Just before the kick-off of the 2026 World Cup On June 11, Apple decided to give a gift to football fans and sports fans in general. The Cupertino company has just updated its application Apple Sportsby adding a highly anticipated functionality: a widget compatible with its on-board system. This integration now allows you to consult the live scores without taking your eyes off the road, transforming the car interface into a real sports dashboard.
What are the exact features of this new widget?
The main highlight of this update is the display of real-time scores for the teams and leagues that the user follows. Whether for the 2026 World Cup or other competitions, the widget integrates with the iOS 26 interface on CarPlay, allowing information to be displayed in a way clear and concise. Formula 1 fans even benefit from additional information, such as weather conditions on the circuit or track temperature.
It is possible to choose between a widget dedicated to a specific league or another that tracks your favorite teams. This flexibility allows personalize the experience according to his preferences. This new feature complements the “Live Activities” function which already displayed a more discreet notification on the CarPlay dashboard.
Is this integration really perfect?
Despite the enthusiasm, the first feedback highlights some notable flaws. The main criticism concerns a refresh delay scores. Unlike the app on iPhone, the CarPlay widget can lag for several minutes in updating information, which can be frustrating during a fast-paced match. This lack of responsiveness is a major weak point.
Apple Sports now lets you follow scores in a CarPlay widget. I love that the new CarPlay widgets interface is finally getting some Apple Sports love https://t.co/kjwrIXQnDr pic.twitter.com/2qvKjgZjtO
— Tom Warren (@tomwarren) April 21, 2026
Additionally, the display is highly dependent on the size and resolution of the vehicle’s screen. On some models, it is only possible to display one widget at a time, which limits the usefulness of the multi-interface.widget introduced with iOS 26. Compared to specialized applications like SofaScore, which does not offer a CarPlay widget but much faster “Live Activities”, the Apple Sports offer still seems pretty basic.
How does this announcement fit into the context of the World Cup?
The timing of this launch is obviously not trivial. Apple is capitalizing on the global enthusiasm for the 2026 World Cup to highlight its ecosystem. But the Cupertino company is not the only one preparing the ground. FIFA itself has established strategic partnerships with platforms like YouTube and TikTok.
These agreements will allow partner media to broadcast more online contentincluding live match clips on TikTok and even the first ten minutes of each match on YouTube. This cross-platform strategycombined with Apple’s efforts, aims to make the event more accessible than ever, whether you are in front of your television, on your smartphone or behind the wheel of your car via CarPlay.
