Meta is turning its entire family of apps into a football hub this summer for the FIFA World Cup 2026, rolling out a host of new features across Instagram, WhatsApp, Facebook, Messenger, and Threads to help fans follow every moment of the tournament. The FIFA World Cup 2026 officially started on June 11th and will continue until July 19th.
FIFA World Cup 2026 features for Meta apps
Instagram is getting one of the biggest upgrades. A new enhanced search experience will surface dedicated tournament content, including top Reels, Stories, featured broadcasters, national teams, and fan posts in one place. The platform is also introducing an AI-powered “Goal!” voice effect in DMs, complete with surprise animations to make match reactions more fun.
WhatsApp, meanwhile, is doubling down on group chat experiences. The football emoji has been transformed into Adidas’ official Trionda match ball for the duration of the tournament, while new calling effects and football-themed sticker packs add extra personality to conversations. Meta is also launching a dedicated football directory featuring match countdowns, scores, highlights, and updates from official channels.
Facebook, Messenger
Facebook is embracing match-day celebrations with a new Football Mode that unlocks themed reactions, hidden surprises, a football mini-game, and even a custom app icon. Fans can also virtually try on their favourite national team’s jersey using AI-powered “Wear It” tools and share the results as Stories or profile pictures. Group chats on Messenger can now receive live match updates, including goals and red cards, while football-inspired chat themes and animated stickers bring the tournament atmosphere directly into conversations.
Threads
Threads is positioning itself as the destination for real-time football discussions. The app is introducing Live Chats hosted by personalities including Sergio Aguero and Ian Wright, alongside live scores, team flairs, custom emojis, stickers, and a dedicated football community.
Other popular social media apps like Snapchat have also introduced features like AR lenses for team and country-themed Lenses for over 20 national teams, Bitmoji merch, and more.
For fans looking for a highly interactive and visually rich World Cup experience, Meta’s integrated features offer a compelling reason to spend more time on their apps. However, if real-time breaking news and expert analysis are your priority, you might still find dedicated sports news apps or X more suitable.
