When Messi and Ronaldo step onto the World Cup stage once again, the sense of participation in the World Cup is also being elevated.

As the 2026 World Cup draws closer, national teams have been announcing their final 26-man squads. With the release of these rosters, discussions around the tournament are heating up rapidly. From title favorites to dark horses, from coaching decisions to star player form, the conversations about this World Cup are evolving almost daily.

Interestingly, the 2022 World Cup, once dubbed by countless fans as the "twilight of the gods," didn't truly mark the end of an era as many had anticipated.

Four years ago, many believed it would be the last time legends like Messi, Ronaldo, and Modrić graced the World Cup stage. Especially after Messi led Argentina to lift the trophy, the narrative of "legends bidding farewell" seemed almost complete.

But four years later, the story is far from over.

Messi is still on Argentina's roster, Ronaldo continues to lead Portugal into the World Cup, and Modrić remains a key part of the Croatian national team. Those once thought to be saying their final goodbyes to the tournament are still very much part of the most talked-about headlines.

For many fans, this sense of familiarity is an integral part of the World Cup itself.

The greatest charm of the World Cup has never been just the matches

One of the key reasons the World Cup has become one of the most globally followed sporting events is its unparalleled ability to generate discussion.

Before the matches begin, people predict champions, Golden Boot winners, and potential dark horses; during the group stage, they analyze qualification scenarios; and in the knockout rounds, every high-stakes clash sparks in-depth analysis.

Every World Cup delivers unexpected storylines. Some remember South Korea's run to the semi-finals, others recall Morocco achieving the best ever result for an African nation. The beauty of the World Cup lies in its duality: while strength often dictates outcomes, it always leaves room for upsets and miracles.

This is precisely why predicting World Cup results has become a cornerstone of fan culture.

Whether in offices, at gatherings with friends, or on social media, debates about match outcomes often outlast the games themselves. Sometimes, arguments over who will win a game kick off days before kickoff. In a way, many watch the World Cup not just for the matches, but for the thrill of making predictions.

From pre-match discussions to real-time guessing, fan engagement is evolving

Looking back a few years, the most common ways fans engaged with the World Cup were chatting with friends, sharing opinions on social media, or participating in various prediction contests.

But as online entertainment formats have diversified, simply discussing matches no longer satisfies all users. More and more platforms are experimenting with combining tournament content with interactive features, allowing users not just to watch but to actively participate in related topics and predictions.

This explains the significant surge in prediction activities during major tournaments like the World Cup and the European Championship. Unlike traditional one-off predictions, many modern prediction games emphasize sustained participation. Users are no longer focused solely on the outcome of a single match but are encouraged to make new judgments and choices as the tournament progresses.

For fans, this shift is quite understandable. After all, the World Cup lasts over a month; what truly captivates isn't the moment the final champion is crowned, but the constantly unfolding drama along the way.

BitMart turns predictions into a tournament-long event

Among the many World Cup-themed activities, BitMart's recently launched World Cup prediction event has captured significant user attention.

Unlike many prediction activities centered on individual matches, BitMart has chosen to encompass the entire World Cup schedule. From the group stage to the final, the event progresses in sync with the tournament, divided into multiple phases.

In terms of gameplay, the event uses a points-based prediction system. Users can earn prediction points through a goalkeeper mini-game, trading tasks, inviting friends, daily check-ins, and other methods. These points are then used to predict World Cup match outcomes. Successful predictions yield more points for subsequent rounds. This design shifts the focus away from any single match.

If traditional predictions are like one-off bets, BitMart encourages users to engage all the way from the group stages to the final. Accumulate points from the first round of group matches, compete for rankings in the knockout stages, and keep participating until the ultimate champion is decided.

For many fans, this rhythm closely mirrors the viewing experience of the World Cup itself.

Beyond the prize pool, what truly makes this event compelling

Of course, when it comes to World Cup prediction events, the prize pool is often the first thing on users' minds.

According to event details, the total prize pool is 880,000 USDT, covering leaderboard rewards, individual rewards, token rewards, and other incentives.

However, focusing solely on the size of the prize pool might overlook some of the event's more interesting aspects.

For instance, the event offers ways to earn points for free, allowing users to participate in predictions without any upfront cost. Prediction results are calculated using dynamic odds, meaning different matches offer varying point returns. Beyond the points leaderboard, users can also earn individual rewards based on their prediction accuracy.

Additionally, for certain matches involving popular teams like Brazil, France, and Argentina, the platform has set up extra reward pools. For these high-profile, widely-anticipated matches, this likely attracts even more users to make predictions.

These features collectively point to a key characteristic: the event is less about the final ranking and more about the entire journey of participation.

Some enjoy analyzing the shifting odds, others like dissecting match results, and still others simply want to see how far their supported team can go. Different types of users can all find aspects of the event that interest them.

Beyond the World Cup, people are also seeking a sense of involvement

Every World Cup crowns a new champion and creates new classic matches.

But for many fans, what truly makes the World Cup so captivating isn't just the final score. From pre-tournament predictions to post-match analysis, from supporting favorite teams to discussing game narratives, the World Cup is essentially a global conversation that spans several weeks. The matches are the core, but the discussions, predictions, and interactions surrounding them form a vital part of World Cup culture.

And events like BitMart's World Cup prediction activity essentially turn what fans already do – predict matches, discuss results, and follow team performances – into a sustained, interactive form of participation.

As the World Cup officially kicks off, various prediction and interactive activities surrounding the tournament will enter their most exciting phase. For fans, having an additional way to engage, beyond just watching the games, might be another unique pleasure that the World Cup offers.