I witnessed Argentina’s triumph over France in the 2022 FIFA World Cup final, their third championship victory. Now I look ahead to the 2026 World Cup, but before that comes the Women’s World Cup, which I’ll be following when it begins on June 20th, 2023.
In a hurry? You can watch the World Cup on the Fox Sports channels, which you can get with the following services:
- Fubo: The best streaming service for international sports also provides 150+ well-selected channels. Fubo allows you to try out its service with a free trial.
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Table Of Contents
The FIFA World Cup is the world’s most popular single-sport event. It is held every four years and features the best men’s national soccer teams as evidenced by their performances in qualifiers that had been played over the previous years in addition to the host country or countries receiving automatic berths.
The World Cup is as big as it gets.
Christian Pulisic, Team USA
For the most part, this event can be easily watched throughout the world. For those in the US, you will want to secure access to at least two of Fox, Fox Sports 1, Telemundo, and Universo.
Some streaming services to consider include FuboTV, Hulu + Live TV, DIRECTV STREAM, YouTube TV, and Sling TV.
How to Watch the FIFA World Cup
You have to show up in the World Cup, and in the World Cup anything can happen.
Lionel Messi, Argentina National Team
The World Cup is broadcast all over the world. How to watch it varies, however.
How to Watch the World Cup in the United States (With Cable)
Fox/FS1 and Telemundo/Universo own the broadcasting rights in the US.
The Fox channels will air English-language commentary and the NBC channels will feature Spanish-language announcers.
How to Watch Team USA Matches
Find out how to watch the Stars and Stripes in our guide to World Cup Team USA — including match schedules, live streaming options, and more.
How to Watch the World Cup Online With Streaming Services (Without Cable)
All of these channels are available through streaming services:
- FuboTV: This streaming service ($79.99/month) is a great place to watch the World Cup as Fox, FS1, Telemundo, and Universo are all included in its base plan. It comes with unlimited cloud DVR and simultaneous streaming on 10 devices. (FuboTV review and World Cup Streaming Guide).
- Sling TV: This is a great option if you also use an antenna. Sling TV offers great hardware deals that allow you to combine streaming and OTA channels in its app. Sling Blue includes Fox (select areas) and FS1 for just $40.00/month. You also get 50 hours of cloud DVR storage and streaming on up to 3 devices. (Sling TV review and World Cup Streaming Guide).
- DIRECTV STREAM: To get Fox and FS1 through DIRECTV STREAM, you just need its Entertainment plan ($86.99/month). The Español add-on ($15/mo) including almost 60 other channels including Telemundo and Universo. All plans come with unlimited cloud DVR storage as long as you sign-up online and streaming on unlimited devices at once. (DIRECTV STREAM review and Streaming Guide).
- Hulu + Live TV: The base plan ($82.99/month) provides access to Fox, FS1, and Telemundo. However, if you also want to gain access to Universo, you need to get the Espanol add-on ($4.99/mo) as well. The base plan comes with unlimited cloud DVR (9 month storage) and streaming on two devices at once. (Hulu + Live TV review and Hulu Live FIFA World Cup Streaming Guide).
- YouTube TV: For $82.99/month, this is a solid choice for watching the World Cup as it offers access to Fox, FS1, Telemundo, and Universo in its base plan.
How Can I Watch the World Cup in 4K?
Here’s a list of streaming services and cable channels that offer 4K World Cup coverage:
- FuboTV’s Elite plan
- YouTube TV with the 4K add-on
- Fox
- FS1
In all of these cases, you’ll need a device that’s capable of showing 4K content like Chromecast Ultra, Xbox One, Amazon Fire 4K, some mobile phones/tablets, a 4K smart TV, or an HD OTA antenna.
See our 4K streaming guide for more information about 4K without cable.
How to Watch the World Cup With an HD Antenna
Several World Cup matches are shown on Fox and Telemundo, which are over-the-air networks. As a result, simply using an antenna will allow you to catch all of those games.
One note to consider for matches on both Fox and Telemundo is that the latter will always have on-site commentators while some Fox-broadcast games will have commentators who are off-site.
Fox will show 21 of the 48 group-stage matches in 2022 with the remainder being pushed to FS1. Conversely, Telemundo will broadcast as many group-stage matches as possible, 40, with eight being shown on Universo out of necessity because those occur while two matches are being played simultaneously.
