WhatsApp, the Meta group’s communication platform, is anticipating the 2026 World Cup with a series of innovations to engage fans. The company announced the exchange of the traditional ball emoji for Trionda, the official sphere of the next World Cup, in addition to new effects in video calls and an exclusive hub to follow the matches in real time. The initiative aims to improve users’ experience during the tournament and reinforce the platform’s presence on the global sporting scene, competing for the attention of fans looking for dynamic interactions and accessible information about the event.
In a scenario of technological innovations for the elderly, dolls equipped with artificial intelligence promote interactivity and offer support to elderly people in South Korea, combating loneliness. In the context of major sporting events, TikTok also reinforces its strategy for the World Cup, signing a partnership with FIFA to strengthen ties with users connected to football.
The change to the ball emoji results from a collaboration agreement with Adidas. Trionda will remain on the app until the end of the World Championship. The symbol gains a special and interactive animation whenever it is sent in conversations or used as a reaction to messages.
Still in the package of new features, the platform controlled by Meta introduced themed effects for video calls, allowing users to insert football-related elements into their conversations. Additionally, a set of personalized stickers was launched, ideal for celebrating goals, victories and other important moments of the competition.
New hub offers detailed monitoring of World Cup games
Among the resources launched, a specific guide stands out, now accessible in the Channels tab. This tool centralizes important data about the teams, updated scores, match times and the main events of the tournament, consolidating itself as an essential access point for those who want to follow the World Cup directly through the application.
In another context of technological advances, workers in India are being paid to teach artificial intelligence robots to perform human tasks, such as cutting fabrics, folding clothes and preparing coffee, highlighting the potential of AI in everyday functions.
WhatsApp has also improved the connection between its channels and the Status functionality. Now, updates broadcast by channels can appear integrated with statuses shared by user contacts, increasing the visibility of content linked to the championship.
In the world of sports broadcasting, open TV stations and streaming platforms are engaged in a fierce competition to see who can broadcast the World Cup goals the fastest, in a race for the “spoiler” for viewers.
Meta reported that the company’s artificial intelligence (Meta AI) will be available to answer questions about the World Cup, providing data on players, game results and team classification. The company reaffirms that the privacy of personal calls and messages continues to be guaranteed by end-to-end encryption.
“Your moves, your views and your audio messages remain exclusively between you and the participants in the conversation”, assured the company in its official statement.
