like the FIFA World Cup.
In a blog post, Avalanche highlighted that its advanced technology would allow the FIFA Blockchain to remain stable and responsive during major international tournaments, including the 2026 World Cup to be held across the United States, Mexico, and Canada.
Migration from Algorand and Polygon
The FIFA Blockchain will also serve as the new home for FIFA’s digital collectibles. Its existing NFT collection, previously hosted on Algorand and Polygon, will be migrated to the Avalanche network. The organization emphasized its goal of offering a unified and purpose-built platform for its growing digital ecosystem.
“Organizations like FIFA are moving away from fragmented platforms toward unified systems that scale efficiently and support meaningful user experiences,” Avalanche stated.
Built for the Ethereum Ecosystem
FIFA first declared in April that it would construct its blockchain on a network that was compatible with Ethereum Virtual Machines (EVMs). Its decision to improve developer accessibility and interoperability while facilitating the introduction of next-generation fan experiences is consistent with this choice.
The initiative also follows the Avalanche9000 upgrade, which significantly lowers the cost and complexity of deploying customized Layer 1 blockchains.
FIFA Coin: Still in the Works?
While Avalanche made no mention of a dedicated token for the new blockchain, FIFA President Gianni Infantino hinted at the development of a “FIFA Coin” during the White House Crypto Roundtable in March. Speaking at the event, Infantino expressed keen interest in launching the token from the United States, stating:
“FIFA is very, very interested in developing a FIFA coin, to do it from here, from America, and to conquer the 5 billion soccer fans in the world.”
Though no official details have been released about the FIFA Coin, the remark has fueled speculation about future monetization strategies tied to the blockchain.
What’s Next?
As FIFA continues to expand its digital footprint, the collaboration with Avalanche marks a significant leap toward decentralized fan engagement. With its own Layer 1 blockchain, the football body seeks to redefine how fans interact with the sport—both on and off the pitch.
