The United States may not have caught up to the rest of the world when it comes to appreciating football (soccer), but a growing number of American fans have fallen for the beautiful game in recent years. So, when the FIFA World Cup returns this fall, expect more of your friends to become part of the international audience. With the right video-streaming service, you can join the fun, too. Here’s how to watch the World Cup 2022 online.
When Is the World Cup 2022?
The World Cup 2022 kicks off on Sunday, Nov. 20, with group stage matches beginning at 11 a.m. EST. From there, the tournament moves on to knockout matches, quarterfinals, and semifinals.
The third-place match, Croatia vs. Morocco, takes place on Saturday, Dec. 17 at 10 a.m. EST.
The final championship game, Argentina vs. France, takes place on Sunday, Dec. 18 at 10 a.m. EST.
For a more detailed schedule, check out FIFA’s website.
Which Country Is Hosting the World Cup 2022?
The World Cup 2022 is being held in Lusail City, Qatar. The tournament has faced some controversy for the migrant working conditions surrounding the host country's construction of the Lusail Iconic Stadium, among other human rights concerns. Extreme heat in the region is also why this World Cup is being held later in the year.
Who Qualified for the 2022 World Cup?
Qualifying teams at the World Cup are sorted into groups for the initial games. Here are the eight groups, each consisting of four countries.
- Group A: Qatar, Ecuador, Senegal, Netherlands
- Group B: England, IR Iran, USA, Wales
- Group C: Argentina, Saudi Arabia, Mexico, Poland
- Group D: France, Denmark, Tunisia, Australia
- Group E: Spain, Germany, Japan, Costa Rica
- Group F: Belgium, Canada, Morocco, Croatia
- Group G: Brazil, Serbia, Switzerland, Cameroon
- Group H: Portugal, Ghana, Uruguay, Korea Republic
Where Can I Watch the World Cup 2022?
In the United States, Fox Sports (Fox and FS1) will broadcast the World Cup live. So, if you use YouTube TV or any other live TV streaming service that can access those channels, you can watch these games as they happen.
Several other video-streaming services will let subscribers directly watch the games through the magic of the internet. Catch the World Cup streaming on FuboTV, Peacock, Sling TV, and Vidgo.
How to Stream the World Cup 2022 Overseas?
As an especially global event, most of the World Cup’s audience will come from other countries, and those viewers deserve convenient online streaming options, too. Telemundo will broadcast the games in Spanish, so check for that channel as an option. British viewers can use the BBC iPlayer and the ITV Hub.
Of course, the best way to bypass regional restrictions online is to use a VPN. This not only helps you stay safe and secure online, but also lets you spoof your location to a server in another country. So no matter where you're located, a VPN may let you watch the World Cup. Just note that not every video-streaming service works with every VPN.
What Is the Official Song of FIFA World Cup 2022?
Instead of a single anthem, this time the FIFA World Cup has an entire soundtrack of official songs. If you want to get in the World Cup 2022 spirit, crank up your speakers and listen to "Arhbo" by Ozuna and GIMS; "Hayya Hayya (Better Together)" by Trinidad Cardona, Davido, and AISHA; and "Light The Sky" by Nora Fatehi, Balqees, Rahma Riad, and Manal. You should find the tunes on Spotify or other streaming music services.
Want to watch more than soccer? Check out our picks for the best sports streaming services.