From the Round of 16 through to the final, Fox will show 14 of 16 matches (all but two Knockout Stage games), while Telemundo is broadcasting all 16 of those contests.
How to Watch the World Cup Outside of the US
Each country has its own broadcasting rights arrangements with FIFA for World Cup coverage.
How to Watch the World Cup in Canada
CTV, TSN, and RDS team up to provide coverage of World Cup matches to Canadians. Television ratings for the 2022 edition are expected to be especially high with Canada’s national team participating for the first time since 1986.
For other soccer coverage in Canada, check out FuboTV.
How to Watch the World Cup in United Kingdom
BBC and ITV are sharing coverage in the UK, broadcasting matches for those in England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland. Both are over-the-air channels.
How to Watch the World Cup in Ireland
Those located in the Republic of Ireland should tune to RTE to watch coverage of World Cup games.
How to Watch the World Cup in Australia
SBS is the FIFA World Cup rights holder in Australia. The network will broadcast all 64 matches with free access.
How to Watch the World Cup in New Zealand
Sky Sport owns broadcasting rights for World Cup matches within the country of New Zealand.
How to Watch the World Cup With a VPN
VPNs allow you to control your streaming.
What Devices Can I Use to Live Stream the FIFA World Cup?
To win the World Cup, you win it one bit at a time.
Julen Lopetegui, former La Liga player, current coach of Wolverhampton Wanderers (Premier League)
You can watch the World Cup on most streaming devices in use today. All the US-based services support these:
- Amazon Fire TV
- Android mobile
- Apple TV
- Chromecast
- iOS (iPhone,iPad)
- Roku
- Web browsers.
Most services also support Android TV devices and Samsung smart TVs.
For streaming, FuboTV, Sling, Hulu, and YouTube support LG and VIZIO smart TVs as well as Xbox systems. Hulu and YouTube also support PlayStation consoles.
See our reviews about devices.
2022 FIFA World Cup Schedule
Every game at the World Cup is like a final.
Aaron Mooy, Australia National Team
The Opening Ceremony starts Sunday November 20 at .
All the times listed below are Eastern Standard (EST). To convert them to different places, see our Time Zone list.
World Cup Group Stage Schedule
The Group stage is the first round of the FIFA World Cup where each team plays all the others in its group.
Here are all the games in December, listed in the order they’re played.
- Thu Dec 1 : Croatia vs Belgium (Fox)
- Thu Dec 1 : Canada vs Morocco (FS1)
- Thu Dec 1 : Japan vs Spain (Fox)
- Thu Dec 1 : Costa Rica vs Germany (FS1)
- Fri Dec 2 : South Korea vs Portugal (Fox)
- Fri Dec 2 : Ghana vs Uruguay (FS1)
- Fri Dec 2 : Serbia vs Switzerland (FS1)
- Fri Dec 2 : Cameroon vs Brazil (Fox)
World Cup Schedule For the Round of 16
- Sat Dec 3 : Netherlands vs USA (Fox)
- Sat Dec 3 : Argentina vs Australia (Fox)
- Sun Dec 4 : France vs Poland (FS1)
- Sun Dec 4 : England vs Senegal (FS1)
- Mon Dec 5 : Croatia vs Japan (Fox)
- Mon Dec 5 : Brazil vs South Korea (Fox)
- Tue Dec 6 : Morocco vs Spain (Fox)
- Tue Dec 6 : Portugal vs Switzerland (Fox)
World Cup Schedule For the Quarter Finals
- Fri December 9 : Croatia vs Brazil (Fox)
- Fri December 9 : Netherlands vs Argentina (Fox)
- Sat December 10 : Morocco vs Portugal (Fox)
- Sat December 10 : France vs England (Fox)
World Cup Schedule For the Semi-Finals
- Tue Dec 13 : Argentina vs Croatia (Fox)
- Wed Dec 14 : Morocco vs France (Fox)
World Cup Schedule For the Third-Place Play-Off
- Sat Dec 17 : Croatia vs Morocco (Fox)
World Cup Final Date, Time, and Channel
- Sun Dec 18 : Argentina vs France
FIFA World Cup Overview
The World Cup is not just a great global sporting event, it is also inscribed with much deeper cultural and political importance.
Martin Jacques, British journalist and author
FIFA is short for Fédération Internationale de Football Association, or the International Federation of Association Football. It is the worldwide organizing body for the sport, and it oversees numerous world championships.
