Source: Nexon

As the World Cup enters the quarterfinals, the fierce race for the Golden Boot is being mirrored by the standout performances of world-class strikers within Nexon's FC Online.

Because the stats and value of the in-game PTG class rise in tandem with a player's real-world performance, users are finding themselves hooked on watching their squads and the transfer market fluctuate based on tournament results.

This tournament is more intense than ever due to the scoring race among top-tier strikers. As of the 8th, Lionel Messi leads the pack with 8 goals, closely followed by Kylian Mbappé and Erling Haaland with 7 goals each. With Harry Kane at 6 goals and Ousmane Dembélé at 4, the race for the Golden Boot has become increasingly unpredictable as teams advance to the quarterfinals.

The significance of these records is also remarkable. Kane has become England's all-time leading scorer, Haaland has set the record for the most World Cup goals in Norwegian history, and Messi continues to extend his record for the most goals in men's World Cup history. As these global stars continue their scoring streaks, they are adding to the excitement for both football fans and FC Online users.

As the tournament reaches the quarterfinals, the excitement surrounding the PTG class is peaking. Since a player's value increases incrementally with each round, those who survive the grueling matches carry significant weight. Player cards that have made it to the quarterfinals—especially those at the center of the scoring race—are seeing their values skyrocket in the transfer market, making user squads more dynamic than ever.

The seamless integration between real-world matches and the game further enhances the experience. Users watch as the fate of their squad players shifts with every match result, forcing them to strategize whether to hold onto their cards or sell them at their peak. This blend of cheering and tactical decision-making creates a unique way for FC Online users to enjoy the tournament stage.

The excitement is extending beyond the game into original content. Nexon has launched an original variety show, '2026 PTG: To Sell or Not to Sell,' which expands the tournament hype outside the game. It is a unique piece of content that combines information with entertainment, adopting the format of an investment briefing that likens in-game player card prices to the stock market.

The first episode was released on June 28, followed by the second on July 4. This season features a head-to-head competition between two virtual investment firms: 'Football Securities' and 'Bullish Securities.' Each team presents an ETF-style recommended portfolio of six players, adding to the fun of debating which players to acquire.

The show's format perfectly captures the joy of playing FC Online. Between presentations, the teams engage in real-time Q&A with viewers to highlight players to watch, offering a fresh perspective on real-world athletes through the lens of the game. The immersion of watching matches and playing the game is naturally carrying over into this original content.