How to Livestream the 2026 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 2026 FIFA World Cup quarterfinals for free to catch the memorable moments.
Written by Samson Kiarie (Writer)
Reviewed by Aleksandar Kochovski (Writer)
Facts checked by Vildana Bratic (Video Editor, Fact-Checking Editor)
Last Updated:
All our content is written fully by humans; we do not publish AI writing. Learn more here.
Key Takeaways: How to Livestream the FIFA World Cup
- Download and install a reliable VPN, such as NordVPN. Go to NordVPN’s website and sign up at a 76% discount.
- Connect to a VPN server in the U.K.
- Access the FIFA World Cup on your preferred streaming app.
The Best VPNs to Watch the FIFA World Cup:
- NordVPN — Unrivaled protection and blazing-fast connections. You can sign up for NordVPN with a 76% discount and use the 30-day money-back guarantee if you change your mind.
- Surfshark — Wallet-friendly VPN without compromises. Sign up now to get 87% off the first two years.
- Proton VPN — Fast and privacy-focused VPN with 10 simultaneous connections and a free plan option. Get up to 70% off paid plans.
- ExpressVPN — Premium VPN protection made simple. ExpressVPN offers 73% off on the first two years for new users.
What to Know About Livestreaming the FIFA World Cup:
- You can livestream FIFA World Cup 2026 for free on BBC iPlayer, ITVX 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.
- NordVPN is the best VPN to watch the World Cup quarterfinal match for free online. Surfshark is a cheaper alternative, Proton VPN is a solid privacy-focused option with a free tier, whereas ExpessVPN is an excellent premium VPN, though it’s a bit pricier.
The FIFA World Cup quarterfinals are where the tournament reaches its business end. The eight remaining teams compete for a place in the semifinals, with every match carrying knockout-stage pressure and the possibility of extra time or penalties.
By the quarterfinal stage, the tournament’s biggest contenders and surprises have emerged, setting up some of the most anticipated matches of the competition. Whether you’re backing a favorite or an underdog, this round often delivers some of the World Cup’s most memorable moments.
Below, I’ll explain how to watch the FIFA World Cup quarterfinals live online. I’ll also show you how to use a VPN to access broadcasts while traveling and recommend the best VPNs for streaming the tournament.
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03/30/2026
We updated this article with revised VPN ranking based on our in-house testing.
Where to Livestream the 2026 FIFA World Cup Quarterfinals for Free
In the United States, FIFA World Cup matches are available through Fox Sports, with coverage split between FOX and FS1. You can also stream matches through live TV streaming services that carry those channels, such as YouTube TV, Fubo and Hulu + Live TV.
In the U.K., World Cup coverage is shared between BBC and ITV, with matches available to stream for free through BBC iPlayer and ITVX. The broadcasters split coverage throughout the tournament, including the knockout rounds.
If you’re traveling abroad, you may not be able to access your usual streaming service because of regional restrictions. A VPN can help you connect to a server in your home country and access the same services you normally use, provided doing so complies with the platform’s terms and local laws.
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
The 2026 FIFA World Cup features 48 teams split across 12 groups. The teams below were drawn into their respective groups ahead of the tournament and will compete for a place in the knockout stage.
| Group | Nations |
|---|---|
| Group A | Mexico, South Africa, Korea Republic, Czechia |
| Group B | Canada, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Qatar, Switzerland |
| Group C | Brazil, Morocco, Haiti, Scotland |
| Group D | USA, Paraguay, Australia, Türkiye |
| Group E | Germany, Curaçao, Côte d’Ivoire, Ecuador |
| Group F | Netherlands, Japan, Sweden, Tunisia |
| Group G | Belgium, Egypt, IR Iran, New Zealand |
| Group H | Spain, Cabo Verde, Saudi Arabia, Uruguay |
| Group I | France, Senegal, Iraq, Norway |
| Group J | Argentina, Algeria, Austria, Jordan |
| Group K | Portugal, Congo DR, Uzbekistan, Colombia |
| Group L | England, Croatia, Ghana, Panama |
The group stage is the first step on the road to the World Cup quarterfinals. Teams must progress through the knockout rounds before earning a place among the tournament’s final eight.
Friday, July 10 2026:
- Quarterfinal 1 — TBC vs. TBC
- Quarterfinal 2 — TBC vs. TBC
Saturday, July 11, 2026:
- Quarterfinal 3 — TBC vs. TBC
- Quarterfinal 4 — TBC vs. TBC
The teams, kickoff times and venues for the World Cup quarterfinals will be confirmed once the knockout stage bracket is finalized.
How to Livestream the 2026 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 NordVPN — 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
First, head over to NordVPN’s website and choose a plan. You can get up to a 76% discount, risk-free because it’s covered by the 30-day money-back guarantee.
- 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 2026 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 2026 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. NordVPN — Best VPN for the FIFA World Cup
Very Fast
NordVPN offers excellent unblocking ability, and it got us into most FIFA World Cup streaming services on the first attempt.
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 $4.59 per month, and the two-year plan is NordVPN’s best deal at $2.99 per month. It also has a 30-day money-back guarantee. Learn more in our comprehensive NordVPN review.
- **VAT may apply
- Unlimited GB
- 10
- Yes
- *The prices are charged in the first billing cycle only. Renewal prices vary.
- Unlimited GB
- 10
- Yes
- *The prices are shown only apply for the first 12 months.
