Apple said Wednesday that the "After the Whistle" podcast will return for a third season [1] to cover the 2026 FIFA World Cup [2].

The revival marks a strategic push by Apple to capture the massive audience surrounding the sport's premier event. By leveraging the popularity of the "Ted Lasso" brand and professional sports broadcasting, the company aims to provide a central hub for analysis and commentary during the quadrennial tournament.

The new season is scheduled to launch June 7, 2026 [3], arriving shortly before the tournament begins in July 2026 [4]. The podcast will be co-hosted by Rebecca Lowe and Brendan Hunt, an actor and co-creator of the Apple TV+ series "Ted Lasso" [1].

This iteration of the show will focus on the 2026 World Cup [2], which is set to be hosted across North America. The tournament will span the U.S., Canada, and Mexico [1]. Apple said it is bringing the program back to offer fans deep-dive analysis and insight as the games unfold across these three nations [1].

The return of the podcast follows previous seasons that established the chemistry between Hunt and Lowe. By timing the release for early June, Apple ensures the content is established before the first whistle blows in July [4].

“The "After the Whistle" podcast will return for a third season focused on the 2026 FIFA World Cup.”

Apple's decision to revive this specific podcast highlights a broader strategy of integrating its entertainment assets with live sports. By pairing a creator from its hit scripted series with a professional sports journalist, Apple is attempting to bridge the gap between casual viewers and hardcore soccer fans during one of the most-watched sporting events in history.