The report says the update is already rolling out, with a fallback option for users who cannot immediately see the redesigned reaction:
That matters because football chat is built around speed. A missed chance, controversial decision or late winner can generate dozens of reactions within seconds. Themed visuals make those moments feel more connected to the tournament itself.
The change also places the official match ball at the centre of everyday supporter interaction. For Adidas, repeated appearances in group chats offer visibility well beyond the stadium and broadcast. For WhatsApp, the feature is a low-friction way to attach the service to football’s biggest shared occasions.
The report says WhatsApp recorded 25 million messages per second during the final of the previous tournament, underlining the scale of conversation major matches can create. Even a single emoji can therefore become part of a much larger digital matchday experience.
Not every user is expected to welcome the redesign. The report notes criticism from users who viewed the branded football as advertising rather than a harmless celebration of the sport.
That tension will shape the feature’s reception. Fans generally accept tournament branding around broadcasts and stadiums, but a familiar reaction button feels more personal. If the update remains optional in practice, it may add colour to the conversation. If it feels unavoidable, the novelty could quickly become irritating.
As World Cup 26 approaches, the key storyline will be whether supporters adopt the Trionda reaction naturally-or keep reaching for the standard emoji.