They made the announcement that both companies will launch the NFT auction prior to the start of the World Cup.
Day by day we see how the constant growth of news regarding sports and its link with blockchain technology and NFTs continues. This is why many companies have taken early notice of the great potential offered by these technologies to use them in the field of sports.
In this way, one of the main objectives that companies have is to get closer to the fans, offering products through blockchain technology, such as the acquisition of non-fungible tokens; and in this way, users will have more immersive experiences, among other benefits.
On the other hand, we have also seen on several occasions that VISA has also been working in the web3 field for some time now, and this is manifested through different events, such as trademark patent applications for example, or with its most recent launch of the program called Grande Liga Micah Johnson, whose main objective is to support artists who intend to enter the world of digital art and NFTs.
On this occasion, VISA wants to get even closer to soccer fans a few days before the start of the Qatar 2022 World Cup, through the launch of an NFT auction. A not minor fact is that VISA is FIFA’s payment partner, and to achieve this goal, it has made an alliance with the cryptocurrency sponsor of the World Cup, Crypto.com.
The project to be launched by the two companies is called “Visa Masters of Movement”, and consists of the auction of a collection of non-fungible tokens representing the most iconic goals of five historical soccer players. These NFTs can be found on the Crypto.com platform.
These tokens can be obtained until the deadline of November 8, 2022, days before the start of the biggest soccer event in the world, which has its start date on November 20. The goals they represent are related to previous FIFA World Cups and FIFA Women’s World Cups, of great stars such as: Jared Borgetti, Michael Owen, Carli Lloyd, Tim Cahill and Maxi Rodriguez, all materialized in a NFT.
The fan experience will take place in a dedicated space at the FIFA Fan Festival in Doha. The event will also offer the public the possibility to create digital art, and to materialize their creativity in an NFT.
Steven Kalifowitz, Crypto.com’s marketing director, said that the FIFA World Cup is one of the most anticipated sporting events in the world, and they are very excited to offer fans a new way to participate in this event. They are also very happy to have partnered with VISA to give fans the opportunity to create and collect the most exclusive 2022 FIFA World Cup Qatar NFTs.
On the other hand, Andrea Fairchild, who holds the position of senior vice president and director of sponsorships at VISA, referred to the project and said that as the World Cup approaches, they seek to celebrate soccer, art and technology. On this occasion, they will do so by linking fans with historic athletes, just a few days before the World Cup.
Another detail regarding the NFT of this collection is that they are abstract works made from movements of the players with the ball. Those who manage to make the best bids will receive the NFT in their Crypto.com wallet (the only platform where these tokens can be obtained), and also souvenirs signed by the soccer player related to said NFT.
VISA has also announced that the proceeds from the sale of the collection will be donated to Street Child United, a UK-based charity that aims to address the stigma suffered by street children around the world.
XK Studio is the art and design studio in charge of making the NFTs of this collection a reality. One of VISA’s objectives is to use a player and ball tracking system, giving fans the possibility to create NFTs that mimic the movements recorded on the Doha pitch.
Another relevant detail is that in addition to receiving the NFT, those who participate in the auction and have placed the highest bids will also receive real objects, such as a worn Argentina jersey signed by Maxi Rodriguez; a signed Australia jersey used in 2014 World Cup matches by Tim Cahill; a worn England jersey and boots signed by Michael Owen; a Mexico jersey signed by Jared Borgetti; among other objects.
Written by Luciano Garriga (TW:@luchogarriga) for NFT Express