Apple's After the Whistle Podcast Returns for World Cup

Apple has announced that its sports-focused podcast, "After the Whistle with Brendan Hunt and Rebecca Lowe," will return for a third season on June 7 [1][2]. The new season is timed to coincide with the 2026 FIFA World Cup and will feature both audio and video episodes released multiple times a week following key matches [1][2].

Key takeaways

• The podcast returns for a third season starting June 7 to cover the 2026 FIFA World Cup [1][2].
• Hosts Brendan Hunt and Rebecca Lowe will recap games in audio and video formats on Apple platforms [1][2].
• The show is produced by Apple News and presented by Verizon [2][3].
• Apple Sports and Apple News will provide supplementary tournament coverage like scores and brackets [2][4].

World Cup coverage kicks off June 7

The upcoming season will premiere on June 7 with an episode dedicated to tournament previews, running throughout the duration of the World Cup [1][2]. Brendan Hunt, an actor and cocreator of the Apple TV+ series Ted Lasso, will co-host alongside Rebecca Lowe, who hosts NBC Sports’ Premier League coverage and cohosts FOX Sports’ FIFA World Cup 2026 broadcast [2][3]. The hosts plan to break down significant games and discuss off-pitch moments, with new episodes landing in the hours following notable matches [2][4].

Eddy Cue, Apple’s senior vice president of Services and Health, stated that the hosts have a unique ability to capture the energy of the tournament [2]. Hunt remarked that the World Cup is guaranteed to leave him an "emotional wreck," while Lowe noted that their conversations often include "hysterical laughter" or tears [2]. The program will be accessible on Apple News, Apple Podcasts, and other major podcast platforms [1][4].

Apple expands sports ecosystem for the tournament

Beyond the podcast, Apple is updating its apps to support World Cup tracking. The Apple News app will feature coverage from third-party publishers, alongside schedules, scores, brackets, and player feeds [2][4]. Additionally, the free Apple Sports app will offer live scores, statistics, and a bracket view for the tournament [2].

To accommodate global interest in the event, Apple recently expanded the Apple Sports app to more than 90 additional countries and regions [2][3]. This expansion brings the app's total availability to 170 countries and regions worldwide [2][4]. The podcast is produced by Apple News and presented by Verizon [2][3].

Why it matters

The return of "After the Whistle" signals Apple's continued effort to integrate original audio programming with major live sporting events to drive engagement within its services ecosystem [1][2]. By pairing the podcast with enhanced features in the Apple News and Apple Sports apps, the company aims to establish a centralized hub for fans following the tournament [2][3]. However, observers have noted that Apple's strategy regarding the branding and distribution of its original podcasts remains somewhat unclear [1].