Apple has officially expanded its Apple Sports app to more than 90 additional countries and regions ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026. The move significantly increases the app’s global availability, with Apple Sports now accessible in over 170 countries worldwide.
The expansion comes alongside a major update focused on improving the experience for football fans during the upcoming FIFA World Cup 2026 tournament.
Apple Sports Goes Global
The free Apple Sports app was originally launched with limited regional availability, mainly targeting users in select markets. With the latest update, Apple is now bringing the app to users across a much wider international audience.
Apple says the app is designed for:
- Real-time scores
- Live statistics
- Personalized sports tracking
- Fast and minimal interface navigation
The company is positioning Apple Sports as a central hub for live sports coverage across iPhone devices.
New FIFA World Cup 2026 Features
The latest version of Apple Sports introduces several football-focused tools specifically built for the FIFA World Cup 2026.
Tournament Bracket View
Fans will be able to follow:
- Group-stage standings
- Knockout-stage progression
- Match results
- Team advancement paths
Apple says the bracket system is designed with a clean scrollable layout for easier tournament tracking.
Visual Team Formations
A new visual formations feature will display starting lineups and tactical formations before matches begin. This gives users a deeper tactical view of each game directly inside the app.
Live Activities and Widgets
Apple Sports now supports:
- Live Activities on iPhone Lock Screen
- Apple Watch live updates
- Home Screen widgets for iPhone, iPad, and Mac
These additions allow fans to monitor matches and live scores without constantly opening the app.
Integration With Apple TV and Apple News
Apple is also expanding ecosystem integration inside the Sports app. Users can:
- Jump directly to live matches through the Apple TV app
- Access football news and editorial coverage via Apple News
This creates a more connected viewing and sports-following experience across Apple services.
Apple Executive Statement
Oliver Schusser, Apple’s Vice President of Music, Sports, Apple TV, and Beats, said the global popularity of the World Cup made it the ideal moment to expand the Sports app internationally.
According to Apple, the focus remains on providing:
- Fast performance
- Simple navigation
- Personalized sports tracking
- Real-time updates
FIFA World Cup 2026 Will Be Bigger Than Ever
The FIFA World Cup 2026 will be the first edition featuring 48 national teams instead of 32. The tournament will be hosted jointly by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
Because of the tournament’s global scale, Apple appears to be using the event to accelerate the worldwide rollout of its sports ecosystem.
Availability
The Apple Sports app is available as a free download for iPhone users through the App Store.
Apple Sports Newsroom Announcement
The update is expected to make Apple Sports more competitive against sports apps from Google, ESPN, SofaScore, and other live-score platforms ahead of the 2026 World Cup season.