WhatsApp is adding a special animation to status updates on iOS and Android to celebrate the FIFA World Cup 2026. The feature shows footballs on the interface when someone likes an update. The animation is temporary and will disappear once the tournament ends.
| Key Points | Details |
|---|---|
| Feature: | World Cup football animation for status likes |
| Status: | Rolling out |
| Availability info: | This feature is available to all users on iOS and Android. |
| Thanks: | Kingcyrious, Lukkkas, shw_9876, flakoflow, for testing and reporting. |
| Previous news: | WhatsApp rolls out full username feature and multi-account! |
WhatsApp introduced status likes on iOS and Android
Back in October 2024, WhatsApp released a status like feature for iOS and Android. With this functionality, users can tap the heart icon to show they liked the status update. Only the person who shares the status can see who liked it. As a result, other viewers cannot see who liked the status or how many people did. Instead of sending a reaction in the chat, users can finally show appreciation directly on the status without starting a conversation.
WhatsApp is now celebrating the FIFA World Cup 2026
With the latest updates, WhatsApp is celebrating the final with a new feature. As part of its initiative for the FIFA World Cup 2026 Hub, WhatsApp is rolling out a new animation for status likes on both iOS and Android. The usual heart reaction now gives way to something a little more festive. Not many apps do this, but WhatsApp clearly wanted to make the World Cup feel a bit more present within the app.
The football animation replaces the heart reaction for status updates
When someone likes a status update, footballs now appear on the screen instead of the usual hearts. The effect covers the status interface for a moment before disappearing, the same way the heart animation always did. The like still works the same way. It is private, only the creator can see it, and there is no public counter. The animation is the only thing that changed.
WhatsApp adds a Football Central 2026 music category and new About
Users can also choose music for their status updates from a dedicated category called Football Central 2026. Users who add music to their status can find this category in the picker and choose from tracks themed around the World Cup. WhatsApp created this category so fans can set the right mood for the final match. It also makes it faster for users to find music for the World Cup without manually searching for it. In addition, WhatsApp is suggesting that users update their "About" regarding the final event.
Where to find the FIFA World Cup 2026 Hub
WhatsApp already introduced new features for the FIFA World Cup 2026. For example, WhatsApp released a new hub where users can find official channels and content related to the tournament directly within the app. Users can still find the hub in the Channels section. The football animation for status likes fits right into what WhatsApp is doing for World Cup fans.
Features related to the FIFA World Cup 2026 are temporary
The football animation, the dedicated hub, and the Football Central 2026 music category are not permanent features. WhatsApp added these features specifically for the tournament. Once the tournament ends, WhatsApp will remove them from the app. Note that WhatsApp may still keep these features for a few days or weeks to give users time to enjoy them before the app returns to normal. This means that WhatsApp will restore the original heart animation in the near future. WhatsApp will also remove the new music category and the dedicated hub from the app.
WhatsApp is rolling out the World Cup animation on iOS and Android
The football animation for status likes is now available to everyone on iOS and Android. Users who install the latest version of WhatsApp from the App Store or the Google Play Store should already see it. If the animation does not appear yet, you should try to update the app. WhatsApp has not mentioned a specific date, but the animation will disappear in the near future.
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