(BPT) - The wait is over as soccer's biggest global tournament is under way in Qatar. Situated on a beautiful peninsula, the small Middle Eastern country has pulled out all the stops, building state-of-the-art stadiums to host all 64 scintillating matches enroute to the crowning of the world champions of soccer.
Thankfully, for the many soccer fans who can't make it to Qatar, today's streaming services and the latest home entertainment tech can bring the thrill of the stadium home - enabling you to experience every goal, tackle and blistering cross like you were right there in the stands.
Wondering how to watch and get the most out of soccer's quadrennial showcase? Read on for some smart, simple tips.
Elevate the Convenience with Smart TV Viewing Options
The first thing you should know is that accessing the game should be fairly easy, as the two cable channels which are broadcasting the tournament's 64 matches in the United States are available on most streaming services. On smart TV platforms like LG webOS, you can follow all the action on convenient services such as FuboTV, which make watching the games that much easier. You may even be able to stream the games for free by making the most of any free trials offered by these services, so check for promotions in your area.
Note that every match is also available on select streaming apps. If your smart TV doesn't support the app, don't worry. Simply download it for your smartphone (if you haven't already), make sure your subscription is valid, and take advantage of content-sharing features provided by smart home platforms like LG ThinQ to mirror it to your TV. Using this app, all you have to do is tap the 'TV" product card, then once again tap on the "Share" card to turn on Content Sharing. If you're planning to use a different service depending on the match, this app can also act as a navigation panel to help you quickly find the app of your choice - just tap on the "TV" card and activate the search function.
Stay On Top of Every Goal, Every Game
An important question most soccer fans will already have answered is 'What are the 2022 tournament's must-see matches?' For those who love watching star players do their thing, the Group H game between South Korea and Portugal should be on the list, spotlighting moves from one of Manchester United's shining legends. The Group C Argentina vs Mexico match is another one you might want to mark down, given that the Qatar tournament is rumored to be the last time the 'goat of football' suits up in the familiar white and light-blue stripes.
Once you've locked in your viewing schedule, you'll want to make sure that you don't miss out on the games that matter most to you. Staying on top of the key match-ups is much easier when you have the "Sports Alert" feature courtesy of LG Smart TVs keeping you informed and up-to-date. First, pick up the Magic Remote and press the "Speak" button, then say "Sports Alert." (Or you can easily do this on your phone with the LG ThinQ app. Tap on the 'TV' card to turn on voice commands.) Your TV will now display a screen that allows you to pick all your favorite sports leagues and teams, including every national squad vying for the title this year. So, if you're watching something else and one of your 'can't-miss' games is about to start, you'll receive a handy notification so you can switch channels in time for kick-off.
Cool Down with Refreshing Drinks
The experience of watching the big game at home is about more than just streaming the match on TV. It's about settling down on the couch with friends who share your passion for 'the beautiful game,' enjoying tasty snacks, cracking jokes and shouting with joy (or despair) when the ball hits the back of the net. So, why not make an occasion of it by inviting everyone over, firing up the grill, and popping some drinks in the freezer for a while to chill. When your freezer is stocked full of groceries and drinks, it may take some time for your beverages of choice to chill - which is how the LG ThinQ app's Express Freeze feature can help, with heightened cooling functions for your freezer. Now it's that much easier to chill your bubblies and pop before the referee blows time-on.
During the soccer tournament and beyond, to experience how simple the smart life can be, learn more about smart home technology and LG ThinQ at www.lg.com/global/lg-thinq.