In addition to the FIFA World Cup, it also organizes the FIFA Women’s World Cup, U-20 and U-17 World Cups for both men and women, and the FIFA Club World Cup, its only club-based competition.
In addition, it teams up with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to organize Olympic competitions while FIFA-run beach soccer and futsal (indoor soccer) events are also held.
Its most significant former competition was the FIFA Confederations Cup, which involved these national teams: the six continental champions, the host country, and the defending World Cup winners. It was last held in 2017.
Wrapping Up
When you’re part of a World Cup, it’s always now or never.
Kevin De Bruyne, Belgium National Team
In order to view World Cup matches in the US, you have a few options.
An antenna will grant you access to games being shown on your local Fox and Telemundo affiliates. Meanwhile, streaming services provide access to all of the channels.
For the FIFA World Cup, we recommend FuboTV. Fubo allows you to try out its service with a free trial.
FAQs
How can I unblock live World Cup matches?
The licensing of World Cup matches is extremely complicated and can interfere with your viewing matches that should be free to watch. You can avoid these blocked matches with a VPN. VPNs are powerful tools that allow you to circumvent badly operating geolocation software that stops you from watching matches you have the right to. For complete information on using a VPN to unblock matches, see our World Cup VPN Guide.
What have been some highlights so far of the 2022 World Cup?
There have been a number of exciting moments at the World Cup this year, so many that it’s impossible to list them all. Here are just a few as of this writing (December 1, ):
- Japan’s stunning upset win over Germany, clinching Japan’s Group E standing for the Round of 16
- Host country Qatar’s devastating loss to Ecuador (Group A) in the opening game
- Belgium’s elimination from Group F after drawing 0-0 with Croatia (and the subsequent departure of Roberto Martinez as manager of the Belgian national team)
- Also in Group F, Morocco’s 2-1 defeat of Canada, giving them their first place in the final 16 in 36 years
- Christian Pulisic’s goal over Iran in Group B, leading USMNT to advance to the Knockout Stage
- Stéphanie Frappart’s history-making turn as the first woman referee at the men’s World Cup (Germany v Costa Rica)
- Cristiano Ronaldo, in the second half of Group H’s Portugal v Ghana match, becoming the first men’s player to score in 5 World Cups consecutively
See our Today’s Matches page for the the latest news and standings.
What teams have been eliminated from the World Cup?
The following teams were eliminated at the Group Stage:
- Belgium
- Cameroon
- Canada
- Costa Rica
- Denmark
- Ecuador
- Germany
- Ghana
- Iran
- Mexico
- Qatar
- Saudi Arabia
- Serbia
- Tunisia
- Uruguay
- Wales
These teams were eliminated so far in the Knockout Stage:
- Australia
- Brazil
- England
- Japan
- Netherlands
- Poland
- Portugal
- Senegal
- South Korea
- Spain
- Switzerland
- USMNT (USA)
What is the weakest team playing in Qatar 2022?
Although Qatar is the least proven entrant in the 2022 tournament, it’s Group D’s Australia that likely faces the steepest hill to climb. The Socceroos are short on quality talent, especially on the attack, and they come into the competition on a thoroughly uninspiring run of form. Meanwhile, the enigmatic Qatar side may receive a modest boost in the form of the traditional “host-nation bounce.”
What is the strongest team playing in Qatar 2022?
Brazil enters the 2022 Qatar World Cup’s Group G in scorching form, having lost only once in its last 29 matches. Neymar is undoubtedly the talisman for the Selecao, but he’s surrounded by a deep and ultra-talented cast that includes the likes of Richarlison, Gabriel Jesus, and Vinícius Júnior — not to mention Alisson in goal. It’s worth noting, however, that Brazil’s lone loss of late came against its closest competitor in the tournament: Lionel Messi’s Argentina in Group C.
What is the weakest group in World Cup 2022?
Host nations traditionally land in relatively weak groups, so it’s no surprise that Group A — in which Qatar is matched with Ecuador, Senegal, and the Netherlands — is clearly the weakest draw in the 2022 World Cup. The #8-ranked Dutch are always formidable, but the absence of injured Sadio Mane will be a big blow to a potentially feisty Senegal side. Ecuador and Qatar, meanwhile, barely make the top 50 in the current FIFA World Rankings.
What is the strongest group in World Cup 2022?
