Ammon News - Apple Sports is getting a big expansion, and the timing is just perfect for football fans. Apple has announced that its free sports app for iPhone is now available in more than 170 countries and regions, after adding over 90 new markets. But the real highlight is a set of new features dedicated to the FIFA World Cup 2026. The company is making changes to appeal to a much larger audience for a tournament that will dominate the sports calendar.

Apple Sports started as a simple app to keep sports fans up to date with scores, and this still seems to be the core idea. The app is designed around real-time scores, stats, favorite teams, and various leagues, with Apple leaning on the “speed and simplicity” angle. The more interesting part is how Apple is using the World Cup to make the app feel more essential. Users can follow the entire tournament or pick specific national teams, which then customizes their scoreboard around the matches they care about.

It’s a new World Cup mode
The biggest new addition is a tournament bracket view, which gives fans a clean, scrollable way to track matchups and results from the group stage through the final. It should make Apple Sports more useful once the tournament starts moving quickly and teams start hitting the knockout stage.

Apple is also adding visual formations to enhanced game cards, showing each team’s starting lineup in a more tactical layout before matches. This brings a nice touch for fans who want more than a scoreline, especially during a World Cup where lineup decisions can turn into national debates in minutes.

Following a team also enables Live Activities on the iPhone Lock Screen and Apple Watch, so fans can keep up with a match at a glance. Apple says users can also add widgets on iPhone, iPad, and MacBook Home Screens to track tournament progress in real time.

There’s also a one-tap shortcut into the Apple TV app to find live matches through connected streaming services, although some services will still require subscriptions, and availability will vary by region. Apple News integration is also included for editorial coverage, limited to markets where Apple News is available.

Digital Trends