On May 19, 2026, Apple announced that Apple Sports, its free iPhone app for following sports scores and standings in real time, has expanded to more than 90 new countries and regions, including Japan. The app is now available on the App Store in more than 170 countries and regions worldwide. To coincide with the FIFA World Cup 2026, which kicks off in June, Apple also added new features such as a tournament bracket and visual formations.
What Is Apple Sports
Apple Sports is a free, iPhone-only app that brings together scores, standings, and stats for your favorite teams and leagues[1]. Built around simplicity and display speed, it puts the teams and leagues you follow front and center as soon as you open it, so the information you want is easy to reach[1].
Until now, the app was available only in a limited number of countries and regions, but this expansion significantly widens its reach. Users in Japan can now download and use it for free from the App Store[1].
More Than 90 New Countries and Regions, Including Japan
The newly added regions include Japan as well as Australia, New Zealand, India, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, the Philippines, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and South Africa, spanning the Asia-Pacific, Middle East, and Africa[2]. With this expansion, Apple Sports is now available in a total of more than 170 countries and regions[1].
Oliver Schusser, Apple's vice president of Music, Sports, Apple TV, and Beats, said the World Cup, which unites fans around the world, is the ideal time to bring Apple Sports to even more users[1].
New Features for the 2026 World Cup
To coincide with the FIFA World Cup 2026, which kicks off in June, Apple Sports has added features designed to help fans enjoy the tournament.
One is the tournament bracket, a scrollable view of matchups and results from the group stage through the final, making it easy to track how far a team you support has advanced[1]. The other is visual formations, which show each team's starting lineup as a diagram on each game card, giving a visual sense of the tactics a team will use before kickoff[1].
If you follow a team, match updates appear in Live Activities on the iPhone Lock Screen and on Apple Watch, letting you check scores and other developments at a glance[1][2]. You can also add a widget to the Home Screen of an iPhone, iPad, or MacBook to follow the tournament's progress in real time[1]. A single tap in the app takes you to the Apple TV app, where you can watch available matches[1].
Note that Live Activities require a compatible device running iOS 18 or later and watchOS 11 or later, and the features available may vary by country or region[1].
Summary
Apple Sports has expanded to more than 90 new countries and regions, including Japan, and is now available in more than 170 countries and regions worldwide. New features such as the tournament bracket and visual formations have been added to help fans enjoy the World Cup that begins in June. Because the app is free and easy to use, it is worth a try for anyone who wants a more convenient way to follow soccer.
出典:https://www.macrumors.com/2026/05/19/apple-sports-app-2026-world-cup/
