Aside from the Olympics, there aren’t many as big events as the FIFA World Cup. This is the biggest, most prestigious football competition where nations from across the planet get to show their football skills and prowess with the goal of winning the gold trophy.
In 2024, we’re going to see a lot of teams looking to take the crown. We have England, Germany, France, Portugal, Argentina, Brazil, and other notable teams looking to mess up their opponents’ plans. No doubt, we’ll see Messi, Neymar, and Ronaldo show their impressive skills.
When I say “we,” I think about people who are reading this article aside from our team. Because, unfortunately, not everyone can watch World Cup live stream in 2024, as it’s not broadcasted in every country. The good news is that you can watch World Cup live on a free channel with today’s trick.
If you’re an avid football or soccer fan – call it however you want – I think you’ll want to stay with me until the end. I’ll give you several free channels that stream FIFA World Cup live in 2024, letting you watch every match, from start to finish.
Free Channels for FIFA World Cup Live Streaming
Streaming your favorite sports events seems like a pretty expensive hobby. I mean, the prices of subscriptions on some of the channels are insanely expensive, especially when talking about special events like the FIFA World Cup live stream.
If you don’t have a subscription to a sports channel, you can go for free channels that will let you achieve the same effect in regard to this event. And if you ask me, the solution that I’ll present to you makes much more sense from a financial standpoint, as it’ll save you a lot of money.
So, which free channels stream World Cup live in 2024? Well, one of them is BBC iPlayer. You’ve heard about BBC iPlayer as a UK TV channel that’s completely free and requires you just to make a free account before accessing its content.
The same could be said about ITV, which is another UK TV channel with the same requirements. This channel, along with BBC, will stream the ENTIRE event, from November 20th to December 18th, so you can follow every match and fixture.
Next to these two channels, we can also mention one from Australia – SBS. SBS is a free channel for FIFA World Cup live streaming with high-quality streams with English commentary – same as BBC iPlayer and ITV. On SBS, you will also be able to watch Vuelta a España live.
What’s the catch with these channels, you might ask? Well, these channels are geo-restricted to their respective countries, meaning that you can’t watch them if you don’t live in the UK or Australia. To prove that to you, I’ll try to visit BBC iPlayer in my country.
As you can see, there’s a geo-restriction message saying “BBC iPlayer only works in the UK…”
The same, as you see, applies to SBS (SBS on Demand) which I can’t access because I’m not in Australia. So what is the solution? How to watch FIFA World Cup live stream on a free channel like SBS, BBC iPlayer, or ITV?
How to Stream FIFA World Cup 2024 Live on a Free Channel?
The solution to the aforementioned problem is rather cheap and requires you to use a VPN to unblock the channels I talked about. We on 01net respect copyright holders and these channels, so we can’t exactly recommend using this solution to watch FIFA World Cup 2024 live.
However, doing so isn’t illegal and you won’t get in trouble if you use this trick. In short, use this trick at your own discretion.
Now, back to the subject. A VPN is a service that lets you change your IP address to a different country, which changes your online location in that country. This means that, if you obtain a UK IP address, you should be able to watch BBC iPlayer or ITV abroad.
Conversely, an Australian IP gives you access to SBS, letting you enjoy World Cup streaming to the fullest. The trick is that not every provider can unblock this live stream, as not every provider has servers in Australia and the UK.
Thus, I chose ExpressVPN for today’s tutorial. I found it the most reliable choice with 3,000 servers in 160 locations, making this VPN the best choice for bypassing geo-blocks. Here’s how to use it to access all matches from FIFA World Cup 2024 live.
1. Subscribe to ExpressVPN
The first thing is getting a subscription from ExpressVPN. Now, this isn’t a free VPN, so you’ll still need to pay some money to access the stream you want. The good news is that the provider currently offers a special 49% discount and 3 FREE months for its 12-month plan, dropping the price to $6.67/mo.
Compared to subscriptions to paid channels, this is a very affordable price, which I’ll prove to you later in the article. Besides, you can use ExpressVPN for many purposes, such as accessing the dark web safely and anonymously, downloading torrents, or watching foreign TV channels.
Get a Subscription on ExpressVPN
And there’s a 30-day money-back guarantee for all plans, so you can get reimbursed if you’re not satisfied or you simply don’t need it anymore. To claim this special deal, use the red button, select a plan, and subscribe.
