The 2026 World Cup began with a bang in Mexico City as co-hosts Mexico beat South Africa 2-0 in a game that saw three players sent off – two in controversial fashion. Julian Quinones scored the first goal of the tournament, while Shakira and Burna Boy had earlier kicked off the party at a star-studded opening ceremony.
As the action unfolded in the Estadio Azteca, the BBC quietly launched a feature designed to keep fans glued to their phones. The broadcaster’s Sport app now offers live match updates that appear directly on the phone’s lock screen – meaning users can track every goal without unlocking their device.
“Mexico beat South Africa 2-0 with three red cards as BBC Sport launches lock screen alerts for World Cup.”
“You can keep track of every match wherever you are – whether you’re on the move, at work, or away from a TV,” the BBC said. “With live match updates on your lock screen, the score is always just a glance away.”
The feature works differently on Apple and Android devices. Apple users simply need to follow a team while signed into the BBC Sport app to opt in; Android users must also ensure notifications are turned on in their device settings. Updates appear from about an hour before kick-off and disappear automatically after the match ends. Users can turn off live updates at any time without unfollowing their teams.
The launch comes as the biggest World Cup yet takes place across the United States, Canada and Mexico. Alongside lock screen alerts, BBC Sport is providing live TV coverage, highlights, analysis and reaction, as well as a new World Cup predictor game.
Elsewhere in Group A, South Korea joined Mexico at the top of the table after a 2-1 comeback win over Czechia, inspired by In-beom Hwang.