The four-year wait is nearly over – later this week the 2018 World Cup will start in Russia!
Never in the history of the competition has so much data, media, and entertainment been so readily available at the touch of a smartphone screen. The problem is with so much to see, how do you know you’re making the most of the games?
To help you stay on top of the action, Goal has put together a list of the best apps around to enhance your World Cup enjoyment.
1. Goal Live Scores
Goal Live Scores is the fastest live scores app on the market and sends you instant goal alerts, so you can be sure you’ll be the first to know whenever a goal is scored.
Outside of scores, its extensive match statistics, head-to-head data and new World Cup news feature also ensure you know what’s happening as soon as it happens.
Additionally, personalised news alerts mean you won’t miss any of the action this time around.
Download Goal Live Scores on iPhone or Android
2. BBC iPlayer / ITV Hub
If you’re wanting to watch the matches live and on the go, you’ll want to download the iPlayer and Hub apps.
Both will be showing games live and both are free, though you’ll have to keep paying your license fee for iPlayer or deal with adverts on ITV Hub (unless you subscribe to ITV Hub+ for £3.99 a month). Both will also have highlights after the game if you can’t catch it live.
Download BBC iPlayer on iPhone or Android
Download ITV Hub on iPhone or Android
3. Panini Sticker Album
What would a World Cup be without a sticker album? The Panini Sticker Album app not only lets you collect stickers on the move, it lets you swap them with people online.
This gives you access to a much larger pool of people to swap with, helping you to find fewer “gots” and more “needs”. If you’re competitive, you can create a group with your mates and see who can fill their book first.
Download Panini Sticker Album on iPhone or Android
4. FIFA Soccer
An app that millions of people have already downloaded, FIFA Soccer lets you take most of FIFA 18 on the road with you. Doesn’t need much more of an introduction, this one.
Download FIFA Soccer on iPhone or Android
5. Football Manager Mobile 2018
If you’re not a player, maybe you’re a manager. Everyone has their own ideas on what managers should do (or should have done), and Football Manager lets you put your money where your mouth is.
Take control of England and guide them through to World Cup glory or just pick your favourite league team and take the title, Football Manager will give you a new appreciation for managers everywhere.
Download Football Manager Mobile 2018 on iPhone or Android
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6. Official FIFA App
A list of World Cup apps wouldn’t really be complete without the official FIFA app, would it? This app gives you news, easy access to tables, highlights and more on every FIFA tournament – including the World Cup.
You can even find out more about the stadiums hosting the games, giving you everything you need to know and more about the competition.
Download the official FIFA app on iPhone or Android
7. Goal Fantasy Football
Sad that the season is over? Need to make amends for a shocking fantasy football loss, or want to hammer home your fantasy skills before the next season starts?
The Goal Fantasy Football app lets you do just that for the World Cup. Pick your team, decide on a name, and take on the world. You can even win some fantastic prizes up to £10,000 in value.
Download Goal Fantasy Football on iPhone or Android
8. Soccerway
To help make sure you’re on top of your fantasy football game, Soccerway has all the latest stats from Opta - including things like team line-ups, tables and more.
The fixtures feature is handy to keep an eye on when England’s next game is too, helping you not to miss any key action during the competition.