FIFA To Release New Mobile App for 2026 World Cup
Football has been the world’s most popular sport for a long time, but the competition it faces for our attention has never been greater. To see how the football industry can progress using the latest technology, we can look at how new technology can be implemented and how other entertainment sectors have been transformed to enhance the user experience while retaining the classic elements that made them popular in the first place.
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Using Technology for Greater Fan Engagement
The use of technology to boost fan engagement is at the heart of the growing popularity of sports around the planet. While our attention is often focused on the tech being used for video assistant referee (VAR) and player tracking wearables, more exciting technology is being rolled out to change the way we interact with football. Being able to watch the players right in front of you while you’re at home is something that’s getting more popular, but it’s just the start of a new era.
Various attempts have been made to increase football fan engagement through club apps, virtual reality (VR) and real-time interaction on social media. The next move we see in this direction could be the smart stadium experience, with enhanced WiFi connectivity and augmented reality used to create a unique experience for every supporter who goes there.
FIFA has recently announced that Globant has been brought on board to create a mobile app for the 2026 World Cup and other competitions, although full details of it haven’t yet been confirmed. This is part of a deal that will see the tech firm expand FIFA’s digital platforms.
Loyalty Programs and Bonuses
In the highly competitive casino market, bonuses and loyalty programs have proven to be vital in encouraging players to sign up and then keep playing. Many iGaming platforms offer a slots welcome bonus and ongoing offers, showing the different ways players can gain something extra. Prize draws, daily rewards and cash drops are all used to keep players engaging with the platform, as well as promotions like free spins that allow them to try new games too.
In football, the loyalty of fans is sometimes taken for granted, but the emergence of fan tokens is one of the most interesting ways that supporters are being encouraged to take part and gain extra benefits by doing so. This summary of the benefits enjoyed by Manchester City token holders reveals that they enjoyed pitchside tours, training session visits and even time in the hospitality boxes at the Etihad. Those supporters who hold tokens can also vote on subjects like new chants and team colours.
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Personalisation and Gamification
More personalisation and gamification are arguably the biggest factors in the way that retail, finance and casinos have moved online so successfully. Players can choose exactly how they want to play and can even join leaderboards on regular challenges. This means that an extra element of gamification is added.
The use of mobile apps and smart stadiums should help to increase the level of personalisation for fans who watch games. Live polls and quizzes are among the different ways that the matchday experience is gamified, but there’s no doubt that more could be done in this respect.
The smart approach to technology that’s been taken by other entertainment sectors reveals some of the most interesting ways that football teams and authorities might want to make the user experience even better.