How to Livestream the 2022 FIFA World Cup Quarterfinals for Free With a VPN
The World Cup quarterfinal matches are never short of excitement and controversies. Considering this year’s fixture, it’s fair to say that none of these games is poised to be drab. Read on to learn how to live stream the 2022 FIFA World Cup quarterfinals for free to catch the memorable moments.
Written by Samson Kiarie (Writer)
Reviewed by Aleksandar Kochovski (Editor)
Facts checked by Vildana Bratic (Video Editor, Fact-Checking Editor)
Last Updated: 2024-03-17T13:05:45+00:00
All our content is written fully by humans; we do not publish AI writing. Learn more here.
Whether you’re cheering on England, Brazil, Portugal, Argentina or other World Cup quarter finalists, we’ve got you covered. Keep reading to learn how to livestream the 2022 FIFA World Cup quarterfinals for free.
Key Takeaways:
- You can livestream FIFA World Cup Qatar for free on BBC iPlayer, ITV Hub and a host of streaming services in the U.S.
- If you’re outside the U.K. and U.S., you may need a virtual private network to livestream the World Cup quarterfinal games for free.
- ExpressVPN is the best VPN for livestreaming World Cup quarterfinal games. NordVPN is an affordable ExpressVPN alternative, whereas Proton VPN’s free plan works well for U.S. servers.
The World Cup group stage matches served up iconic moments and surprises aplenty. Saudi Arabia stunned Lionel Messi in the group C opening match and Japan surpassed mighty Germany.
We’ve also seen Richarlison score “goal of the tournament” and youngster Goncalo Ramos score the first hat-trick of the tournament after replacing Critiano Ronaldo in Portugal’s starting lineup.
If these matches are anything to go by, there’s a lot in store for soccer fans in the quarterfinals. We’ll show you how to use a virtual private network (VPN) to watch the FIFA World Cup in full HD or 4K. We’ll also describe three reliable VPNs for the Qatar World Cup, including a free VPN service.
Where to Livestream the 2022 FIFA World Cup Quarterfinals for Free
The Fox Network is broadcasting all four quarterfinal matches on Fox (sorry, Fox Sports 1 users). You can watch these games on live TV streaming services such as YouTube TV, Sling TV, DirecTV, fuboTV, and Hulu Live. The streaming services come with free trials, allowing you to watch the FIFA World Cup quarterfinals for free.
Additionally, U.K. soccer fans can catch up with all the soccer action for free on BBC iPlayer or ITV Hub. Each of these platforms will broadcast two quarterfinal games. BBC will broadcast the titanic match between the Netherlands vs Argentina and the Croatia vs Brazil game. On the other hand, ITV picked the Three Lions game against France and Morocco vs Portugal.
While these options are available only to U.S. and U.K. fans, you can access them regardless of your country of residence. All you need is a VPN that can circumvent the streaming geoblocks that free live-streaming apps impose.
For example, you can use a VPN to connect to a U.K. server and get a U.K. IP address to unblock BBC iPlayer from another country. The VPN tricks the iPlayer system into thinking you’re in the U.K., so it lets you enjoy the World Cup without any issues.
Free options for watching the World Cup got a bit smaller when U.S. law enforcement authorities seized the domain names of streaming piracy sites. Our suggestions below are legal as well as free.
World Cup Quarterfinals: Match Details
At the start of the Qatar World Cup 2022, there were 32 teams in eight groups. (The bolded teams below will move on to the quarterfinals.)
| Group | Nations |
|---|---|
| Group A | Ecuador, Qatar, Senegal, Netherlands |
| Group B | England, Iran, United States, Wales |
| Group C | Argentina, Mexico, Saudi Arabia, Poland |
| Group D | Australia, Denmark, France, Tunisia |
| Group E | Costa Rica, Germany, Spain, Japan |
| Group F | Belgium, Canada, Morocco, Croatia |
| Group G | Brazil, Serbia, Switzerland, Cameroon |
| Group H | Ghana, Portugal, South Korea, Uruguay |
Now that 24 teams have exited the competition — including heavyweights such as Belgium, Spain and Germany — the remaining teams will compete in the quarterfinals as follows.