2. Install ExpressVPN’s App
Installing ExpressVPN is a piece of cake. You can use this provider on any device, even on your Smart TV if you want to watch football on a big screen. This time, I’ll use it on Windows, but know that it’ll work the same way on iOS, Android, Linux, and macOS.
Simply download the setup file from ExpressVPN’s site, install it by following the steps on the screen, and open the application.
Once you sign in, you’ll see ExpressVPN’s simplistic dashboard.
3. Connect to a Server in the UK/Australia
Now, it’s time for the most important step – connecting to a VPN server. First, decide on which channel you want. I often use BBC iPlayer to stream FIFA World Cup live, so this is an example that I’ll use now.
To connect to a UK server, you’ll need to open the server list, click on All Locations, and Select Europe. The United Kingdom will be right there. Double-click on it to get a UK IP address and connect to a server located in this country.
When the interface turns green, the connection is successful and your UK IP is in place.
4. Visit BBC/ITV/SBS and Start Streaming
Now, you can freely visit any TV channel out of these 3 and enjoy FIFA World Cup 2024 live streaming without problems. At the time of writing this article, it hasn’t started yet, but here’s proof that I unblocked BBC iPlayer with ExpressVPN:
Needless to say, when the event starts, which is on Sunday, November 20th, you can perform the same trick and watch it live. The first match will be Qatar vs Ecuador, while the reigning champion France will play on November 2024 against Australia.
Best VPN to Watch FIFA World Cup 2024 Live
Let’s now take a look at the best VPNs that will help you stream the World Cup anywhere using these free channels.
1. ExpressVPN
ExpressVPN is my obvious favorite, offering fast-speed servers in 160 worldwide locations. It’s known for stable performance and excellent unblocking capabilities as well, so it’s capable of unblocking BBC iPlayer and other free channels for streaming sports live.
Not to mention its unlimited bandwidth and fastest speeds on the market, which are suitable for 4K streaming without stuttering and buffering. ExpressVPN is extremely easy to use and its apps are identical on all platforms, which eliminates the learning curve for newcomers.
In addition, you can enjoy its 256-bit AES encryption which, in conjunction with a kill switch and a no-logging policy, makes sure you stay anonymous while browsing the internet. The provider even offers 5 simultaneous connections which is useful for protecting multiple devices at the same time.
This means that you can use it for World Cup 2024 live streaming on up to five computers or TVs in your home, which is useful if you have a family or you live with roommates. Besides, the provider has 24/7 live chat support that will help you out if you encounter any issues.
However, issues are the last thing that you’ll encounter with this provider. It’s very reliable, offers impeccable security, and is great for streaming and torrenting. Its price is a bit less affordable than CyberGhost or NordVPN but that shouldn’t worry you that much.
As stated, its 49% discount and 3 free months for the annual plan make this provider an awesome choice. Combined with a 30-day refund period, it gives you a risk-free experience where you can get a refund any time in the first 30 days, for whatever reason.
Pros
- 160 server locations
- Above-average streaming performance
- Very easy to use
- Offers apps for Smart TV and Fire TV Stick
- 3 free months for the 12-month plan
Cons
- Not as cheap as CyberGhost or NordVPN
2. CyberGhost
If you want a cheaper alternative, you can check out CyberGhost. This provider has 9,000+ servers in 91 countries, with special “streaming” servers for this purpose. On its server list, you will find specially optimized servers for BBC iPlayer and ITV, while its Australian servers work with SBS.
This means that accessing these channels will be effortless thanks to CyberGhost’s above-average streaming capabilities. CyberGhost has torrenting servers as well and you can enjoy its applications on all platforms and systems. Unlike ExpressVPN, it offers 7 simultaneous connections.
As a result, you can protect more devices and stay anonymous as soon as you connect to the internet using them. The provider isn’t as intuitive on desktop platforms, but that isn’t a problem, as it offers many security features, some of which include a kill switch, WireGuard, and an ad blocker.
CyberGhost is based in Romania, so you can be sure it offers a no-logging policy if you care about your privacy. It also offers unlimited bandwidth and thanks to a 10 Gbps server infrastructure, you can expect stable and fast performance at any given moment.
This is the cheapest VPN for watching the World Cup live, so it’s an interesting choice for users on a budget. Costing way below $2.5 a month and coming with a 45-day money-back guarantee, I’m sure many of you will want to test it out – and you can do it using the button below!
