Crypto Makes World Cup Appearance with Visa
The start of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 will soon be here. The draw has been revealed for the Group Stage and, in just two weeks' time, the world will tune in to see the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi lead their national teams of Portugal and Argentina, respectively, in what could be the two players’ final World Cup appearances.
Before the start of FIFA’s biggest tournament, Visa, the official payment technology partner of FIFA, wanted to bring world fans together to learn about past legends of the game as well as the new ways Visa will enable the movement of money across the world.
To accomplish that, it is hosting its Visa Masters of Movement auction, which will allow fans to bid on digital art inspired by iconic goals from five legendary footballers that are minted into unique NFTs through Nov. 8 at Crypto.com. The five footballers: Jared Borgetti of Mexico, Tim Cahill of Australia, England’s Michael Owen, Argentina’s Maxi Rodriguez, and two-time FIFA Women’s World Cup Champion, American Carli Lloyd.
Fans with the highest bid for each NFT at the close of the auction will receive the NFT in their Crypto.com wallet along with a printable art file and signed memorabilia from the player featured in the NFT. Visa will grant all auction proceeds to Street Child United, a charitable organization incorporated and operating in the U.K., whose mission is to tackle the widespread stigma that street-connected children face globally.
FIFA and Visa will also connect with artists and fans at an interactive pitch at the FIFA Fan Festival in Doha, Qatar. There, fans will create digital art inspired by their personal signature movements. To do this, fans will step onto a digital LED pitch outfitted with tracking technology to capture and transform their movements into digital art. Take a shot on goal, show off dribbling skills and cap it with a rainbow flick against opponents. The tracking technology will capture it and create the personalized dynamic artwork. Digital art will be emailed as a souvenir and eligible fans also can choose to receive the digital art minted as an NFT.
“As FIFA World Cup 2022 approaches, we want to celebrate football, art and technology through the lens of what makes the FIFA World Cup so special – wildly impassioned fans, legendary athletes and for a few short weeks, the ability to bring the world together in a uniquely connected way,” said Andrea Fairchild, senior vice president and head of sponsorships, Visa.
The immersive Visa Masters of Movement experience will enable fans of the world’s sport to learn about emerging technologies like crypto and other digital solutions that provide more people access to the global economy.
Edited by Erik Linask
