Apple Sports App Expands to 90 New Countries Ahead of 2026 World Cup

Apple is expanding its free Sports app to more than 90 new countries and regions ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The rollout brings the app to over 170 markets globally and adds a series of new real-time features designed for the tournament.



To help fans follow the action when the tournament begins in June, the app now lets users follow the entire World Cup or select specific national teams to populate a customized scoreboard. The expansion follows Apple's earlier launch into Latin America and the Caribbean. Following a team also enables Live Activities, bringing live scores and match updates directly to the iPhone Lock Screen and Apple Watch for quick access at a glance.


Apple is also adding Home Screen widgets across iOS, iPadOS, and macOS, allowing users to keep tabs on tournament progress in real time. When it's time to watch a match, users can tap directly into the Apple TV app to locate live broadcasts through connected streaming services.

The update also introduces several tournament-specific viewing tools inside the app. A new dedicated bracket view provides a clean, scrollable layout for viewing matchups and results from the group stage through the final. Enhanced game cards now display visual formations for each team's starting lineup, offering fans a clearer look at tactical setups before kickoff.

For additional coverage, Apple News integration gives users one-tap access to related headlines and editorial content. Oliver Schusser, Apple's vice president of Music, Sports, Apple TV, and Beats, said the global popularity of the World Cup made it the right moment to expand Apple Sports to more users worldwide while continuing to focus on speed and simplicity.

Apple Sports is available as a free download on the App Store. Live Activities require compatible devices running iOS 18 or later and watchOS 11 or later. Widgets on iPad require the compatible Apple Sports app, and Apple News integration is only available in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and Australia.


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