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FIFA and Modex Collaborate to Launch NFT Collection as 2023 Club World Cup Begins

FIFA is partnering with blockchain database provider Modex to launch a limited NFT collection series with real-world utility as the 2023 Club World Cup begins.

The Club World Cup will start on 12 December in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, and end on December 22. It will bring together the seven reigning champions from across the world. These are the champions of FIFA’s six confederations: Al Ahly (Africa), Auckland City (Oceania), Club Leon (North America), Fluminense (South America),  Manchester City (Europe), and Urawa Reds (Asia). Current Saudi Pro League champion Al Ittihad will also participate.

According to FIFA, the new NFT collection will allow fans an “opportunity to own a piece of footballing history from the competition”.

FIFA+ to Release NFT Collection in Two Batches

FIFA will drop its initial NFT collection on its NFT platform, FIFA+ Collect, which it launched in 2022. The collection, which will be released on December 15, will include 100 NFTs and make fans eligible to win 2026 World Cup Final tickets for free.

Subsequently, FIFA will issue another 900 NFTs on the Ethereum-scaling Polygon network. This set will feature noteworthy moments from the Club World Cup and digital mementos. The second drop will take place on December 19 as the Club World Cup climaxes and the assets will be available for purchase on the NFT marketplace OpenSea.

Chief Business Officer of FIFA, Romy Gai shared his excitement about the partnership. Gai believes the collaboration will potentially “take the FIFA+ Collect platform to new heights”. Like Gai, Modex CEO Francesco Abbate expressed unparalleled delight at the collaboration. Abbate believes the real-world utility of the NFT collection provides an added incentive for fans to participate in the drops.

From Algorand to Polygon

In all of this, what’s surprising is FIFA’s move away from Algorand. Previously, FIFA named Algorand as its official blockchain partner in 2022. Thereafter, it launched its FIFA+ Collect platform on the chain.

However, FIFA+ Collect will move to Polygon with the second stage of its upcoming collection. Future releases will also utilize the Polygon chain.

FIFA’s decision to utilize the Polygon network is easy to explain given Polygon’s ability to deliver users’ requirements. Also, the Ethereum-scaling network has attracted several high-profile partnerships recently, further boosting the platform’s trajectory.

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FIFA and Modex Collaborate to Launch NFT Collection as 2023 Club World Cup Begins