FIFA Scores with Avalanche: Football Giant Ditches Algorand for EVM-Powered NFT Blockchain

FIFA just made a power play—swapping Algorand for Avalanche to build its official football NFT platform. Because nothing says ’global sport’ like betting on blockchain infrastructure wars.

The move signals a shift toward Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM) compatibility, letting FIFA tap into crypto’s largest developer ecosystem. Because even football bureaucrats know liquidity trumps loyalty when Web3’s involved.

Expect branded NFTs ranging from iconic World Cup moments to digital player cards—all while traditional sponsors quietly panic about their 20th-century licensing deals. The beautiful game meets decentralized finance, and the pitch just got volatile.

FIFA and Avalanche join forces to build L1-network

According to Avalanche’s press statement, the FIFA Blockchain will operate as a sovereign layer-1 network with high throughput, low latency, and governance autonomy. Despite its independence, the blockchain will remain interoperable with Avalanche’s ecosystem and the ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM).

FIFA intends to use Avalanche to host fan experiences, trading platforms, and digital collectibles that can scale to match its five-billion-strong global audience.

“By selecting Avalanche, FIFA is not simply embracing blockchain, it is establishing a long-term digital foundation capable of supporting the scale, speed, and flexibility required by the world’s most-watched sport,” the statement read.

FIFA sets sights on EVM-compatible blockchain, migration from Algorand

Prior to Thursday’s announcement, FIFA had announced its blockchain network will support its NFT platform, FIFA Collect. As part of the transition, FIFA Collect will migrate from the Algorand blockchain to the new network. 

The association also stated that the migration will begin no earlier than May 20, promising to provide step-by-step instructions on what holders need to do.

After the move, Algorand-based wallets such as Pera and Defly will no longer be supported. Users will instead connect to FIFA Collect using MetaMask or other EVM-compatible wallets via WalletConnect. 

Last year, FIFA revealed a new collaboration with Mythical Games to develop “FIFA Rivals,” a mobile soccer game set for release this month. The title will be free-to-play on iOS and Android.

New title in the ’Rivals’ franchise!

Introducing @FIFARivals, an officially licensed mobile game from @playmythical and @FIFAcom ⚽

Powered by Mythos chain, build your dream team, own your players, and compete in real-time arcade action.

Available in 2025 on iOS & Android. pic.twitter.com/2S5EnhV3sB

— Enter the Mythos (@EnterTheMythos) November 22, 2024

Players can build and manage their own football clubs while competing in real-time arcade gameplay. “FIFA Rivals” will feature an in-game NFT marketplace where users can trade football star collectibles on the Mythos blockchain. 

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