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6 Easy Ways to Enjoy the 2026 World Cup with Google and Gemini
If there is one thing that brings everyone together across the country, it is the beautiful game of football. The energy is always on a different level. From the passionate debates in local viewing centers to the excitement shared across social media, football is more than just a sport for us—it’s a major part of how we connect and share moments with friends and family.
Google and Gemini
As the FIFA World Cup 2026™ kicks off across North America, the excitement is already building up everywhere. But let’s be honest: life moves fast, and keeping up with every single goal and update can feel like a full-time job. You don’t want to be the one asking for the score long after the game is over.
The good news is that technology has made it easier than ever to stay in the loop. Google and Gemini have introduced some very useful tools to bring you right into the heart of the action, whether you’re a serious analyst or just here for the fun. From pinning live scores to your phone screen to using AI to see yourself as a pro player, here are 6 ways to experience the World Cup like a boss.
1. Get Match Updates “Sharp-Sharp” on Your Screen
We’ve all been in that situation where we are busy with other things but dying to know the latest score. You don’t need to keep searching and refreshing heavy pages that drain your data. Now, when you search for soccer, it’s much faster to see real-time information about the game, including visuals for live scores, lineups, and current standings.
The best part is the pinning feature. You can actually pin a match’s live score directly to your Android or iOS device’s lock screen just by following that match or team. This means you can see the score at a glance without even needing to unlock your phone. You’ll even get updates before the match starts and after it ends.
How to set it up: Search for your favorite team or a specific match on Google and tap the option to “follow” them. This pins the score to your lock screen so you get updates automatically before and after each game.
2. Settle the Arguments with AI
Arguments about football rules or player stats are a huge part of the fun. Instead of going back and forth with friends, let AI Mode in Search give you the facts. You can use AI Mode for all sorts of things, from asking complex questions about specific rules to finding deep details about players and teams.
If you’re trying to understand a coach’s strategy, you can ask AI Mode to create an interactive visual for you—for instance, a breakdown of soccer formations and when a coach might use them. While these interactive features are for Pro and Ultra subscribers now, they will be free for everyone in Search by the summer.
How to use it: Open Google Search and type your deep football questions directly into the prompt bar. You can then specifically ask it to “create an interactive visual” to help explain things like team formations.
3. Find the Perfect Place to Watch with “Ask Maps”
Sometimes the best way to watch a match is at a viewing party with other fans. If you’re looking for a great spot to join the fun, the Ask Maps feature is here to help. You can just type something like, “Find me a reservation for 4 at 7:30 p.m., somewhere I can watch the World Cup match and meet other fans.”
To help you get there on time, Google Maps and Waze provide the latest information on road closures and transit routes so you can navigate the games with confidence. Also, for the first time on Waze, you can see live score updates at a glance whenever your car is at a stop.
How to use it: In the Google Maps app, use the “Ask Maps” feature to request a reservation at a place specifically for watching the match. If you are driving with Waze, simply bring your car to a stop to see live scores on your dashboard.
4. Catch Up on the Latest Gist Every Morning
For those who can’t stay up late to watch every game, there’s a perfect way to wake up to the news. If you have a Gemini Plus, Pro, or Ultra subscription, you can use Scheduled Actions to receive a daily summary of international soccer news.
This summary is completely tailored to you. You can customize the briefing to focus only on your favorite teams and players, and choose exactly when you want it delivered.
How to set it up: Open Gemini Settings, tap “Scheduled actions,” and select the soccer news digest template. Customize it with your team names and your preferred time to receive your summary every day.
5. Become the Star of Your Own Match Photos
Ever wondered what you would look like as a professional football star? The new Nano Banana templates in the Gemini app let you put yourself right into the action. You just upload a photo of yourself to these custom scenes, and you can see yourself celebrating in a massive stadium or making a hero’s diving goal-line save.
The generated image will even show you wearing your country’s colors or the official jersey. These fun templates are rolling out in the “Images” tab in Gemini.
