Apple is pushing its Apple Sports app into a much bigger global spotlight, rolling it out to more than 170 countries and regions. That includes over 90 new markets added at once, arriving just as attention builds ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026™.
The idea is simple: give iPhone users a fast, no-fuss way to check live scores, stats and match updates without jumping between apps.
The timing isn’t accidental. With the World Cup on the horizon, Apple is leaning into features built specifically around following a tournament at scale.
Users can track the entire competition or follow selected national teams, with personalised scoreboards that keep the most relevant matches front and centre as games unfold in real time.
Once you’ve picked your teams, the app ties into Apple’s wider ecosystem. Live Activities bring score updates straight to the iPhone Lock Screen and Apple Watch, so you don’t need to open the app to stay updated.
Widgets on iPhone, iPad and Mac Home Screens also refresh in real time, while a direct link to the Apple TV app helps users quickly find where matches are being streamed.
There are also practical upgrades designed to make the tournament easier to follow day to day. A bracket view lets users track progress from the group stage through to the final,
On the other hand, redesigned match cards now include visual formations so users can see how teams are lining up before kick-off. Apple News integration adds a quick shortcut to headlines and coverage for those who want more context beyond the scores.
Apple’s vice president of Music, Sports, Apple TV and Beats, Oliver Schusser, says the World Cup is exactly the kind of global moment the app was built for, highlighting its focus on keeping things fast and simple for fans following live sport.
Apple Sports is a free download on the App Store and acts as a lightweight hub for keeping up with matches without the noise.
