OKX launches NFT World Cup competition

Key points to remember

• World Cup is underway and cryptocurrency companies enter the scene
• OKX has launched an NFTs tournament, customers can match three NFTs for free
• Brazil is the favorite, but European nations have won every tournament since 2002

It’s time for the World Cup.

The World Cup, undoubtedly the greatest sporting competition on the planet, is a truly global event. Although this edition may be marred by human rights abuses and the corrupt nature of its adjudication, 32 nations have gathered to decide who will reign for the next four years.

The world of cryptocurrencies takes advantage of the World Cup to make itself known.

Even in the world of cryptocurrencies, the World Cup is having an impact. Cristiano Ronaldo launched a collection of NFT on Binance. While this would have been notable otherwise, it was buried in the news because it came in the midst of Binance CEO Changpeng Zhao’s Twitter spat with Sam Bankman-Fried, which ultimately led to the scandalous collapse of FTX.

Lionel Messi first stole the spotlight from Ronaldo (what a goal against Mexico), then from Sam Bankman-Fried. He can’t catch a break.

Also, in the world of NFTs, OKX has launched a. OKX Soccer Cupa competition that allows players to kick NFTs and compete for prizes. Although I have been critical of the NFT market, writing about its lack of value in the hectic metaverse, I love my soccer.

And so, with the ability to create free NFTs for three different teams, I decided to take a look and see which teams were the best. Although I must warn that these NFTs with OKX are not completely free. Customers still have to pay a gas fee, which on Ethereum can be quite high.

But as long as you strike before the end of the group stage on December 3, you will be able to compete, and the gas fee will be the only one you have to pay.

Who will win the World Cup?

To decide which teams are the best to guess, I have first calculated the odds of each team winning the tournament. To do this, I’ve pulled the odds from the bookmakers, as of Tuesday, November 29 (i.e., before the England/USA game scheduled for tonight).

At 27.4%, Brazil is considered the team most likely to win the tournament. Personally, I would like to see them do it. The Brazilian team is simply iconic, and after not having lifted the trophy since 2002, it would be nice to see them do it.

In fact, European teams have won the last four World Cups since Brazil beat Germany 2-0 in Yokohama, Japan, in 2002. Italy won four years later in 2006 (thanks to a mental breakdown by Zinedine Zidane), Spain triumphed in 2010 as part of their absolute domination of international soccer, Germany beat Argentina in 2014 and France dominated a plucky Croatian side in 2018.

Is it a good idea to hit a NFT from Brazil?

Actually, the answer is easy. Here are the three big favorites: Brazil, France and Spain. With 27.4%, 14.7% and 12.2% chances of winning, respectively, there is a 53% chance that one of the three will win the trophy.

But where’s the fun in picking favorites?

My heart says Argentina, because it would be a joy to see the little maestro, Lionel Messi, ride off into the sunset with the biggest prize of all under his arm. However, having seen the Argentines struggle mightily so far, their chances of winning by 10% seem generous.

For me, given my country’s absence from the tournament (Ireland), I’m leaning towards the two South American nations. As a European, it’s nice to see Spain, France and others playing well, but I’m prepared to see the South Americans regain their crown.

Basically, I think Spain or France could do it. I don’t know why I don’t trust Brazil, no matter how talented their team is. A shot at Neymar won’t help either.

But hey, who knows. That’s why we watch the games, I guess.