2014 World Cup: Three Ways To Watch

The 2014 World Cup is upon us, and for those forced to watch from a distance, the options for doing so can be tricky if you don't have the right cable channels (particularly for the cable-cutters among us). The games, which kick off tomorrow, will be broadcast on ESPN and ABC, but options remain for those who prefer to watch from their Android smartphone or tablet, iPad, or iPhone.

The best option for those with a paid cable subscription is using WatchESPN, whether online or via its apps (which are available for a slew of devices, including Android and iOS). All 64 of the matches will be streamed to the service, but there's a catch: you must be a subscriber of one of the participating providers, which includes Comcast, Google Fiber, AT&T U-Verse, Time Warner Cable, Verizon, DISH Network, Cox, Charter, and more. If you're not a subscriber to one of those services, you're out of luck — at least with WatchESPN.

If you're not a subscriber to one of WatchESPN's participating providers, your second-best bet is Univision, which is open to anyone, but comes with it own limitations: the broadcasts are in Spanish, and the final rounds aren't broadcast. If you're fine watching the final rounds at the local sports bar or a friend's house, this is a good option, even if you don't speak Spanish.

So the final option isn't technically a way to watch, though it can tie nicely into the Univision option. ESPN Radio will be broadcasting audio coverage of the games, and the combination of muted Univision streams (assuming you haven't brushed up on your Spanish) alongside coverage from ESPN Radio should suit you just fine, all things considered. ESPN Radio can be downloaded from your applicable app store, depending on device.