FIFA World Cup 2026™ To Feature Audio Descriptive Commentary
FIFA is dedicated to making sure that all fans — including those with disabilities and their families and friends — have an excellent experience at this year’s FIFA World Cup™.
Featuring 48 teams for the first time, this year’s tournament will be more inclusive than ever — not only expanding participation among nations, but also enhancing accessibility for fans with disabilities through expanded resources designed to make the matchday experience truly memorable.
Some initiatives build on activations used successfully at the FIFA Club World Cup 2025™, such as sensory bags and audio-descriptive commentary.
Audio-descriptive commentary
Audio-descriptive commentary (ADC) will be available for all FIFA World Cup 2026 matches, as well as the opening and closing ceremonies. This service enhances the match experience for blind and low vision fans. Commentators provide narration beyond standard radio commentary, describing key visual elements of the match, such as body language, facial expressions, the on-pitch action and the movement of the ball.
For matches in Canada, commentary will be available in English and French. For matches in the United States and Mexico, commentary will be available in English and Spanish. Fans can access the ADC broadcast through the FIFA Audio Description app, available on the Google Play Storeor Apple App Store.
The app is designed primarily for in-stadium attendees specifically, but is available to anyone interested in using it for the matches. It is a free app on the Google Play or Apple App Store. The app will provide a full commentarytrack with a descriptive broadcast from beginning to end. It is not necessary to use the app in conjunction with the Fox Sports broadcast,or in lieuof any other radio broadcast. Consumers will have a couple of options: listen to the app as a stand-alone experience, or they can combine the app with the TV experience. Be aware that listening to the ADC (which will be in real time) while having the game on tv may not be synced up exactly due to TV broadcast delays.
Accessible innovations
Following a successful debut at the Club World Cup 2025, haptic devices will return for the FIFA World Cup 2026, with units deployed across stadiums in Dallas, New York New Jersey, Seattle and Vancouver for select matches.
These haptic devices enable blind and low-vision fans to feel the game as it unfolds in real time, translating live match action into tactile and audio feedback so that every goal, every tackle and every moment of play is accessible from the stands.
Tournament app accessibility
The FIFA tournament app is designed with accessibility in mind to help all fans enjoy a more inclusive matchday experience.
App accessibility features include the following:
- Adjustable font size for easier reading
- Customizable color contrast for improved visibility
- Captions on videos to support Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing users
Each stadium has a dedicated section within the app, as well as onFIFA.com, where fans can learn about venue-specific accessibility services. This includes further information on mobility assistance, sensory services, accessible seating and the availability of services like closed captioning.
To read the full press release, visit https://inside.fifa.com/organisation/news/accessibility-world-cup-2026-disability-social-inclusion.