FIFA Announces NFT Collectibles on the Networks of Algorand and Polygon

FIFA is reportedly preparing to introduce a fresh collection of NFT collectibles on the Algorand and Ethereum scaling network Polygon prior to the 2023 FIFA Club World Cup in Saudi Arabia. This will be the inaugural collectibles release in accordance with a new partnership between FIFA and cryptocurrency startup Modex, which will now administer FIFA+ Collect, the global soccer organization's digital collectibles platform. Initially, the platform, which debuted in 2022, issued NFTs solely on the Algorand blockchain.

FIFA clarified that it will continue to distribute NFTs via its own platform on Algorand, in addition to expanding to Polygon via OpenSea marketplace distributions. Around the FIFA Club World Cup, a total of 1,000 NFTs will be issued, with the initial 100 being minted on Algorand and made available on December 15. Among these will be the most scarce collectibles in the shipment, providing an opportunity to acquire tickets for the 2026 FIFA World Cup Final. On December 19, the OpenSea marketplace will witness the release of the remaining 900 NFTs, in addition to additional FIFA NFT drops occurring on Polygon at OpenSea.

A FIFA representative provided clarification that the platform is not abandoning Algorand in favor of Polygon. Rather, it is expanding to accommodate the needs of present and future users, and technological decisions will be optimized to support those users. The FIFA Club World Cup commenced in Jeddah earlier this week, showcasing elite teams from various divisions across the globe, including Manchester City, the reigning English Premier League champions.