FIFA’s foray into Web3 is still active, but the foundation it’s built on is changing. The organization’s digital collectibles platform, FIFA+ Collect, is officially moving away from Algorand. Instead, it’s shifting to a new blockchain that runs on a layer-2 Ethereum-compatible sidechain powered by Polygon.
This move isn’t just about switching chains. It marks a change in strategy that affects how FIFA plans to handle scalability, user experience, and ecosystem growth within its NFT platform.
Why FIFA Is Leaving Algorand
FIFA initially launched its NFT platform on Algorand in 2022, betting on low fees and fast transactions. At the time, Algorand was gaining attention for being energy-efficient and technically stable. But it never reached critical mass among mainstream Web3 users, and over time, its visibility in the NFT and gaming space cooled off.
FIFA appears to be adjusting its plans based on reach and compatibility. Ethereum-based ecosystems like Polygon offer more liquidity, stronger wallet support, and broader user familiarity. For a project like FIFA+ Collect, which leans heavily on accessibility and event-driven drops, that matters. This isn’t necessarily a knock on Algorand as a protocol, but from FIFA’s perspective, the switch is about aligning with a blockchain that’s already integrated with the most widely used platforms and tools.
What the Migration Means for Users
The new home for FIFA+ Collect is built on the Layer 2 protocol powered by Polygon, specifically through a sidechain developed by Mysten Labs. This setup aims to combine low-cost transactions with Ethereum compatibility, which could streamline things for users already active in the broader NFT space.
Existing assets from the Algorand era aren’t disappearing, but they will sit outside the new ecosystem unless users bridge or migrate them. FIFA hasn’t yet confirmed whether that kind of migration tool is coming, but it’s something to watch for. For now, the focus seems to be on building a fresh slate. That includes new collectible drops tied to upcoming football events, likely with updated mechanics to reflect the platform’s expanded capabilities.
A Shift Toward Interoperability and Reach
The move puts FIFA in closer proximity to other major NFT ecosystems. By working with Polygon infrastructure, they tap into a network already used by gaming projects, marketplaces, and consumer apps. That could allow for crossover opportunities or collaborations that weren’t as practical on Algorand.
It also speaks to how mainstream brands are thinking about Web3. Instead of anchoring themselves to niche chains, they’re increasingly looking for bridges into ecosystems with proven traction and wider toolsets. Whether this translates into more engagement or better user experience is still an open question. But the technical shift suggests FIFA is trying to position its platform more like a service layer within a larger system, rather than a standalone blockchain experiment.
The Bigger Picture for Web3 Sports Projects
This isn’t the first major sports brand to pivot chains, and it likely won’t be the last. The Web3 landscape remains fragmented, and many early partnerships were more exploratory than permanent. As the space matures, projects are now aligning with infrastructure that offers clearer distribution, better developer support, and higher user activity.
FIFA+ Collect is still focused on digital memorabilia tied to real-world football events, and that’s unlikely to change. But how those assets are minted, held, and possibly traded will now happen within a more widely adopted environment.
The strategy seems less about reinventing NFTs and more about fitting them into places where people already are. Whether that ends up making FIFA’s Web3 push more sustainable is something only time — and users — will determine.
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