How to use it: In the Gemini app, go to the “Images” tab, tap the “+” icon, and click “Create image.” Upload your photo to one of the custom soccer scenes to see yourself repped in the official jersey.
6. Get the Full Match Experience in One Place
Finally, Gemini can now act as your personal dashboard for the entire tournament. The app references live match information and news to give you the latest scores, highlights, and standings as they happen.
For many topics, Gemini goes beyond just text by creating visual elements like stats, images, and videos. This transforms a simple response into a dynamic “Matchday Hub” where you can see all the action at once.
How to use it: Ask Gemini for a match update or current standings to automatically open your “Matchday Hub.” The app will immediately show you a mix of live scores, highlights, and stats for the game you asked about.
The World Cup is all about sharing the excitement, and with these Google and Gemini tools, you won’t miss a beat. Whether you’re pinning live scores to your screen or seeing yourself in the official jersey, there’s a tool for every fan. Set up your updates, grab your friends, and get ready for a month of pure football magic. No stress, just vibes!
MTN Nigeria has alerted the public to a fraudulent 25GB anniversary data offer currently circulating across social media and messaging platforms.
In an official advisory published on its support handle on X at the weekend, the telco warned customers against interacting with unverified links, sharing private credentials, or making payments to access the supposed anniversary promotion.
According to MTN, the official 25GB anniversary freebie is only accessible via the MTN eShop and the MyMTN NG App.
In the post, the company said, “Please beware of fake MTN 25th Anniversary 25GB giveaway offers circulating online.
“The official MTN 25GB Anniversary Giveaway is available ONLY via the MyMTN NG App and MTN eShop.
“Do not click on links, share your personal information or make payments on any other platform claiming to offer the giveaway.
“Only trust official MTN channels.”
In a different post, the provider explained how eligible subscribers could access the legitimate MTN data giveaway.
The company said, “Log in to the MyMTN App and tap ‘Redeem Now’ on the anniversary banner or via the MTN eShop.
“To access the 25GB offer, kindly visit the MyMTN App or the MTN E-Shop and follow the prompts to activate the bundle, if you are eligible for the offer.
“You may also click on the link contained in the SMS notification you received regarding the offer.”
To safely claim the reward, the telecom operator advised subscribers to rely strictly on details published through its official communication channels.
MTN added that the complimentary 25GB data allocation remains valid until 11:59 p.m. on the designated expiration date, urging eligible customers to redeem the package before it expires.
The warning follows a wave of viral posts and link-sharing schemes falsely offering free data under the guise of the company’s 25th-anniversary celebration.
Consequently, users are strongly cautioned against engaging with unauthorized platforms or providing sensitive personal information and fees to third-party sites claiming to offer the promotional data.
Nigeria is strengthening its position as a leading digital economy in Africa as it prepares to host the second edition of GITEX Nigeria, against projections that the continent’s artificial intelligence (AI) economy could generate up to $1 trillion in economic value by 2035.
GITEX Nigeria
GITEX Nigeria, described as West Africa’s largest technology, AI and startup event, is scheduled to hold in Abuja and Lagos from Aug. 31 to Sept. 3, under the patronage of President Bola Tinubu.
The event is supported by the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy in collaboration with the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), endorsed by the Lagos State Government and organised by KAOUN International.
With the theme, “Beyond Connectivity: The Bridge to Sovereign Innovation,” the 2026 edition is expected to bring together global technology companies, investors, policymakers, regulators, startups and other stakeholders to advance Nigeria’s digital transformation agenda.
According to the organisers, the event will focus on strengthening digital resilience, scaling AI infrastructure, attracting strategic investments and building partnerships to support digital sovereignty across Nigeria and West Africa.
Nigeria’s progress in digital skills development is expected to feature prominently at the event, with the Federal Government’s 3 Million Technical Talent (3MTT) programme highlighted as a major intervention.
The programme has recorded 1.87 million registrations across all 774 local government areas, while more than 135,000 Nigerians have been trained through three cohorts.
