World Cup 2026 fans in the U.S., Canada and Mexico can now see live match scores flash on their phone screens even when the BBC Sport app is closed. The alerts, powered by BBC Sport’s mobile platform, will push goal updates, substitutions and final whistle notifications to lock screens automatically.
The new feature covers all 104 World Cup games, ensuring supporters never miss a moment of the tournament. Alerts are personalized—users choose which teams to follow—and will appear for the full match window, from one hour before kickoff to minutes after the final whistle.
| Device | Alert Type | How to Enable |
|---|---|---|
| iPhone | Automatic lock-screen banners | Follow team in BBC Sport app |
| Android | Push notifications | Enable notifications in app and device settings |
Fans on Apple devices receive alerts without any setup, as long as they follow their chosen team in the BBC Sport app. Android users must manually activate notifications in both the app and device settings to receive live updates.
💡 Pro Tip
Turn off alerts for non-essential teams to avoid lock-screen clutter during knockout rounds.
The system is designed to minimize disruption, with alerts disappearing automatically after each match. Users can also dismiss individual updates with a swipe, or disable the feature entirely in device settings without unfollowing teams.
📋 By The Numbers
- 104 — Matches covered live across 16 days
- 3 — Countries receiving alerts: U.S., Canada, Mexico
- 26 — Teams supported for personalization
BBC Sport’s move reflects a broader shift toward frictionless access, catering to fans juggling work, travel or other commitments. The feature is free and requires only the BBC Sport app—no additional subscriptions or hardware.
- Download — Install BBC Sport app from Apple App Store or Google Play
- Sign In — Create or log into a BBC account within the app
- Follow — Select teams using the football section and tap “+ Follow”
The tournament kicks off in Los Angeles on June 11, with defending champions Argentina facing Saudi Arabia in the first match. With live alerts active from the opening whistle, fans will never miss a tackle, goal or celebration.