Check Out CyberGhost’s Cheapest Deal
Pros
- It offers servers for unblocking ITV and BBC
- 7 simultaneous connections
- Solid performance across all servers
- 45-day money-back guarantee for long-term plans
Cons
- Not very intuitive desktop clients
- It won’t work in China and Iran
3. NordVPN
Just in case you don’t like CyberGhost or ExpressVPN, you can try out NordVPN – one of the most secure providers out there. Although its focus is security, don’t think that its 5,400+ servers in 60 countries can’t do streaming.
This is a dependable choice that you can use to unblock not only Netflix and Hulu but also BBC iPlayer, SBS, and ITV anywhere. NordVPN offers a protocol NordLynx. It’s based on WireGuard, and as such, provides blazing-fast performance with no instabilities.
Despite its affordable price, it also includes Threat Protection. It consists of several features such as ad blocker, antivirus, and malware protection, which ensures total privacy online. Double VPN and P2P servers are also a thing here, both contributing to NordVPN’s greatness.
Watching FIFA World Cup 2024 live is extremely easy with this provider thanks to a modern-looking app and one-click connections. You can use it to protect 6 devices at the same time as well, and there’s support for all platforms, including a dedicated app for Android Smart TV and Fire TV Stick.
NordVPN’s main downside is the presence of value-added taxes that can increase the price in some regions. But if you don’t mind a few-percent increase, you can still get this affordable provider with a 30-day money-back guarantee below.
Pros
- NordLynx protocol improves the overall performance
- Malware protection, antivirus, and ad blocker (Threat Protection)
- No-logging policy audited by PwC
Cons
- More expensive price in some countries (VAT)
- Very rare connection issues on Windows
FIFA World Cup 2024 Schedule: Groups, Fixtures, and Dates
Staying in touch with all happenings from FIFA World Cup live isn’t easy if you don’t know more about the groups, dates of each match, and fixtures. Let me give you a complete overview of the 2024 World Cup to make sure you’re up to date with all that’s happening.
Groups
Group A:
- Ecuador
- The Netherlands
- Senegal
- Qatar
Group B:
- England
- The USA
- Wales
- Iran
Group C:
- Argentina
- Mexico
- Poland
- Saudi Arabia
Group D:
- Australia
- Denmark
- France
- Tunisia
Group E:
- Costa Rica
- Germany
- Japan
- Spain
Group F:
- Canada
- Croatia
- Belgium
- Morocco
Group G:
- Cameroon
- Brazil
- Serbia
- Switzerland
Group H
- Ghana
- Uruguay
- South Korea
- Portugal
Schedule (Dates & Times)
If you want to stream World Cup 2024 live, let’s check out the group stage schedule which lasts from November 20th to December 2nd.
Group Stage
November 20:
- Ecuador vs Qatar (4 pm GMT)
November 21:
- England vs Iran (1 pm)
- Senegal vs The Netherlands (4 pm)
- The United States vs Wales (7 pm)
November 22:
- Argentina vs Saudi Arabia (10 am)
- Denmark vs Tunisia (1 pm)
- Poland vs Mexico (4 pm)
- Australia vs France (7 pm)
November 23:
- Croatia vs Morocco (10 am)
- Germany vs Japan (1 pm)
- Spain vs Costa Rica (4 pm)
- Canada vs Belgium (7 pm)
November 24:
- Cameroon vs Switzerland (10 am)
- Uruguay vs South Korea (1 pm)
- Portugal vs Ghana (4 pm)
- Brazil vs Serbia (7 pm)
November 25:
- Wales vs Iran (10 am)
- Qatar vs Senegal (1 pm)
- The Netherlands vs Ecuador (4 pm)
- England vs The United States (7 pm)
November 26:
- Tunisia vs Australia (10 am)
- Poland vs Saudi Arabia (1 pm)
- France vs Denmark (4 pm)
- Argentina vs Mexico (7 pm)
November 27:
- Japan vs Costa Rica (10 am)
- Belgium vs Morocco (1 pm)
- Croatia vs Canada (4 pm)
- Spain vs Germany (7 pm)
November 28:
- Cameroon vs Serbia (10 am)
- South Korea vs Ghana (1 pm)
- Brazil vs Switzerland (4 pm)
- Portugal vs Uruguay (7 pm)
November 29:
- Ecuador vs Senegal (3 pm)
- The Netherlands vs Qatar (3 pm)
- Iran vs The United States (7 pm)
- Wales vs England (7 pm)
November 30:
- Tunisia vs France (3 pm)
- Australia vs Denmark (3 pm)
- Poland vs Argentina (7 pm)
- Saudi Arabia vs Mexico (7 pm)
December 1:
- Canada vs Morocco (3 pm)
- Croatia vs Belgium (3 pm)
- Japan vs Spain (7 pm)
- Costa Rica vs Germany (7 pm)
December 2:
- Ghana vs Uruguay (3 pm)
- South Korea vs Portugal (3 pm)
- Serbia vs Switzerland (7 pm)
- Cameroon vs Brazil (7 pm)
The Knockout Stage
The Knockout Stage starts on December 3th and lasts until December 6th. Here, we’ll see teams from the first two places in each group battling it out for the quarter-finals.
