Google is rolling out a bunch of updates across all platforms to make it easier for fans to follow the FIFA World Cup starting November 20. These include a daily featured video from TV networks, personalized notifications, a dedicated section on Google TV, and a multiplayer game.
As with any sport, you can search with phrases like "FIFA World Cup" or "World Cup" and you'll get the most recent tournament results. You can subscribe to tournament notifications by pressing the bell icon. Additionally, you can subscribe to individual device alerts in the notification menu. The scores of these world cup soccer matches will also show live statistics and winning probability graphs.
If users want to follow individual matches but don't want to check for updates every time, they can pin the scores to the home screen.. To do that, they can tap on the “Set Live Score” option in the score panel for an upcoming match in progress. Notably, these functions are also available for other tournaments and sports.
Google has partnered with FIFA+ and official broadcasters including beIN Sports, BBC, ZDF and more to show daily video highlights in the match section. So if you've missed some key moments, you can easily catch up.
The search giant will soon add the ability to rate a player based on how users think they will perform in the tournament. They can also compare these scores with other players.
Google usually adds a little game browser-based for big events like this and the World Cup is no exception. Once the real life match is set up with the lineups, you can choose a team and try to score as many goals as possible in the game. The scores of players from around the world will be added to that team's total. You will also see that score as you play the game.
The company is adding a new tag for businesses that will help users discover places that show world cup matches. When you search for “Where to watch the world cup near me”, you will see a label that says “Showing the world cup” in the list of bars and restaurants in Search and Maps. This tag will be released just before the world cup and businessmen will be able to apply for it at that time.
YouTube TV subscribers will be able to watch the world cup on FOX and FS1 with in-game features like highlights, stats and real-time scores. They can also stream these matches in ultra-high definition if they have subscribed to the 4K Plus add-on. Google TV will show live matches in the “For You” tab and will add a new row showing world cup content from partners like FIFA+, ITV, Peacock, Telemundo and ViX.
