The 2026 World Cup features 48 nations competing across the US, Canada, and Mexico. The BBC Sport app has launched new features for enhanced coverage, including live updates and 3D match experiences.
Key points
2026 World Cup features 48 nations
Hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico
BBC Sport app offers new features
Includes live updates and 3D experiences
Mentioned in this story
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World Cup
The 2026 World Cup is here and bigger than ever as 48 nations compete for the biggest prize in football in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
The BBC is home to the best coverage of the competition and we're going big too, with a host of new features released on the BBC Sport app so you can enjoy the World Cup like never before.
From live match updates on your lock screen to shortform video and even 3D match experiences, make sure the BBC Sport app is in your pocket throughout the tournament and beyond.
Here are some of the new features you can enjoy.
FIFA World Cup 3D experience
Illustration of BBC Sport's immersive 3D World Cup experienceImage source, BBC Sport
Image caption,
BBC Sport's 3D Experience for the World Cup
Ever wondered what it's like to be out there on the pitches at the World Cup in the USA, Canada and Mexico?
Or would you like to dig deep into the tactics, formations and movements of the world's elite football teams?
Well now you can with BBC Sport's World Cup 3D experience - an immersive tool allowing football fans to watch live matches, replays and highlights with complete control.
Pick your angle, rewind epic moments, and even relive goals from your favourite player's point of view on the pitch. See passes, runs, formations, strategies and goals, with the drama unfolding right in front of you.
You also get live match data and stats for the perfect second screen experience.
The feature will launch for host nation Canada's first match at the World Cup, when they face Bosnia & Herzegovina on Friday, 12 June at 20:00 BST.
Live match updates
Illustration of live match updates on BBC SportImage source, BBC Sport
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Q&A
What new features are available on the BBC Sport app for the World Cup?
The BBC Sport app now includes live match updates on the lock screen, shortform videos, and a 3D match experience.
How many nations are competing in the 2026 World Cup?
A total of 48 nations are competing in the 2026 World Cup.
Which countries are hosting the 2026 World Cup?
The 2026 World Cup is being hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
What is the significance of the 2026 World Cup expansion?
The expansion to 48 teams marks a significant increase in participation, making the World Cup the largest in its history.
See every story in News — including breaking news and analysis.
Live match updates from BBC Sport will keep football fans up to date with the World Cup scores they care about
The BBC Sport app is now making it easier than ever to keep track of your football team whenever they are playing with live match updates on your lock screen.
When your team is playing, the score will appear on your lock screen and update throughout the 90 minutes and beyond.
Simply follow your favourite teams and we'll do the rest.
Don't want that scoreline spoiled? Simply swipe away the live match updates and it will return next time your team is playing. Find out more.
BBC predictor game
Illustration of BBC Sport's World Cup predictor gameImage source, BBC Sport
Image caption,
BBC Sport's new predictor game gives fans the chance to test themselves during the World Cup
Put your football knowledge to the test and back your instincts by predicting all the World Cup results.
Get involved in BBC Sport's World Cup predictor game and compete against fans from across the globe.
Players will also have the chance to enter a prize draw to win an official World Cup football signed by members of the BBC World Cup team.
There will also be daily BBC Sport quizzes and a new Guess the World Cup Star game to keep you entertained while you wait for those late night kick offs.
Introducing BBC Shorts
Illustration of BBC Shorts on a mobile phoneImage source, BBC Sport
Image caption,
You can now watch more World Cup shortform video than ever with BBC Sport
Sporting drama is made to be watched - and you can do that easier than ever with the BBC's new shortform video service on the app.
Introducing BBC Shorts.
Dynamic, shortform video in fullscreen, vertical format for you to scroll through with just a swipe.
There will be breaking news, explainers, behind-the-scenes content, interviews, features and highlights from major sporting events.
No distractions. No spam. Just trusted, entertaining and informative sport videos from the teams covering the biggest stories across BBC Sport.
You can even make it your default experience on our app. Find out more.
New, improved search
Illustration of BBC Sport's new search functionImage source, BBC Sport
Image caption,
BBC Sport's new, revamped search function allows football fans to find more of the content they love
We've also been busy improving each area of the BBC Sport app and you can now find all the topics you love with our improved search function.
Search in the BBC Sport app can now return articles as well as topics, helping you find the latest stories, match build-up, reports, reaction and analysis more quickly during the World Cup.
You can also discover new features, videos and more about the topics you care about.
On iOS, tap the search icon, or "Search", depending on your version.
On Android, tap "All Sport" to open search.
Follow your country, your way with My Sport
If you're looking for coverage of a specific country at the top of your app, the easiest way to do that is by using My Sport.
Whether you want to specifically follow the fortunes of England, Scotland, or any other country taking part, here's the easy way to do it:
When you first go into the BBC Sport app, you'll be prompted to sign in or create an account.
When signed in, go to the My Sport tab at the bottom of the screen.
If you haven't already used My Sport, you'll be met with a screen telling you to "choose which topics to follow". Options include Scotland Sport, Scotland Men's Football Team and England Men's Football Team but also topics for a variety of countries from around the world, from Algeria to Uzbekistan.
If you have already set up My Sport, go to the My Sport tab and press Edit, and follow the same process.
Whichever you select, these will appear at the top of the Home tab when you open the app, and the latest stories from each will appear in the My Sport tab.
If you're a Scotland fan, if you're signed in to the BBC website with a Scottish postcode then you'll get additional Scotland content. Find out more here.
