TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - In anticipation of the 2026 World Cup, Meta is introducing a variety of new features across Threads, Instagram, Facebook, Messenger, and WhatsApp to help fans follow the games and express support for their favorite teams.
Meta is collaborating with creators, athletes, national teams, commentators, and broadcasters to deliver real-time match-related content and conversations across its platforms.
"As the place where football conversation lives and grow, Meta’s suite of apps will allow billions of fans across the globe to connect and enjoy the highs and lows of the beautiful game together," said Meta's Global Football Lead, Rob Pilgrim, in a statement received by Antara in Jakarta on Thursday.
On Threads, Meta is introducing a Live Chats feature that allows users to participate in live discussions with commentators, athletes, and creators before, during, and after matches.
Former Argentina national team striker Sergio Aguero and former England striker Ian Wright are scheduled to host three Live Chat sessions each during the tournament.
In addition, Threads also features a dedicated soccer community, real-time match scores, national team flag attributes on user profiles, 2026 World Cup-themed sticker packs, custom emojis, match reminders, and highlights of trending conversations.
Meanwhile, Instagram has updated its search feature to make it easier for users to find a variety of content related to the 2026 World Cup.
Users who search for specific topics or tap on soccer content will be directed to a dedicated page featuring Reels, Stories, official national team accounts, broadcasters, sponsors, and even fan-generated content in real time.
Instagram also introduced an artificial intelligence (AI)-based sound effect themed "Goal!" in its direct messages (DM) feature to add excitement when chatting with friends about the match.
On Facebook, Meta introduced Football Mode, allowing users to activate a soccer-themed app interface. There's also the AI-powered Wear It feature, allowing users to virtually try on World Cup team jerseys and then share them as profile photos, Stories, or posts.
Messenger also received a Live Updates feature that delivers live match information to chat groups, including goals, red cards, and other key moments. The platform also introduced special soccer chat themes and 2026 World Cup-themed sticker packs.
On WhatsApp, Meta partnered with Adidas to introduce the official 2026 World Cup ball, the Trionda, in the form of a special emoji that can be used in chats.
WhatsApp also added soccer-themed video call effects, a special sticker pack, a soccer directory containing scores and match information, and support for channels to share updates via the Status feature.
In addition to introducing new features, Meta is also strengthening its protection efforts for athletes and fans from potential online fraud and harassment, which often increase during major sporting events.
The company is preparing several security updates, including in-app reminders for users searching for match tickets and enhanced protection features to help users stay safe while following the 2026 World Cup through Meta services.
Read: World Cup Prediction: Will South Korea Silence Mexico's Home Crowd?
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