The World Cup finally comes to Qatar. This November 2022, watch an extravaganza of stars compete for the sport’s biggest crown in the Middle East. It is anyone’s guess how the football squads will fare in November and December, with average temperatures of 100°F in the run-up to it.
There have been some major changes to the format of the World Cup this time around, so it will be exciting to see how things go. These changes have made broadcasters rethink their coverage plans.
For football fans in the UK, coverage of the event from BBC and ITV will be different. This guide will make it clear how you can watch the action from your couch during the Qatar World Cup 2022.
Where to watch the FIFA World Cup in the UK
If you reside in the UK, you will be able to watch the World Cup on BBC and ITV. You can opt for free-to-air TV or through on-demand iPlayer and ITV Hub services.
You will need both options to enjoy the World Cup in full since the coverage of the matches will be split between the two outlets.
If you are not in the UK during the Qatar World Cup, you can still us BBC iPlayer and ITV to enjoy the event. You will need PureVPN to be able to access these exclusive streaming platforms online though.
Quick Guide: How to Watch the World Cup 2022 Live in 3 Easy Steps
- Download a VPN. I recommend ExpressVPN to live stream the FIFA World Cup buffer-free wherever you are. Plus, it’s backed by a reliable 30-day money-back guarantee.
- Connect to a server. Pick a country server that will live stream the football championship. For example, choose a UK server for BBC iPlayer.
- Watch every game live. Sign in to your account on beIN Sports or BBC iPlayer and watch all the Word Cup football action live from anywhere.
Where Can I Watch the 2022 World Cup Online
The World Cup 2022 will be televised globally on various channels like Fox Sport, Telemundo, RDS, CTV, and TSN.
On top of that, FIFA has recently launched its own digital platform (called FIFA+), providing free access to live football matches (including the World Cup). However, it’s currently only available on web and mobile devices.
An online streaming platform is the only way to go if you don’t have cable or want to watch Qatar 2022 live on your smart TV or another device incompatible with FIFA+. That said, some streaming services, like Voot, will only have the highlights and replays and not show live football matches.
Below is a list of the best streaming services to watch the 2022 World Cup live from anywhere:
| Country | Streaming Platform | Free or Subscription-Based |
| US | fobuTV | 7-day free trial |
| Fox Sports app | Subscription fee | |
| Telemundo Deportes app | Subscription fee | |
| Peacock Premium (Spanish) | 7-day free trial | |
| Australia | SBS | Free |
| New Zealand | SKY New Zealand | 7-day free trial |
| UK | BBC iPlayer | Free |
| ITV | 7-day free trial | |
| Canada | TSN.ca or TSN app | Subscription fee |
| UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman, Syria, Morocco, Egypt, Somalia, Bahrain, Iran, Iraq, and Lebanon | beIN Sports | 10-day free trial |
| Russia | VGTRK | Free |
| Match TV | Free | |
| China and Taiwan | CCTV 5+ | Free |
| India | Viacom18, JioCinema | Subscription fee |
| Germany | ARD | Free |
| ZDF | Free | |
| Austria | ORF | Free |
| Switzerland | SRG SSR | Free |
| Netherlands | NOS | Free |
| Portugal | RTP | Free |
| Italy | Mediaset | Free |
| France | TF1 | Free |
| beIN Sports France | 10-day free trial | |
| Spain | RTVE play | 30-day free trial |
| Brazil | Globo | Subscription fee |
| Argentina | DirecTV | Subscription fee |
| South Africa, Cameroon, and Nigeria | SuperSport International | Subscription fee |
You can also watch Fox Sports on Sling TV, Hulu+ TV, YouTube TV, and AT&T TV. However, the above streaming services are geoblocked to their specific country.
Why You Need a VPN to Watch the 2022 FIFA World Cup
Many public broadcasters have access to the FIFA World Cup but limit or block content to specific regions. Depending on your country, you may not be able to watch all 64 matches as they happen. However, streaming services like beIN Sports, fobuTV, and BBC iPlayer will air every game live. To access platforms with full media rights to the World Cup, you need a VPN. A VPN is a simple app that can bypass geo-restrictions by changing your IP address.
With a VPN, your traffic gets routed through a private server in your chosen location. For example, if you want to watch the Qatar World Cup using your BBC iPlayer subscription, you need to connect to a server in the UK. This way, you appear to be in the country, so you can live-stream the 2022 World Cup wherever you are.