Ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, attention is not only focused on the performance of players on the field, but also on increasing interest in blockchain-based digital assets such as crypto tokens and NFTs that use the names or images of famous athletes.
The tournament, which takes place in the United States, Canada and Mexico, is expected to be the biggest stage to test the extent to which a player’s popularity can influence the demand for digital assets related to them.
Among the players in the spotlight is Canadian striker Jonathan David. Although he has not announced any crypto projects of his own, his name is now associated with two different types of digital assets.
The first is Panini’s NFT trading cards through the Serie A Select 2025-26 series. The NFTs are officially published using blockchain technology and have a valid license, making them a more trusted digital collectible among fans.
At the same time, a crypto token known as DAVID has emerged, built on the Solana network.
The token is trading at a very low price with low trading volume and no official endorsement or collaboration from Jonathan David.
The difference between official NFTs and community tokens is important to understand.
Licensed NFTs like those from Panini are backed by official usage rights and are more collectible, while tokens that do not receive official recognition are entirely dependent on market sentiment and speculation.
Such tokens also tend to have low liquidity, making it difficult for investors to sell their holdings when market interest wanes.
This development shows the growing connection between the world of sports and blockchain technology.
However, investors need to differentiate digital assets with a solid foundation and official licenses from tokens that simply ride on the popularity of athletes.
While the 2026 World Cup is expected to increase demand for digital collectibles, investing in unaccredited tokens still carries high risk as their value can fluctuate dramatically depending on market sentiment.
