Final Four National Fan Tokens™ Eye Route to World Cup Final

And then there were four. Over the weekend, two of the six Fan Token™ nations competing at the World Cup were eliminated, after Scotland ($SFA) and South Africa ($SAFA) fell short. The tournament’s knockout stage is now underway.

So, which Fan Token™ countries are still in contention, and how did the market react to the exit of Scotland and South Africa?

Bye Bye Bafana Bafana (and Scotland)

South Africa was the latest nation to be eliminated, after losing the first round-of-32 game to Canada last night (June 28). Bafana Bafana had progressed from Group A three days earlier by beating South Korea 1-0.

That victory, which had guaranteed South Africa’s first ever qualification for the World Cup knockout stages, triggered major momentum for the South Africa Fan Token™ ($SAFA).

The asset’s spot price rose from $0.291 prematch to $0.426 the following day, a jump of 46.3%. $SAFA trade volumes also exploded from $30k to $506k (+1,586%).

Alas, Bafana Bafana fell at the next hurdle, losing 1-0 to co-hosts Canada in a largely dull affair. Priced at $0.331 prematch, $SAFA had slid to $0.318 by the following morning (-3.9%)

Scotland, meanwhile, were eliminated at the group stage following defeats to Morocco and Brazil.

Interestingly, since their 3-0 loss to the Selecao five days ago, the Scotland Fan Token™ ($SFA) has jumped from $0.558 to $0.633 (+13.4%). Manager Steve Clarke, who had overseen three disastrous campaigns, stepped down on Sunday.

Argentina’s Route to the Final

World Cup holders Argentina have made serene progress to the last 32, winning all three of their Group J games by an aggregate score of 8-1. Captain Lionel Messi has gotten six of those, placing him top of the goalscoring charts.

Argentina face minnows Cape Verde on Friday (July 3), and thereafter have a comparatively straightforward route to the semi. In the last 16 they would meet either Egypt or Australia, and in the quarters it would be Switzerland, Colombia, Ghana, or Algeria.

In the semifinal, Argentina would likely face Brazil or England, and in the final – take your pick, but France or Spain seem likeliest. A meeting with France would, of course, be a repeat of the thrilling 2022 showpiece which Argentina won on penalties.

A total of 39,877 $ARG tokens have been burned from the asset’s treasury reserve as part of Chiliz’ Burn to Glory campaign. Each World Cup match win triggers a 1% burn of Fan Token™ treasury holdings.

Spain’s Knockout Path

European champions Spain weren’t at their best in the group stage, drawing 0-0 with Cape Verde and inching past Uruguay 1-0, either side of a 4-0 drubbing of Saudi Arabia.

Nevertheless, Spain topped Group H and will meet Austria in the round-of-32 this Thursday (July 2). After that, things could get interesting as Croatia or Portugal lie in wait.

In the quarterfinals, Belgium or co-hosts the United States are the likely opponents, whereafter it would be France in the semifinals and Argentina, Brazil, or England in the final.

Spain are on the tougher side of the draw and will need to reel off several back-to-back wins over formidable opponents to lift the trophy.

The value of the Spain Fan Token™ ($SPAIN) has risen 5.6% in the last 24 hours, and another 244,586 $SPAIN will be burned if they defeat Austria on Thursday.

Portugal’s Possible Road

Like Spain, Portugal have had one dominant performance (the 5-0 win over Uzbekistan) and two that were somewhat lacklustre. Indeed, their final group stage match, a goalless draw with Colombia, resulted in the latter topping Group K.

Also in common with Spain, Portugal must run an imposing gauntlet to get to the final. First up, Croatia in the round-of-32 this Friday (July 3). After that, the likeliest opponents are Spain in the last 16, Belgium in the quarters, France in the semis, and Argentina, Brazil, or England in the final.

The value of $POR has slid 13.5% since their abject draw with Colombia two days ago. Might now be a good re-entry point, given the prospect of a win over Croatia burning 68,959 $POR tokens?

Belgium’s Roadmap to Glory

Last but not least is Belgium, whose World Cup prospects were hanging by a thread after two group stage draws with Egypt and Iran. On Saturday, though, the Red Devils clicked into top gear and thumped New Zealand 5-1 to top Group G on goal difference (burning 161,750 $BELG in the process).

This Wednesday (July 1), Belgium will face Senegal, who also finished the group stage on a high by thrashing Iraq 5-0. In the last 16, Belgium would probably meet the United States, and if they can eliminate the co-hosts they’d earn a meeting with Spain in the quarters.

The semifinals would pit Belgium against France, and Argentina, Brazil, or England would await in the final.

Fan Token™ Face Offs

Hawk-eyed SportFi traders will have noted the potential for a few Fan Token™ face-offs, which will carry more weight than usual due to the prospect of wins triggering treasury burns.

Here are some possible showdowns to be aware of.

• Spain vs Portugal (last 16) – win burns 2.5% of winner’s token

• Spain or Portugal vs Belgium (quarterfinal) – win burns 5% of winner’s token

• July 19: A Fan Token™ Final? – win burns 10% of winner’s token

Could Spain, Portugal, or Belgium book a date with holders Argentina in the final? Or will France and Brazil scupper that scenario to set up a repeat of the 1998 final?

Ronnie McCluskey: Fan Tokens™ Market Reporter