World Cup 2026: AI Revolutionizes Fan Experience

A New Era for World Cup Fans Thanks to AI

The 2026 World Cup captivates millions of enthusiasts around the globe, and I am no exception. As a fervent supporter, I participate in viewing parties, proudly wearing the jersey of the American team. However, to enhance my experience, I no longer settle for discussions with my football-loving friends. Nowadays, many fans are turning to advanced technological tools, including chatbots. OpenAI and Google have launched innovative features to help viewers, whether casual or fervent, make the most of this global event.

ChatGPT: A Total Immersion in the World Cup

The popularity of ChatGPT continues to grow, as evidenced by the impressive number of 17 million World Cup-related queries recorded in the week leading up to the tournament. These queries go far beyond simple questions about scores. Users seek to understand the context of teams and players, explore schedules, discover stories, and obtain predictions about match outcomes.

To meet this demand, OpenAI has developed a dedicated World Cup experience on ChatGPT. This platform offers a personalized and interactive approach to following the tournament. Users can navigate through 48 country pages, providing a detailed overview of each team.

By accessing chatgpt.com/football, fans discover an interface similar to ChatGPT, enhanced with widgets dedicated to the World Cup. These widgets provide information on the latest news, rankings, upcoming matches, and notable opinions.

The main page presents a general overview of the teams but also allows exploration of the 48 country pages for specific details, such as the surprising results of Cape Verde against Spain and Uruguay. Users can ask questions about the impact of a particular result on their team's journey, get information on players to watch, and even generate images of fans for their favorite team.

OpenAI plans to add additional features, such as conversational brackets and tools to compare fans' choices with those of their friends. Image generation queries will also allow fans to create and share their own visuals of the World Cup.

Google: Tools for Real-Time World Cup Tracking

Google is also showcasing its tools to enhance the experience for football fans. Google Search, Maps, Waze, and the Gemini app are designed to facilitate access to live updates and help fans navigate effectively on match days.

Google Search has been optimized to provide real-time updates on football, including scores, lineups, rankings, and stories. Users can pin live match scores to their iOS or Android lock screen by following a match or a team.

The AI Mode in Search allows for deeper knowledge by answering complex questions about rules, players, and teams. It also offers the ability to generate interactive visuals on topics like formations, with a generative user interface initially available for AI Pro/Ultra Mode, and then for everyone in Search this summer.

For those in host cities for the matches, Maps and Waze provide up-to-date information on traffic and routes, including road closures, pedestrian zones, and transport options. Waze also displays live score updates when the car is stopped.

The Gemini app allows users to search for live information on matches and view highlights as the action unfolds. The AI generates visual elements, transforming text results into visual outcomes.

Where to Watch the World Cup

For those wishing to watch the matches, each game is broadcast in English on Fox and FS1, while Spanish-language matches are available on Telemundo and Universo, accessible via Peacock. CNET also provides information on the most economical streaming options to follow each match.