As the FIFA World Cup 2026 kicks off across North America, Google has rolled out a set of new features across Search, Maps, Waze, and the Gemini app to help fans follow the tournament[1]. From checking the latest scores to navigating to a venue and revisiting the day's highlights, the updates connect every part of the experience so you can enjoy the matches whether or not you are at the stadium. A standout theme this time is the generative AI built into Search and Gemini.

Real-time scores and standings in Search

With this update, searching for soccer-related terms now brings real-time information such as live scores, lineups, standings, brackets, related stories, and social posts to your fingertips faster than before[1]. For example, if you look up "Mexico vs. South Africa" mid-match, you can see both teams' scores and standings along with a carousel of other live match information.

You can also pin a match's live score to the lock screen of your iOS or Android device by following a specific match or team. Live updates arrive automatically before and after each game, so you can keep up without even opening an app.

Going deeper with AI Mode

For more in-depth questions, you can use AI Mode in Search. It is designed for everything from agentic ticket booking — where an AI agent handles the process on your behalf — to complex questions about rules, players, and teams[1].

Say you want to learn about different soccer formations and when a coach might use each one. Ask AI Mode and it can generate an interactive visual tailored to your question. These generative UI capabilities — which build an interface dynamically to match your question — are currently available to AI Mode Pro and Ultra subscribers. According to Google, they will become available to everyone in Search this summer, free of charge.

Navigating and watching with Maps and Waze

Google Maps and Waze cover the trip to the venue as well. Both services provide the latest information on traffic, road closures, pedestrian zones, transit routes, and more to support your travel on match day[1]. Street View imagery has been updated for many of the stadiums hosting matches, so you can get a feel for the surroundings before you arrive. And for the first time on Waze, you can glance at live score updates whenever your car is stopped.

Fans without a stadium ticket are not left out either. Ask Google Maps something like, "Find me a reservation for 4 at 7:30 p.m., somewhere I can watch the World Cup match and meet other fans," and it will help you track down the perfect viewing party nearby.

Gemini generates highlights and "be a player" images

The Gemini app has gained World Cup support too. Gemini can now reference live soccer games and news, answering with the latest scores, highlights, standings, and more as the action unfolds[1]. For certain topics, it generates new visual elements such as stats, images, and videos, turning a standard text reply into a visual, dynamic matchday hub.

A feature likely to draw attention is a new set of templates for the image generator "Nano Banana." Just upload a photo and you can place yourself into a match scene as a player on your favorite team. The idea is to picture yourself celebrating in a stadium wearing your country's colors or official jersey, or making a diving save on the goal line. These templates are rolling out globally over the coming weeks and can be used from Gemini's new Images tab. To start, just tap the "+" in the prompt bar and choose "Create image."

In addition, Plus, Pro, and Ultra subscribers can use "Scheduled Actions" in the Gemini app to receive a morning briefing on international soccer news. You can customize it by focusing on your teams and favorite players, and by choosing the time and frequency, which makes it convenient. To set it up, open "Settings" within Gemini, go to "Scheduled actions," and head to the soccer news digest template.

Summary

The set of features Google has introduced covers a broad range of the viewing experience: live scores in Search, deeper dives into tactics and tickets via AI Mode, travel support from Maps and Waze, and highlight generation plus "be a player" images from Gemini. Many of them will expand from here, such as the free rollout of generative UI to all users and the worldwide release of the Nano Banana templates. Whether at the stadium or in front of a TV, the tools to enjoy the World Cup more through AI are now coming together.

出典:https://blog.google/products-and-platforms/products/search/fifa-world-cup-google-tools-2026/