It may not be the traditional Grupo de la Muerte, but Group E is arguably the toughest of several extremely competitive groups at Qatar 2022. With a pair of traditional powerhouses in Spain and Germany, the group features no shortage of world-class superstars. Japan and Costa Rica, meanwhile, are deceptively talented and plenty capable of putting up a good fight.
Why is Qatar 2022 being boycotted?
Controversy has surrounded the 2022 World Cup from the start, with host-nation Qatar coming under fire for allegations ranging from corruption to human rights violations. Migrant workers labored under extreme conditions to build the tournament’s supporting infrastructure, reportedly leading to thousands of deaths. Additionally, many people and advocacy groups have opposed Qatar’s stance toward women and LGBTQ+ rights. It has also been alleged that the process to award Qatar the World Cup was corrupt.
What is the population of Qatar?
Qatar currently has a population of just over 2.93 million, making it the smallest country ever to host a World Cup tournament. Most of the nation’s residents are concentrated in and around the capital city of Doha and surrounding Al Rayyan, where most of the action will take place throughout the competition. The country itself is approximately the same size as the state of Connecticut.
What time zone is Qatar in?
Qatar is located in the Arabian Standard Time (AST) time zone, which is also denoted as UTC +3. This time zone is eight hours ahead of Eastern Standard Time (EST), so a match played at 6 p.m. in Qatar would be broadcast at 10 a.m. on the US East Coast.
What times are 2022 World Cup matches being played?
With the 2022 World Cup taking place in the Middle East, match times will be early in the US, some kicking off at 5 am EST. On days when four matches are played, they will start at 5 am, 8 am, 11 am, and 2 pm EST. Meanwhile, all knockout phase contests will kick off at either 10 am or 2 pm EST.
To convert EST to other time zones, use the following:
- Hawaii: subtract 5 hours
- San Francisco: subtract 3 hours
- Rio de Janeiro: subtract 2 hours
- London: add 5 hours
- Berlin: add 6 hours
- Moscow: add 8 hours
- Dubai: add 9 hours
- Mumbai: add 10.5 hours
- Singapore: add 13 hours
- Beijing: add 13 hours
- Tokyo: add 14 hours
- Sydney: add 16 hours
- Auckland: add 18 hours
How can I watch World Cup matches for free?
The FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 is pretty well set up to allow people to watch. In most locations, at least some games can be watched for free. Here are some of your choices:
- Watch matches that air on Fox and Telemundo with an antenna (this is most matches and all of the knockout ones).
- Use free trials from DIRECTV STREAM, FuboTV, and YouTube TV.
- Watch replays on Tubi.
- Visit a sports bar or similar where matches are being shown
- Watch at a friend’s house.
- Use a VPN to stream a free broadcast.
Who has won the World Cup?
Only eight countries have ever lifted either the Jules Rimet Trophy (1930-70) or FIFA World Cup Trophy (1974-present). Brazil has set the pace by doing so five times while Italy and Germany have done so four times apiece. The latter once did this as a unified country and three times as West Germany. Argentina, Uruguay, and France have two championships apiece while England and Spain have both won one.
Why is the 2022 World Cup being played in the winter?
World Cups had always been played in the Northern Hemisphere’s summer months, but that changed in 2022. The original plan was for that edition to be played during the summer as well. But even with air-conditioned stadiums, Qatar’s summer daily high temperatures of 108 degrees caused the plan to be scrapped. The event was moved to the winter when highs are around 80 instead.
What stadiums will the World Cup be played at in Qatar?
Several stadiums will be used, many of them built specifically for the World Cup, while some existing stadiums got extensive facelifts. Here’s a complete list of all Qatar World Cup game venues:
- Lusail Iconic Stadium, Lusail
- Al Bayt Stadium, Al Khor
- Stadium 974, Doha
- Al Thumama Stadium, Doha
- Khalifa International Stadium, Al Rayyan
- Education City Stadium, Al Rayyan
- Ahmad bin Ali Stadium, Al Rayyan
- Al Janoub Stadium, Al Wakrah
How can I watch the World Cup from other countries?
We have guides on how to watch all of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 from different countries:
How can I watch other soccer leagues and events?
These guides provide detailed information:
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My expertise in sports coverage, particularly for out-of-market games and regional sports networks, stems from years of hands-on experience as an early adopter of streaming services and my work addressing fans' viewing challenges. As a longtime cord-cutter and subscriber to multiple streaming platforms, I combine my technical knowledge with practical user experience, making me a leading expert in the field of sports streaming and entertainment technology.
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