Lionel Messi reaches third World Cup final as prediction markets explode with billions in volume

Lionel Messi has reached his third World Cup final, triggering billions in trading volume on prediction markets such as Polymarket and Kalshi. While crypto sponsors and fan tokens are absent, these markets have surpassed $4B in volume. Simultaneously, the FIFA 2026 World Cup has established an $871M prize pool, with the eventual winners set to receive $51M. These developments highlight a massive surge in betting activity surrounding the tournament's high-profile participants and financial rewards.