The programme has also extended learning opportunities to more than 300,000 people through community resources and created 15,000 job and opportunity pathways, according to figures released by the organisers.
Another key initiative, Project BRIDGE, is aimed at expanding Nigeria’s national ICT backbone and improving connectivity in underserved communities.
The project is expected to create up to 20,000 direct jobs and more than 150,000 indirect jobs, train 5,000 Nigerian youths, raise internet penetration above 70 per cent and extend high-speed connectivity to millions of households, businesses, schools and hospitality establishments.
Dr Bosun Tijani, Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, said Nigeria’s objective was to build the foundations for digital sovereignty and a globally competitive AI-powered economy.
“Building on the momentum forged through the implementation of Project BRIDGE, our national blueprint for expanding digital infrastructure and connecting communities across Nigeria, our aspiration ahead of this year’s edition is clear: to solidify the foundations Africa needs for digital sovereignty, technological self-determination, and a globally competitive AI-powered economy,” Tijani said.
He said Nigeria was seeking to promote equitable access, accelerate cross-continental progress and position the country as a producer and exporter of digital technologies and AI solutions.
The GITEX Nigeria Government Leadership and AI Summit will open in Abuja on Aug. 31, bringing together ministers, governors and regulators to discuss digital public infrastructure and other issues shaping West Africa’s digital economy.
The GITEX Nigeria Tech Expo and Future Economy Conference, as well as the Startup Festival, will also return for the second consecutive year.
A new component, FDX Nigeria by GITEX, will focus on finance and digital asset exchange, with the organisers describing it as a platform designed to promote financial inclusion and connect emerging technology with global capital.
Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State said the state remained central to Africa’s digital transformation, noting its role in attracting talent, capital and innovation.
He said hosting GITEX Nigeria would further support Lagos’ ambition of becoming a smarter, more connected and globally competitive economy.
Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, Director-General of NITDA, said Nigeria’s digital future would depend not only on technology adoption but also on resilience, trust and effective governance frameworks.
“GITEX NIGERIA seamlessly complements this mandate, creating a unique environment for the dialogue needed to accelerate responsible AI adoption, develop a secure digital economy, and unlock new opportunities for innovation and economic growth,” Abdullahi said.
He said the expertise, investment and partnerships generated through the event would contribute to building an AI ecosystem that was secure, inclusive and capable of supporting Nigeria and West Africa’s long-term competitiveness.
The organisers said Nigeria’s National AI Strategy, 3MTT programme and Project BRIDGE were among initiatives strengthening the country’s capacity in talent development, digital infrastructure, investment attraction and responsible AI adoption.
They said GITEX Nigeria would provide an avenue for global stakeholders to establish partnerships and develop solutions capable of accelerating the region’s digital transformation.
Trixie LohMirmand, CEO of GITEX, said the event was intended to demonstrate that West Africa was ready to convert technological ambition into economic growth, resilience and global competitiveness.
She said GITEX Nigeria would facilitate strategic conversations and partnerships aimed at strengthening regional competitiveness and unlocking scalable growth across Nigeria and West Africa.
Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and the Enugu State Government have signed an agreement for the operational lease of the NCC Digital Industrial Park and NCC Learning Centre in Enugu.
The agreement was witnessed by Dr Aminu Maida, Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the NCC, alongside members of the Commission’s Board and Management.
The development is expected to strengthen digital innovation, skills development and technology-driven opportunities in the state.
As part of the engagement, the NCC delegation also visited the Enugu Smart School Initiative, where technology is being integrated into teaching and learning.
The initiative is aimed at equipping young Nigerians with relevant digital skills and preparing them for future opportunities in an increasingly technology-driven economy.
The NCC said it remained committed to supporting initiatives that expand digital inclusion, strengthen innovation and develop the talent required to drive Nigeria’s digital transformation.
The Commission said partnerships with state governments and other stakeholders were critical to creating an enabling environment for digital skills development and technology adoption across the country.
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