As Messi and Ronaldo once again take the World Cup stage, the sense of participation in the tournament is also being elevated.

As the 2026 World Cup draws closer, national teams have successively announced their final 26-man squads. With the release of these rosters, discussions surrounding the tournament have quickly heated up. From championship favorites to dark horse teams, from coaches' lineup decisions to the form of key players, debates about this World Cup are practically updated daily.

Interestingly, the 2022 World Cup, which countless fans had dubbed a "twilight of the gods" just four years ago, did not truly mark the end of an era.

At the time, many believed it would be the last time an entire generation of stars, including Messi, Ronaldo, and Modrić, graced the World Cup stage. Especially after Messi led Argentina to lift the trophy, the narrative of a "legendary farewell" became one of the most defining storylines of that tournament.

But four years later, people have discovered the story is not over.

Messi still appears on Argentina's roster, Ronaldo once again leads Portugal into the World Cup, and Modrić continues to be selected for the Croatian national team. Those names once thought destined to exit the World Cup stage are still at the center of fans' attention.

For many fans, this familiarity itself is a fundamental part of the World Cup experience.

The greatest allure of the World Cup has never been just the matches themselves

A key reason the World Cup stands as one of the most globally followed sporting events is its unparalleled ability to generate discussions.

Before the tournament begins, people predict the champion, the Golden Boot winner, and the potential dark horses; during the group stage, they analyze advancement scenarios; after the knockout rounds start, every heavyweight clash is meticulously dissected.

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

Because of this, predicting World Cup results has become an integral part of fan culture.

Whether in offices, at gatherings with friends, or on social media, discussions about match outcomes often last longer than the games themselves. Sometimes, even before a match begins, debates about its result have been raging for days. In a sense, many people tune into the World Cup not just to watch the games, but also to enjoy the process of making predictions.

From pre-match talks to real-time guessing, how fans engage is changing

If we go back a few years, the most common ways for fans to engage with the World Cup were likely chatting with friends, sharing opinions on social media, or participating in various prediction games.

But as online entertainment becomes more diverse, merely discussing matches no longer satisfies all users. An increasing number of platforms are trying to integrate event content with interactive gameplay, allowing users not only to watch the games but also to participate in related topics and predictions.

This is why, during major tournaments like the World Cup and European Championship, various prediction activities consistently see a significant surge. Compared to traditional prediction formats, many modern prediction games emphasize continuous participation. Users are no longer focused solely on the outcome of a single match but are instead 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 people is rarely just the moment the final champion is crowned, but rather the constantly evolving narrative throughout the entire journey.

BitMart turns predictions into a marathon-style World Cup event

Among the many World Cup-themed activities, BitMart's recently launched World Cup Prediction Event has attracted considerable user attention.

Unlike many prediction activities centered around single matches, BitMart has chosen to incorporate the entire World Cup schedule into its event scope. From the group stage to the final, the event progresses in sync with the tournament, divided into multiple stages.

In terms of gameplay, the event adopts a points-based prediction system. Users can earn prediction points through mini-games (like the "Goalkeeper Challenge"), trading tasks, inviting friends, daily check-ins, and more. These points are then used to make predictions on World Cup matches. Successful predictions yield more points, enabling continued participation in subsequent matches. This design shifts the focus away from any single game.

If traditional predictions are like one-off bets, BitMart aims to have users play along with the World Cup all the way to the final. Accumulating points from the first round of group matches, competing for rankings in the knockout stages, and anticipating the eventual champion – the entire process offers sustained engagement.

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

Beyond the prize pool, what truly makes the event compelling?

Of course, when it comes to World Cup prediction contests, the prize pool is often the first thing that catches users' eyes.

According to event details, the total prize pool for this event reaches 880,000 USDT, covering leaderboard rewards, personal rewards, token rewards, and other incentives.

However, focusing solely on the prize pool size might mean overlooking some of the event's more interesting features.

For instance, the event provides ways to earn points for free, allowing users to participate in predictions without any upfront cost. Prediction outcomes are calculated using dynamic odds, meaning different matches can yield different point returns. In addition to the points leaderboard, users can also earn personal rewards based on their prediction win rate.

Furthermore, the platform has set up additional reward pools for specific matches involving popular teams like Brazil, France, and Argentina. For high-profile marquee matchups, this will undoubtedly attract more users to make predictions.

These design elements point to a common characteristic: the event is not just about the final ranking, but the entire participatory process.

Some people enjoy studying the changing odds, some like analyzing match outcomes, and others simply want to see how far their favorite team can go. Different types of users can find aspects of the event that appeal to them.

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

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

But for many fans, what truly makes the World Cup captivating isn't just the final score. From pre-match predictions to post-match analysis, from supporting favorite teams to discussing game momentum, the World Cup is essentially a global conversation festival spanning several weeks. The matches are the core, but the discussions, predictions, and interactions surrounding them are equally integral to World Cup culture.

And initiatives like BitMart's World Cup prediction event essentially transform what fans naturally do – predict matches, discuss results, track team performance – into a sustainable, interactive format.

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