Friday, Dec. 9:
- Croatia vs Brazil (3 p.m. UTC): Croatia sailed to the quarterfinals through a penalty shootout against Japan, whereas Brazil was too hot to handle for the South Koreans. The Croatians have one of the best defensive record in 2022 World Cup and can get to the semifinals only if they find a way to stop Brazil’s Joga Bonito on Friday at Education City Stadium.
- Netherlands vs Argentina (7 p.m. UTC): Argentina recovered quickly from the shock-loss against Saudi Arabia, and the team is starting to gel with Messi at the heart. The Netherlands, on the other hand, is unbeaten in this year’s tournament. The Albicelestes is seeking to be the first team to beat the Dutch when the teams meet at Lusail Iconic Stadium.
Saturday, Dec. 10:
- Morocco vs Portugal (3 p.m. UTC): Morocco is the surprise-package of this year’s tournament. From beating Belgium and topping group F, to sending Spain home, the Atlas Lions have been impressive. However, to roar into the World Cup semifinals, they have to beat a Portugal team that dazzled in a 6-1 victory over Switzerland in the round 16 match. The game will take place at the Al Thumama Stadium.
- France vs England (7 p.m. UTC): This is arguably a game that neither team wanted. It’s the first real test in England’s quest to bring the trophy home. On the other hand, France will have to tame the Three Lions to keep their hopes of defending the World Cup alive. The Al Bayt Stadium will sparkle as the tournament’s hot-favorites lock horns.
How to Livestream the 2022 FIFA World Cup Quarterfinals for Free From Anywhere
If you can’t access the streaming services you’ve subscribed to back home, fret not. In this section, we’ll show you how to unblock free live-streaming options to watch the World Cup quarterfinals for free. We’ll use ExpressVPN — the best VPN for streaming the World Cup and one that comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee — in the following steps.
- Sign Up for a VPN for Streaming
Sign up for a VPN like ExpressVPN with servers in a country where free FIFA streams are available, such as the U.S. or U.K.
- Download and Install the VPN App
Download and install the VPN for your laptop, desktop computer or smart TV from the vendor’s official website. If you’ll be streaming the World Cup quarterfinals on your smartphone, install the VPN app from Apple’s app store or Google’s Play store.
- Connect the VPN
Launch the VPN app and complete the setup process. Connect to a server in the U.S., U.K. or a preferred location where free FIFA World Cup livestreams are available.
- Watch World Cup 2022 Quarterfinals Uninterrupted
Before you open the streaming app, do a DNS leak test to confirm that the VPN assigned you an IP address in the country you chose. If everything is OK, open BBC iPlayer or the streaming service back home to watch the World Cup quarterfinals.
Best VPN for Livestreaming the World Cup 2022 Quarterfinals
We tested the following services, and they were pretty apt for streaming the World Cup group stage matches. There are, however, some differences between services, including the features they bring to the table, speed and pricing. Read on to find the nitty-gritty details.
1. ExpressVPN
Pros:
- Unmatched unblocking
- Lightning-fast connections
- 30-day money-back guarantee
Cons:
- Comparatively pricey
ExpressVPN has shown time and again why it’s the best VPN to stream the FIFA World Cup quarterfinals. During our testing, the VPN service got us into World Cup streaming services including BBC iPlayer, Hulu Live and YouTube TV with ease.
In addition, we were able to stream select games without interruption, thanks to ExpressVPN’s fast international speeds. Whether you’re accessing iPlayer from Australia or the U.S., you won’t even notice the VPN is on because the livestreams are so smooth. Plus, with unlimited data and bandwidth, you won’t get cut off in the middle of an intense game.
One quibble, though: ExpressVPN is pricey. The monthly plan will set you back $12.95, but you can save a few dollars when you subscribe to the yearly plan, which costs $6.66 per month. However, you can use ExpressVPN for free for a month by taking advantage of its 30-day money-back guarantee. Read our ExpressVPN review to learn more.
