FIFA Collect and Blockchain: How Avalanche’s AvaCloud Powers the Future of Digital Sports

Key Takeaways

• FIFA launched its own layer-1 blockchain using Avalanche’s AvaCloud. It powers the underlying infrastructure for the FIFA Collect platform.
• The aim is real adoption through simplicity. FIFA removes technical barriers to reach more users.
• The custom chain gives FIFA control over fees, users, and digital tools.
• Modex builds the FIFA Collect platform. Developers can also build fan apps directly on FIFA’s blockchain. Fantasy leagues and games are likely use cases.

In May 2025, FIFA made a major announcement to its global fanbase. 

It launched its own layer-1 blockchain using Avalanche’s AvaCloud. This move will shift FIFA Collect, the official digital collectibles platform, onto a custom blockchain built for scale and control.

The announcement marks a change in FIFA’s strategy. The organization plans to build a long-term digital ecosystem powered by Web3 technology and create a closer relationship with fans through more direct digital experiences.

Avalanche’s technology stack was chosen after a detailed performance, security, and flexibility review. 

The custom chain gives FIFA full ownership of its infrastructure. It aims to support faster transactions, lower fees, and easy integration with other Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM)-compatible blockchains.

To understand how this partnership came together and what it means for football fans, CCN spoke with John Nahas, Chief Business Officer at Ava Labs. He explained to CCN why FIFA chose Avalanche, how onboarding will work, the possibilities for collectibles, fan apps, and Web3 adoption, and he provided deeper insights about this transition.

Why Did FIFA Choose Avalanche?

“I would say FIFA, like any global institution, enterprise business with millions of fans and millions of potential clients or customers, need their own environment and they need their own blockchain,” said John Nahas.

He said that FIFA needed control over fees, users, and applications. General-purpose blockchains, he explained, are good for experimentation but not for scale. FIFA needed a chain that would not compete for traffic with memecoins or decentralized finance (DeFi) apps.

Nahas added that Avalanche takes a different approach from first-generation blockchain models. Instead of launching new general-purpose chains monthly, Avalanche supports custom chains designed for specific use cases or jurisdictions.

“You’re not forced to fit your application or your product into an existing technical framework,” he said. 

“You can build your own blockchain from the ground up to fit the needs of your business and your users.” He added that Avalanche is unmatched in enabling fast, cheap, and interoperable blockchain deployment.

What Is FIFA Collect and How Does Avalanche’s AvaCloud Power It?

Nahas explained that FIFA Collect is a digital platform where fans can own NFTs tied to iconic players and historic football moments. 

Modex, the technology partner behind FIFA Collect, is building the platform to give fans easier access to verified digital assets. 

Avalanche provides the foundation with a fast, customizable blockchain architecture designed to support future use cases.

“FIFA is using, of course, its vast IP and its amazing history to provide fans the ability to collect specific players and moments and do so through non-fungible tokens (NFTs),” he said.

He confirmed this is the first use case being moved onto FIFA’s newly launched sovereign blockchain powered by Avalanche. As a result, FIFA Collect will offer more control and streamline the user experience.

How Will FIFA Fans Transition From Web2 to Web3?

Nahas said the process is primarily educational. He pointed to Ava Labs’ work with global brands like SK in Korea and the Cleveland Cavaliers, where blockchain powers the experience but stays behind the scenes. 

This behind-the-scenes approach is gaining traction in Avalanche discussions. It supports adoption and reinforces real-world use without requiring users to engage with the technology’s intricacies.

“With FIFA Collect, I think the goal is to make it as easy as possible for anyone to log on, connect, and be able to purchase and collect these items,” he said.

He noted that having a sovereign chain helps FIFA build tailored onboarding experiences for fans who are unfamiliar with Web3.

“With FIFA Collect, I think the goal is to make it as easy as possible for anyone to log on, to connect, and to be able to purchase and collect these items,” he said.

He noted that having a sovereign chain helps FIFA build tailored onboarding experiences for fans unfamiliar with Web3.

How Can a FIFA Fan Start Getting Collectibles?

Fans can visit FIFA Collect’s website, create a profile, and begin buying digital assets. Nahas compared the experience to physical card collecting, except now it happens online.

“In the same way that you used to be able to go into a store and buy a pack, you can do this. You just do it online through the browser,” he said.

When asked about payment options, Nahas said he had only redeemed a pack and hadn’t yet tested purchases. The process had only just transitioned the week prior, and a follow-up was planned.

He confirmed that the whole ecosystem,  including payments, DeFi, and institutional tools,  is available. It is up to FIFA to decide how much they want to integrate and when.

How FIFA’s Blockchain Opens New Doors

“What excites me is the opportunity to really allow for the free flow of value and assets,” Nahas said.

He explained that FIFA now has the tools to build its own applications and open the door for others to create on top of its blockchain. For developers, this creates opportunities for projects like fantasy leagues or blockchain-based games that could directly connect with FIFA’s global audience.

Looking ahead, Nahas said FIFA is setting an example for how global brands can use blockchain without overwhelming users.

“The blockchain is not the highlight. The blockchain is the technology that enables the application, the asset, the use case to really go mainstream,” he said.

He criticized the industry’s habit of placing technical hurdles in front of users.

“I think we’ve been actually doing it backwards for the last 10 years in this industry,” he said. “If you really have this ethos of democratizing financial access and open transparency and decentralization, your goal should be to have people use this technology.”

He concluded that real adoption depends on simplicity, not complexity.

Conclusion

FIFA’s launch of its blockchain with Avalanche’s AvaCloud is a major shift in digital fan engagement. 

The new Layer-1 gives FIFA full control over its infrastructure and simplifies onboarding and usage. 

Through FIFA Collect platform, fans will be able to own digital collectibles and trade them based on iconic football moments. 

As Nahas puts it, real Web3 adoption largely depends on simplicity, and making blockchain services and infrastructure available to a large user base, without getting into technicalities, is a key element of this project and a strategic decision to support broader engagement.

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