# Apple's After the Whistle Podcast Returns for World Cup

**Published:** 2026-05-27T10:02:12.000Z  
**Topic:** Apple News  
**Sentiment:** neutral  
**Publisher:** TrendWatcher — https://www.trendwatcher.in/article/bba4a743-48c8-4d26-872c-4308b837946a

Apple's After the Whistle podcast returns June 7 for a third season to cover the 2026 FIFA World Cup with hosts Brendan Hunt and Rebecca Lowe.

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].

## Sources
1. 9to5Mac — [After the Whistle podcast returns for World Cup with Ted Lasso star](https://9to5mac.com/2026/05/27/after-the-whistle-podcast-returns-for-world-cup-with-ted-lasso-star/)
2. Mactrast — [‘After the Whistle with Brendan Hunt and Rebecca Lowe’ Podcast Returns for World Cup](https://www.mactrast.com/2026/05/after-the-whistle-with-brendan-hunt-and-rebecca-lowe-podcast-returns-for-world-cup/)
3. MacRumors — [Apple's 'After the Whistle' Podcast to Return for World Cup](https://www.macrumors.com/2026/05/27/after-the-whistle-podcast-to-return/)
4. Iphoneincanada — [Apple’s After the Whistle Podcast Returns to... | iPhone in Canada](https://www.iphoneincanada.ca/2026/05/27/apples-after-the-whistle-podcast-2026-fifa-world-cup/)
5. Zacks — [Apple (AAPL) Boosts Apple News Content With Popular... - Zacks.com](https://www.zacks.com/stock/news/2119255/apple-aapl-boosts-apple-news-content-with-popular-podcast)

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Cite as: TrendWatcher, "Apple's After the Whistle Podcast Returns for World Cup", https://www.trendwatcher.in/article/bba4a743-48c8-4d26-872c-4308b837946a