The Best World Cup Apps for iPhone & iPad

Best apps for the World Cup

In the four years since the last World Cup, we've seen significant changes in both Apple's hardware, from first generation iPad to iPad Air, and software, with the ability to easily watch live and catch-up TV almost anywhere. In terms of viewing, it's likely to be the most mobile final ever, despite football's impact being reduced watching on an iPhone or even iPad. With many games starting at 11pm and one at 2am UK time, it might be the sensible option to watch in bed with your iPad close to hand.

Here we round up some of the best World Cup themed apps to get you safely through the next month, heading to the final on Sunday 13 July. It's worth remembering that those apps with Push Notifications switched on will give live updates throughout each game, so if you plan to catch up later best switch these off. Feel free to add your favourite World Cup related iPhone apps in the comments below, we'll likely add them as the tournament progresses.

BBC Sport

BBC Sport - Free - Requires iOS 5.0 or later

BBC Sport, despite the backing of the BBC, performed poorly when it first launched on iTunes, although it has thankfully improved with age, now offering the ability to listen to live commentary even when you close the app. Dedicated World Cup and Commonwealth Games sections have been added, both offering comprehensive coverage, with news, analysis, live scores, match stats and more currently available from Brazil. While the BBC will show 31 games live on television and online, there will be live text commentary on all 64 games available within the app. BBC Sport also offers a decent amount of video, including some memorable moments from previous World Cup finals, along with a World Cup Final.

Caught Offside

Caught Offside - Free (Plus Top In-App Purchases) - Requires iOS 6.0 or later

The well regarded Caught Offside app offers football news, gossip and transfer rumours with the ability to select favourite teams, including those competing in the World Cup in Brazil. It's this focus on football alone that makes Caught Offside an attractive proposition to fans, while a new emphasis on sharing your views could add to the apps appeal. The new Huddle feature allows users to connect with friends and family watching the same game, while you can now make new friends with fans around the world caught up in the action. Caught Offside adds the option to removes ads for £2.99, which helps focus on the football.

Eurosport

Eurosport - Free - Requires iOS 6.0 or later. 

Newly updated with "enriched live comment feed for the World Cup,"  Eurosport is generally a good all-rounder when it comes to sports coverage. Part of Yahoo! Sport, Eurosport offers over 100 stories and features every day, along with around 30 videos and the opportunity to comment on content, which occasionally gets heated. The app has a good selection of blog posts and analysis, opinions worth sharing via support for Twitter, Facebook, email and more. We like the fact that Eurosport doesn't take the pomp of the World Cup too seriously, including 'crazy things' you might have missed from the month long event.

FIFA

FIFA - Free - Requires iOS 6.0 or later.

While the official FIFA World Cup app promises wall to wall coverage from Brazil, along with live-match updates for 197 of the world's top leagues, it lacks the insightful commentary you will find elsewhere. This is very much the official version of events, free of controversy. The FIFA app excels in providing exclusive, yet hardly ground breaking interviews and a wonderful selection of photos. The app also offers the endless stats on players, teams and venues, chances to vote for the Man of the Match in each game, win prizes and participate in FIFA themed games, including Fantasy, Dream Team, Your XI and Predictor.

FIFA 14 by EA SPORTS

FIFA 14 by EA SPORTS - Free (Plus Top In-App Purchases) - Requires iOS 5.1.1 or later.

Although FIFA 14 has been around for sometime, this latest update comes with officially licensed World Cup national teams, kits and Adidas Brazuca ball for added authenticity. Although some way from the heat of Brazil, it does add topicality to what is already a fun, if sometimes tricky, game. To add to the World Cup experience, the app promises real-world football results with a built-in Football Club Match Day. FIFA 14 offers a range of Top In-App Purchases, which soon add up should you become carried away with the thrill of chasing gold, although as developers EA Sports point out you can disable these in settings.

Forza Football

Forza Football - Free (Plus Top In-App Purchases) - Requires iOS 6.0 or later.

Another good all-rounder, Forza Football (formerly Live Score Addicts) offers live scores, opinion polls and video highlights for more than 420 football leagues and cups around the world, including the World Cup. Users can edit which leagues and tournaments they wish to follow and set the frequency of live score updates up to every 20 seconds for real addicts, although this will hurt battery life. Companion app Forza 90' adds to the drama and fun by allowing users to share reactions as they happen. Forza Football comes with a selection of 'Top In-App Purchases,' though these are barely essential, consisting of themes and the ability to remove all banner ads.

Source: Macworld.co.uk