World Cup 2022: How to live stream the final online from anywhere for free

The official adidas matchball for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 is pictured in Doha, Qatar
(Image credit: Alexander Hassenstein/FIFA/Getty)

The FIFA World Cup 2022 final has arrived. There's just one game left of the tournament, Argentina vs France. It's a showdown between two giants of international soccer, and it's a pairing that is more than fitting of a World Cup final. Lionel Messi will look to cap off his remarkable career with the one trophy that has always eluded him, but France are hoping to become the first team to win back-to-back World Cups since 1962. It's shaping up to be an unmissable match for fans and neutrals alike.  

World Cup 2022 next game

Next game (Sunday, Dec. 18):
Argentina vs France
• Time — 3 p.m. GMT / 10 a.m. ET / 7 a.m. PT / 2 a.m. AEDT (Dec. 18)
U.S. Watch on FOX via Sling
• U.K. — Watch on BBC or ITV via BBC iPlayer or ITVX
• Watch anywhere — try ExpressVPN 100% risk free

The World Cup 2022 has been a remarkable tournament full of shock results, thrilling matches and unbelieve goals. And after more than 60 matches, it all comes down to one final game. The winners will write their names into the sporting history books, while the losing team will be inconsolable. Whatever the result it's an occasion not to be missed. After all, Argentina vs France in the World Cup final 2022 has all the ingredients for a legendary tie. 

And the good news is that Tom’s Guide is afield with our complete guide to watching the World Cup 2022. Below we'll cover everything you need to know about streaming the final game of the tournament. 

The game is being live-streamed around the globe, and it’s particularly easy to watch in the U.S. and U.K. But don’t worry if you live somewhere else, or are abroad for the grand finale of the World Cup, we’re here to help ensure you don’t miss a moment. Just read on to find out how and where to watch the final game of World Cup 2022 , wherever you are and for free. 

Today's World Cup 2022 games

Today (Sunday, Dec. 18) it's the World Cup 2022 final. Argentina vs France is the last and most important game of the entire tournament. Lionel Messi vs Kylian Mbappe in the biggest game in not just soccer, but arguably all of sports. Even if you're not a soccer nut, you will not want to miss this game as it really could go either way.

How to watch every World Cup 2022 game

How to watch World Cup 2022 live streams for FREE 

Every single game of World Cup 2022 will be available to watch on free-to-air television in multiple countries, and that’s good news regardless of where you happen to be for the duration of the tournament. 

In the U.K. football fans can enjoy every game of World Cup 2022 across BBC and ITV. As is traditional, the tournament will be split across both channels with the final airing on both. And you can opt to watch online as well via BBC iPlayer or ITV Hub. Just note that you will need a valid TV license in order to watch. 

The World Cup 2022 will also be free to watch in Australia via SBS (or online on SBS On-Demand). In India the tournament will be broadcast on Sports18, but you can also watch for free on the JioCinema app. Other countries with free-to-air coverage of the World Cup 2022 include Germany (via ZDF and ARD), France (via TF1), Spain on (via Mediaset) and Italy (via RAI)  

If you’re normally in one of these countries but happen to be abroad right now, you won’t miss out if you watch using one of the best VPNs. These allow you to watch your go-to streaming wherever in the world you are.

Our favorite right now is ExpressVPN, thanks to its combination of superb speed, great customer service and excellent device support. It also offers a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you could watch the World Cup without having to sign up long-term.

How to watch World Cup 2022 live streams from anywhere with a VPN 

If you're not in your home country during the World Cup 2022 and are unable to live stream a game from wherever you are, you can still tune in via a virtual private network, or VPN. A VPN makes it appear that you're surfing the web from your home town — meaning that you can access the streaming services you already pay for. It's all totally legal and easy to do.

We've tested many different VPN services and our favorite is ExpressVPN; it offers superb speeds, excellent customer service and a no-questions-asked 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can try it out first to see if it's right for you. But you've got other VPN options too, so check out our full list of the best VPN services.

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Speed, security and simplicity combine to make ExpressVPN our favorite VPN service. In our testing, we were impressed by its fast connection times and by its ability to access more than 3,000 services in 160 locations across 94 countries. A 30-day money-back guarantee is another bonus.

Using a VPN is incredibly simple.

1. Install the VPN of your choice. As we've said, ExpressVPN is our favorite.

2. Choose the location you wish to connect to in the VPN app. For instance if you're in the U.S. and want to view a U.K. service, you'd select U.K. from the list.