- Unlimited GB
- 10
- Yes
- **The prices are applicable only for the first 24 months. Secure, high-speed VPN Threat Protection Pro™: Anti-malware and advanced browsing protection Threat Protection Pro™: Ad and tracker blocker Password manager with Data Breach Scanner 1 TB of encrypted cloud storage Identity and SSN monitoring and alerts Credit monitoring services Up to $1M in identity theft insurance Up to $100K in cyber extortion insurance
- 10
2. Surfshark — Affordable VPN for FIFA Matches
Very Fast
Surfshark had no trouble unblocking BBC iPlayer and ITVX in our tests, making it a reliable pick for catching the World Cup quarterfinals. Surfshark offers U.K. servers, unlimited simultaneous connections, plus some of the fastest speeds on the market, up to 95% of unprotected speeds.
Surfshark is the most budget-friendly option on this list. The two-year plan comes in at just $1.99 per month, which is cheaper than NordVPN, Proton VPN and ExpressVPN. It also has a 30-day money-back guarantee, even on the monthly plan, so you can use it without worries. Learn more in our comprehensive Surfshark review.
- Unlimited GB bandwidth, Unlimited devices, Secure VPN, Ad blocker, Cookie pop-up blocker. Pricing for the annual and biennial plans only apply for the first payment. Renewal fees vary.
- Unlimited GB
- Unlimited
- Yes
- Everything in Starter, plus Antivirus protection, Identity protection, Email Breach and Credit Card Alerts, Online Alias Pricing for the annual and biennial plans only apply for the first payment. Renewal fees vary.
- Unlimited GB
- Unlimited
- Everything in One, plus Data removal Pricing for the annual and biennial plans only apply for the first payment. Renewal fees vary.
- Unlimited GB
- Unlimited
3. Proton VPN — Privacy-Focused VPN With a Free Plan for the World Cup
Very Fast
Proton VPN impressed us with its ability to unblock BBC iPlayer on its paid plan, and streaming feels snappy and lag-free — exactly what you need for a live World Cup quarterfinal. Its U.K. download speeds are incredibly robust, averaging around 290–305 Mbps on our 300 Mbps baseline connection. Proton VPN also comes with useful features like a kill switch, split tunneling, and NetShield ad blocking.
Although Proton VPN does offer an excellent free plan with unlimited data, the free tier does not include U.K. servers. That means free users can try accessing U.S. streaming services like Fox via YouTube TV or Hulu Live free trials, but you’ll need a paid plan to get a U.K. IP address for BBC iPlayer or ITVX.
However, the free plan doesn’t allow server selection; it automatically connects to the “best” free server. Luckily you can get long-term plans with up to 70% off. Read our Proton VPN review for more details.
- Unlimited GB
- 1
- Yes
- 500 GB storage 1 user 15 extra email addresses for you Support for 3 custom email domains Unlimited folders and labels Unlimited hide-my-email aliases Dedicated customer support Ultra fast and private VPN Encrypted password manager Encrypted cloud storage for photos and documents Advanced account protection
- Unlimited GB
- 10
- Yes
- **Renewal prices differ for the 1-year and the 2-year plans. Price includes all premium Proton services (Proton Mail, Calendar, Drive, VPN, Pass, & Wallet)
- Unlimited GB
- 10
4. ExpressVPN — FIFA World Cup VPN for Beginners
Very Fast
ExpressVPN unblocked BBC iPlayer and other World Cup streaming services on the first try during our tests, living up to its reputation for excellent unblocking ability. Its simple, beginner-friendly apps make it a great choice if you’re not particularly tech-savvy. Speed-wise, ExpressVPN clocked download speeds of 247 Mbps on our 300 Mbps baseline.
The main drawback is the price tag. ExpressVPN’s Basic monthly plan costs $12.99, though the two-year plan brings it down to $3.49 per month. That said, it comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee on all plans. Learn more in our comprehensive ExpressVPN review.
- Pricing for the annual and biennial plans applies only on the first year.
- Unlimited GB
- 10
- Yes
- Advanced Protection, ExpressVPN Keys, 3 days unlimited eSIM data, Identity Monitoring, IDP Insurance, Credit Monitoring, 25-50% off on Aircove Router Pricing for the annual and biennial plans applies only on the first year.
- Unlimited GB
- 12
- Everything on the Advanced Plan, Credit Monthly Report, Data Removal, 50-75% off on Aircove Router Pricing for the annual and biennial plans applies only on the first year.
- Unlimited GB
- 14
Final Thoughts: World Cup 2026 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 NordVPN, thanks to its all-around performance. Take NordVPN for a test drive with peace of mind, knowing you can request a full refund within 30 days if it doesn’t meet your expectations. Surfshark is a cheaper alternative.
Which teams do you think will make it into the semifinals? Which team will make it into the World Cup final? 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 2026 quarterfinals will take place on July 10 and July 11, 2026. The teams, kickoff times and venues will be confirmed once the tournament bracket is finalized.
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 NordVPN, you can unblock free live-streaming services such as BBC iPlayer.
World Cup broadcasting rights vary by country. In the United States, FIFA World Cup 2026 matches will air on FOX and FS1, while U.K. viewers can watch matches through BBC and ITV, with streaming available on BBC iPlayer and ITVX.
Many countries also offer free-to-air coverage through local broadcasters. If you’re unsure which service is showing the tournament in your region, check the official FIFA broadcast listings or your local TV provider’s schedule.