FIFA launches refreshed Android and iPhone/iPad apps in time for the World Cup

It’s summer 2014, which means for fans of the beautiful game (football, in case you were wondering) it’s time to put away your domestic squabbles and unite under your national flag for the World Cup -- assuming your nation qualified, of course.

This year, it’s all happening in Brazil, so for those football (or "soccer") nuts who want to stay up to date wherever they are, world governing body FIFA has the solution. The non-profit organization has just released major updates to its official mobile apps with the release of FIFA for Android 2.0 and FIFA for iOS 2.1.

Both apps have been unleashed ahead of the big kick off later this evening, and are designed to give you all the support materials you could possibly need to enjoy the World Cup over the next few weeks. There’s the latest news, score updates, past results and current standings, plus detailed analysis and statistics for each of the 32 nations involved.

You’ll also find sections covering awards, destinations, social and some links to FIFA-sanctioned games. There’s also a live button, which provides everything (short of the actual live video broadcast) you need during matches, and that provides a social hub for fans to interact via a "virtual" stadium.

It’s all straightforward, relatively simple to navigate and very slick. It’s also packed full of sponsorship and advertising, so look out for the likes of sports manufacturers, beer companies and fast-food joints appearing liberally throughout the app.

If you can look past this rampant commercialization of the beautiful game, then you’ll be wanting to add the FIFA app to your mobile before the host nation take on Croatia in the opening game later on today.

FIFA for Android 2.0 is available now for Android mobiles running Android 2.3 or later. FIFA for iOS 2.1 is available for both iPhone and iPad -- iOS 6.0 or later is required. Both apps are free.