Football’s coming home… Hopefully. Here’s everything you need to know.
There is always electricity in the air when it is a World Cup year. The build up, the hype, the injured players, the team sheets, the sticker collections… everything culminates into what is a tournament of 32 teams fighting it out over four weeks to become the greatest in the world.
Sports and technology have always gone hand in hand, and over the course of 30 articles and four weeks, TechRadar, in association with Honor, will bring you all you need to know about football and technology.
From understanding how the entire infrastructure of the greatest show on earth works, to the wearables the players and everyone else is wearing to make sure their football is the best it can be, TechRadar’s World Cup hub is the place for tech lovers and football fans alike.
Throughout the next month we will be updating this very page with all the fantastic articles we have lined up to celebrate the World Cup. So, bookmark and every day you will learn something new.
(Football image credit: vinap, Getty Images)
Ultimate World Cup 2018 opening ceremony: holograms and ball-kicking bots
This is what we really wanted to see at the World Cup ceremony, instead of Robbie Williams flicking the bird and some random dancing. It would have been much better if we have football-playing robots, holograms and more.
Score! Oculus Venues brings live World Cup matches to VR viewers in the US
You can watch the World Cup in virtual reality in the US, thanks to Oculus and its new Oculus Venues app. Download the app and you will be allowed to four free-to-watch games, including England vs Panama on June 24.
You can now download the BBC Sport VR: FIFA World Cup app
The BBC Sport FIFA World Cup virtual reality app is now live, allowing you to watch all 33 games the BBC is showing, and highlights, in VR. It’s available on Android, iOS, Gear VR, and it is also available on PlayStation VR.
Hisense’s AI TV will make you an armchair World Cup expert
TechRadar is at CES Asia 2018, where we spoke to Hisense about its World Cup ambitions and how it is using AI in its TVs to make sure that when you watch the football, you get the best possible experience. Also, in certain countries you will be able to access 4K World Cup action from a dedicated app on its televisions.
Ultimate World Cup home entertainment setup: the AV tech you need to buy
The World Cup is the best time to buy a new bit of kit, there’s plenty of bargains around to make sure you watch the beautiful game in the best way possible. Here we outline some key bits of technology that you need to purchase before kick-off.
Satellites and microchips: the surprising tech behind the World Cup ball
The latest World Cup ball by Adidas has a surprising amount of technology inside – including NFC functionality. But it’s space where it’s gotten the most of its inspiration. This article takes a look at what goes into making a World Cup ball and the history of making balls for the greatest show on Earth.
Google is now ready for your World Cup searches
Google is going big on the World Cup this year, using its search power to offer up a number of ways to track what’s going on in the tournament. Here we explain everything that’s going on.
Get match fit: the best apps for working out ahead of World Cup 2018
It’s too late for you to get the call for a place in your 2018 World Cup national squad of choice but you do have a little bit of time to make sure that you have dropped a little bit of the flab in time for the end of the tournament! This feature tells you how to do, with apps and technology helping out.
World Cup of sports games: cast your vote for the ultimate franchise of all time
This is the ultimate World Cup games showcase. Here TechRadar pits 16 of gaming’s most beloved franchises but there can only be one winner. Whether it’s FIFA or PES, Football Manager or Tony Hawk is completely up to you – as you vote to see which one is the winner.
Best TVs for sport: catch all the action on these World Cup ready televisions
With the 2018 FIFA World Cup happening, there’s no better time to get your home prepared for the onslaught of sporting action headed your way this year. This is our ultimate guide.
World Cup in 4K: the best ways to catch the action in Ultra HD
The World Cup really should be a brilliant showcase of 4K content the world over, but few broadcasters are actually showing the matches in Ultra HD. This is a fantastic breakdown of how to watch the World Cup in the best quality possible.
How to watch the FIFA World Cup finals
The World Cup is finally here and no matter where you are in the world, we’ve got the best ways you can watch the tournament. Whether it’s on TV, streaming or on your laptop – this is how you can keep track of everything that is happening in the World Cup.
Around the World Cup in 32 VR adventures
You may not have tickets to the tournament itself, but don’t let that bother you: with a VR headset, you can explore the wonders of every nation taking part in this year’s World Cup, as Becca Caddy explains.
The World Cup in motion: the infrastructure behind the greatest show on earth
From how the transport links will work to the cybersecurity that’s in place to make sure nothing goes awry, Jamie Carter delves into just what needs to happen before a ball has been kicked.
World Cup 2018 on the go: the best apps to watch the action
Kick off the Summer season of football in the best way with these apps for your smartphone or tablet. This selection of apps will make sure you don’t miss a minute of World Cup action.
TechRadar’s World Cup of Computers: it’s all kicking off
If Pele was a processor… this light-hearted article looks at some of the best computers the world has seen and pits them against each other. Who wins might surprise you.
TechRadar’s World Cup coverage is brought to you in association with Honor.