- Unlimited GB
- 8
- Yes
2. NordVPN
Pros:
- Strong server options
- Blazing-fast downloads
- Affordable long-term plans
Cons:
- Suffered a server breach in the past
NordVPN is a cheaper ExpressVPN alternative. Although it doesn’t rival ExpressVPN’s excellent unblocking ability, it got us into most FIFA World Cup streaming services on the first attempt. The only minor gripe is that you may have to switch servers to access BBC iPlayer. Beyond that, you’ll struggle to find fault with NordVPN’s streaming performance.
It’s the fastest VPN on the market right now, with consistently blazing-fast download speeds. Whether you’re connecting to a U.K. server from Asia or a U.S. server from Australia, you’ll enjoy lag-free FIFA World Cup streams. Not to mention, it offers unlimited bandwidth and data.
NordVPN’s monthly plan costs $12.99, which is on the higher side of the VPN pricing spectrum. Extended plans come with significant discounts: the yearly costs $5.74 per month, and the two-year plan is NordVPN’s best deal at $3.48 per month. It also has a 30-day money-back guarantee. Learn more in our comprehensive NordVPN review.
- *The prices are charged in the first billing cycle only. Renewal prices vary.
- Unlimited GB
- 6
- Yes
- *The prices are charged in the first billing cycle only. Renewal prices vary.
- Unlimited GB
- 6
- Yes
- *The prices are charged in the first billing cycle only. Renewal prices vary.
- Unlimited GB
- 6
- Yes
3. Proton VPN
Pros:
- No data limit on free plan
- Easy to use
Cons:
- Puts free users on busiest servers
We recommend Proton VPN — the best free VPN — for football fans on a budget. The VPN service comes with unlimited data, which is quite generous for a free VPN. As you stream the World Cup quarterfinal games, you won’t have to worry about getting cut off in the middle of a match-defining moment due to data caps.
While Proton VPN has excellent unblocking ability, the free version lets you unblock World Cup streaming using the U.S., Japan and Netherlands servers. Moreover, you can only watch videos in standard definition. Proton VPN apparently puts free users on the busiest servers to soft-cap their speeds, making it difficult to stream in HD or 4K. Learn more in our full Proton VPN review.
- Unlimited GB
- 1
- Yes
- Unlimited GB
- 5
- Yes
Use a VPN in Qatar
If you’re in Qatar, you’ll need a VPN for more than streaming the World Cup games for free. The European Union has warned against downloading two World Cup apps because they pose security and privacy risks. That could be the tip of the iceberg, as there could be other such apps that we don’t know about yet.
Don’t put your security and privacy on the line. Download a VPN for Qatar and guard against any apps or services you’re using in Qatar that might infringe on your privacy and security. A virtual private network will also help sidestep Qatar’s censorship and surveillance attempts (read our guide on how to unblock VoIP in Qatar to learn more).
Final Thoughts: World Cup 2022 Quarterfinals
Don’t let your travel deny you the opportunity to watch as your favorite team advances to the semifinals. Get a reliable VPN, and install it beforehand if you’re traveling to a country where VPNs are banned or blocked.
We recommend getting started with ExpressVPN, thanks to its all-around performance. NordVPN is a cheaper alternative, and if you’re on a tight budget, Proton VPN is a safe bet to access U.S. servers.
Which teams do you think will make it into the semifinals? Which team will make it into the World Cup final? Can you put your money on Lionel Messi lifting the prestigious World Cup trophy? Watch out for our guides on how to watch the World Cup semifinals and final. As always, thanks for reading.
FAQ
The FIFA World Cup quarterfinals will take place Dec. 9 and Dec. 10, 2022. The games will be held in four locations: Lusail Iconic Stadium, Al Bayt Stadium, Education City Stadium and Al Thumama Stadium.
Many fans worldwide will watch the World Cup live on local sports channels. If you’re traveling abroad or there are no TV channels broadcasting the World Cup in your country, worry not. With a VPN like ExpressVPN, you can unblock free live-streaming services such as BBC iPlayer.
Many local free-to-air television services worldwide have acquired the rights to broadcast the World Cup. If you’re in the U.K., catch all the action on BBC and ITV. U.S. soccer fans can watch all 64 games on Fox network (Fox and Fox Sports 1). Learn more in our guide on how to Watch World Cup 2022.