Each day, matches will start at 3 pm and 7 pm GMT and you can watch this part of the World Cup live on BBC iPlayer, ITV, and SBS as well.
Quarter-Finals & Semi-Finals
Quarter-finals of the World Cup 2024 will last from December 9-10, with two matches a day – one at 3 pm, and one at 7 pm.
Semi-finals will play out from December 13-14, one match a day, each starting at 7 pm.
World Cup 2024 Finals
On December 17th, you can watch the third-place payoff at 3 pm and finally, on Sunday (December 18th). you can watch World Cup 2024 finals live at 3 pm.
Should I Pay For a TV Channel for FIFA World Cup 2024 Streaming?
The free channels I presented aren’t the only options for watching World Cup live. There are many other channels in many other countries that you can pay for, so let’s check out how much they’ll cost you compared to a VPN subscription and a free channel like ITV, BBC iPlayer, or SBS.
US Channels
In the US, you have a plethora of options where you can watch stream FIFA World Cup live. The channel that’ll let you do that is FOX Sports but this is a paid channel that you can access through several services, such as:
- FuboTV – costs $77/mo
- Hulu + Live TV – costs $70/mo
- Sling Blue – starts at $35/mo
You then have a channel called Telemundo, which has Spanish commentary and is accessible through Hulu + Live TV, as well as DirecTV Stream which costs $75/mo.
Canadian Channels
The only channel in Canada that broadcasts this event is called BellMedia. It offers English commentary as well, but it costs 20 CAD a month which is close to 15 USD.
New Zealand Channels
In New Zealand, you can use SkyGo to watch World Cup online but it costs 40 NZD each month, which, converted to USD, is close to $24 a month.
As you can see, all of these channels are way more expensive than getting a VPN subscription and using free channels to stream this event that way. Providers from our list cost anywhere from $2 to $7 a month, which can be up to 30+ times cheaper than some of the aforementioned TV channels.
So should you pay for a TV channel to watch this spectacle? If you have a subscription, that’s okay. But if you don’t, you shouldn’t, especially if you’re not located in any of these countries, as you’ll need a VPN to unblock them, which adds to the overall price.
Summary
With the biggest and most prominent football event on the way, true football fans won’t want to miss out on heart-pumping matches that await. Thankfully, you can stream World Cup 2024 online on free channels like SBS, ITV, and BBC iPlayer by using a VPN.
The best of all is that it’s fairly simple and requires no special technical knowledge. I gave you a full tutorial on how to use a VPN to bypass geo-restrictions and unblock these channels, as well as several great VPNs for streaming FIFA World Cup live anywhere.
Now it’s up to you to get a subscription, follow the steps, and enjoy nearly a month of awesome football! And if you’re a big sports fan, you’ll be happy to know that you can reproduce this trick to watch the Rugby World Cup and many other sporting events.
FAQ
Let’s answer a few more questions related to this event.
Where will the World Cup 2024 be played?
It’s going to be played in Qatar across 8 stadiums that include:
- Al Thumama Stadium
- Al Bayt Stadium
- Khalifa International Stadium
- Ahmad bin Ali Stadium
- Lusail Iconic Stadium
- Stadium 974
- Al Janoub Stadium
- Education City Stadium
Which countries will host the next World Cup in 2026?
In 2026, the World Cup will be hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico combined. It is going to be the largest World Cup consisting of 48 countries and 80 matches, rather than the 32 countries and 64 matches that will transpire in 2024.
When can I buy tickets for the World Cup 2024?
You can buy tickets whenever you want, up until December 18th when the finals will be played. Of course, the price for the finals will be higher and the price is different for international buyers and those living in Qatar.
Make sure you check FIFA’s website, create an account, and see how much it’ll cost you. Prices vary according to several parameters, which include categories (1, 2, 3, 4) as well as the fixture for which you’re buying a ticket.
