In case you’ve been living under a football (or... soccer)-shaped rock in recent months, you’ll no doubt be aware that the FIFA World Cup is back and kicking off on June 11.
Whether you’re a hardcore fan or a casual observer looking to learn more about the beautiful game, there’s an awful lot of matches to enjoy (104, in fact) between now and the final, which is already scheduled for July 19.
As ever in this world of streaming services, though, it’s not always easy to watch all the games you want to, especially for those in the US. Thankfully, there are options to consider over the next month of non-stop games, including using a VPN.
How to Watch the 2026 World Cup for Free
While we Brits can split hairs on commentary preferences and pundit choices, the UK coverage of the World Cup 2026 will be all-encompassing and cost absolutely nothing to watch (well, maybe a cheeky TV licence for those of us actually living here).
If you're not in the UK, you can access these for free using a VPN. If you've already got one, huzzah, you're good to go.
On matchdays over the next month, just connect to a UK server on your laptop, phone, or even Fire TV Stick, and hey presto, you're in. Roll on up to BBC iPlayer or ITV X, and stream the World Cup games for free.
If you're not already set up with one, then read on for a few of our recommendations.
Are VPNs Worth It?
A VPN isn't just something to consider for the World Cup. For many people, it's become a standard part of their online toolkit, offering additional privacy, security on public Wi-Fi networks, and access to services while travelling abroad.
The World Cup is simply another example of where a good VPN can prove its worth. If you're already subscribed to a quality VPN service, you can access UK coverage from BBC and ITV while overseas and avoid paying for an additional streaming subscription just to follow the tournament.
I'd personally recommend either NordVPN, Surfshark, or ExpressVPN for those who haven't already got one, but there's plenty of decent premium VPNs out there that are also worth your time.
The broader usefulness is what makes a VPN easier to justify. Rather than being a one-off expense for a month of football, it's a service that can be useful year-round, whether you're travelling, protecting your data on unsecured networks, or accessing the streaming services you already pay for while away from home.
Of course, not all VPNs are created equal. Speed matters, especially when you're streaming live sport, and a poor-quality VPN can leave you dealing with buffering, low-resolution video, and frustrating interruptions. Reliability is equally important, as streaming services and broadcasters often use location detection tools that some VPNs struggle to bypass.
For that reason, it's usually worth investing in a reputable premium VPN rather than simply choosing the cheapest option available. A good service should offer fast connection speeds, strong privacy protections, and reliable access when you need it most, whether that's for the World Cup final or your next trip abroad.
Free options are also available, but I'd never recommended one personally, purely because they are notorious for stealing a whole lot of your personal data, which is the last thing you want when using a VPN.
If you're still looking for a more affordable option, Surfshark is currently running some aggressive discounts that make it one of the better-value VPNs on the market right now. The entry-level Surfshark Starter plan is down to $2.49 per month with an additional three months included, while Surfshark One costs $2.79 per month and Surfshark One+ is available for $4.49 per month.
All three plans include the same extra three months at no additional cost. But, more importantly, you're not paying solely for World Cup access, as a VPN like this can continue earning its keep long after the tournament ends.
2026 World Cup Paid U.S. Streaming Options
If you don't have a VPN and you'd rather just pay for Fox, or you already have Fox, those in the US will able to see all matches on FOX or FS1, with the former covering all of the US team’s games and 30 knockout ties (out of 32).
If you’re looking to watch all 100, you can check out Fubo, a streaming service that’s cable-free and includes FOX and FS1 in its Sports+ News plan. That’ll set you back $45.99 per month for your first month.
Lloyd Coombes is an experienced freelancer in tech, gaming and fitness seen at Polygon, Eurogamer, Macworld, TechRadar and many more. He's a big fan of Magic: The Gathering and other collectible card games, much to his wife's dismay.
