As the FIFA World Cup 2026 officially kicks off, Google has introduced a suite of features across Search, Maps, Waze, and Gemini to give fans real-time AI tracking and navigation during the mega tournament.
The most significant changes are coming directly to Google Search. While looking up standard queries like soccer will still bring up live scores, brackets, and standings, Google is introducing a lock screen pinning feature for both iOS and Android users. This allows fans to track live, minute by minute matches without ever unlocking their mobile devices.
Beyond basic scores, Google is using this massive global event to showcase its advanced AI Mode in Search. Subscribers to the premium AI Mode Pro and Ultra tiers can currently access agentic ticket booking tools and ask highly complex, conversational questions about tactics, player histories, and rule nuances.
For example, if you want to understand how a specific team’s formation shifts from defense to attack, AI Mode will build a customized, interactive visual directly inside your search results. Google confirmed that these generative user interface capabilities will roll out for free to all standard Search users later this summer.
The Gemini app is also receiving a massive sports injection. The digital assistant can now tap into real-time soccer databases and news feeds to provide up-to-the-minute highlights, statistics, and text summaries. Instead of giving you a standard block of text, Gemini can generate dynamic visual layouts, including auto-generated graphs and video clips of key plays.
For fans who want to participate in the tournament hype, Google is rolling out “Nano Banana” templates inside a new Images tab in Gemini. Users can upload a photo of themselves, and the AI will generate a realistic image of them wearing their country’s official jersey, celebrating inside a World Cup stadium.
For fans lucky enough to attend the games in person across Canada, the United States, and Mexico, Google Maps and Waze are getting tournament-specific updates. Google has refreshed its Street View imagery for many of the official host stadiums so travellers can scout out entrance gates and parking layouts before arriving.
Google Maps will also feature real-time updates on local road closures, expanded pedestrian zones, and public transit adjustments surrounding the venues.
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