Last updated: January 28, 2026

Note: This article was originally published in September 2025 and updated in January 2026 to reflect the current development status of WordPress 7.0. Some earlier assumptions have since been revised.

With every new WordPress version, you don’t just get bug fixes – you get new opportunities for modern websites. WordPress 7.0 is currently scheduled for April 9, 2026. While it hasn’t been released yet, its main direction is becoming clearer – especially around performance, editor evolution and technical foundations.

🚀 What’s shaping up for WordPress 7.0?

Many details are still in development, but based on the roadmap, several realistic trends are emerging:

• AI integration at infrastructure level: Automated support for writing, layout suggestions and personalization is being discussed.
  Update January 2026: Instead of a built-in AI writer, WordPress is currently focusing on technical foundations (Abilities API & AI Client) to connect external AI services.
• Multilingual workflows: Simpler native multilingual support was considered a possible feature.
  Update January 2026: Native multilingual support remains part of the long-term roadmap, but is not a confirmed feature for WordPress 7.0.
• E-commerce improvements: Performance, mobile usability and support for more complex shop setups continue to be important goals – especially together with WooCommerce.
• Gutenberg evolution: The focus is on Gutenberg Phase 3 (collaboration foundations), more stable workflows and modernized admin components.

🔄 Newer developments & clarified points

• Planned release: WordPress 7.0 is currently scheduled for April 9, 2026.
• PHP version: WordPress 7.0 will require PHP 8.2 or higher.
  Update January 2026: PHP 7.4 is currently expected to be the minimum, with PHP 8.x strongly recommended. A hard PHP 8.2 requirement is not confirmed.
• Full Site Editing & block themes: Block themes continue to mature. Templates for custom post types are increasingly editable directly in the editor.
• Global Styles: Work with theme.json is expanding, enabling more consistent design across entire websites.
• Accessibility: Improvements to focus handling, screen readers and navigation remain ongoing core goals.
• Performance: Core cleanup, improved database routines and optimized lazy loading aim to further reduce load times.
• Developer tools: Extensions around REST APIs, hooks and testing improve modern WordPress development workflows.
• AI: The official AI Team is building standardized interfaces for AI integrations – not a finished AI solution directly in core.

🤝 Real-time collaboration – part of the roadmap

Real-time collaborative editing similar to Google Docs might arrive with WordPress 7.0.
Update January 2026: Collaboration features are part of Gutenberg Phase 3 and will be introduced gradually. Full real-time editing is not confirmed as a finished feature for 7.0.

🔧 My approach to major updates

I don’t see updates as a nuisance, but as an opportunity to evolve websites technically. With major releases, I review theme and plugin compatibility early and plan controlled transitions. Clean development pays off long-term – especially with larger core changes.

🎯 Conclusion: prepare realistically

WordPress 7.0 doesn’t bring a revolution, but it delivers important technical foundations for the coming years. Preparing early means benefiting from more stable workflows, better performance and modern infrastructure. It already makes sense to align servers with PHP 8.x and plan strategically for block-based themes.

If you’re unsure about your current setup or how to prepare for WordPress 7.0 – feel free to reach out.