3. Sit back and enjoy the action. Head to BBC iPlayer or ITV Hub and watch the game.

Exclusive Tom's Guide Discount: Save 49% on the 12-month ExpressVPN plan

World Cup 2022 live streams by country

How to watch World Cup 2022 live streams in the US 

US flag

(Image credit: Shutterstock)

Soccer fans in the U.S. can watch the World Cup 2022 across the Fox network. The group stage coverage will be split between FOX and Fox Sports 1 (FS1), with the knockout rounds airing on FOX. These channels may be accessible as part of your cable package or with one of our best TV antenna picks.  

If you've cut the cord and don't have cable, you have plenty of options, too. Our pick of these would be Sling TV: the Sling Blue package costs just $40 per month and comes with more than 30 channels including FOX (if you have a local Fox Network on Sling) and FS1. But best of all, right now Sling is offering half off the first month, making it a great way to watch the soccer.

Fubo.TV is another option. This costs $70 per month but gives you 121 channels, including FOX and FS1, plus lots more for sports fans to enjoy. 

Spanish language coverage is available via Telemundo or Peacock. The first 12 games will be available to watch on a free tier account, but streaming the remaining 52 games of the tournament you will require a Peacock Premium subscription ($9.99/month). 

If you already use those services but aren't in the U.S. right now, you can watch World Cup live streams by using a VPN such as ExpressVPN.

But right now, Sling is offering the first month for half price

Sling TV offers two packages, both of which cost $40 a month. The Sling Blue plan comes with 30-plus channels, including Fox and FS1. But right now, Sling is offering the first month for half price.

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If you love sports, you might want to check out Fubo.TV. It's got a 7-day free trial so you don't need to pay up front and has dozens of sports channels, including Fox and FS1. 

How to watch World Cup 2022 live streams in Canada 

Canadian flag

(Image credit: Shutterstock)

If you're in Canada, you can get all the World Cup 2022 games on TSN , as part of a cable TV package. If you've cut the cord, you can sign up for TSN Direct for $19.99 per month or you can take an annual pass which works out at $16.66 per month. Plus, the service is open to all: you don't need to have TSN as part of an existing TV package.

If you live in Canada and already subscribe to TSN , but aren't at home right now, you can still watch a World Cup 2022 live stream by using a quality VPN like ExpressVPN.

How to watch World Cup 2022 live streams in the UK  

British flag

(Image credit: Shutterstock)

Football fans in the UK are very lucky as every single game of World Cup 2022 will be broadcast for free — it is the nation’s sport after all. The games will be split between BBC and ITV, with online coverage available on the BBC iPlayer and ITV Hub

All sounds great, right? But if you're not in the U.K. and have a valid U.K. TV license, you can still follow every single game by using one of the best VPN services, such as ExpressVPN

How to watch World Cup 2022 live streams in Australia 

Australian flag

(Image credit: Shutterstock)

Aussie soccer fans can watch World Cup 2022 for free on SBS. The free-to-air network is available on traditional TV or online by using SBS On-Demand.

Not in Australia right now? You can simply use a VPN to watch all the action on SBS as if you were back home. ExpressVPN is out top pick of the options out there.   

How to watch World Cup 2022 live streams in New Zealand

New Zealand flag

(Image credit: Shutterstock)

Kiwis can access World Cup 2022 live streams via Sky Sport. This costs $60.98 NZD per month, or you could go for the Sky Sport Now service, which gives you just the Sport channels but for a reduced cost of $19.99/week / $39.99/month or $399/year. 

Not at home in New Zealand right now? You can still follow every game by using one of the best VPN services, such as ExpressVPN

World Cup 2022 schedule and TV listings

(All times GMT)

Round of 16

Saturday, December 3

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Sunday, December 4

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Monday, December 5

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3 p.m.Japan 1-1 Croatia (1-3 on pens)BBC
7 p.m.Brazil 4-1 South Korea ITV

Tuesday, December 6

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3 p.m.Morocco 0-0 Spain (3-0 on pens) ITV
7 p.m.Portugal 6-1 SwitzerlandITV

Quarter-finals

Friday, December 9

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3 p.m.Croatia 1-1 Brazil (4-2 on pens)BBC
7 p.m.Netherlands 2-2 Argentina (3-4 on pens)BBC

Saturday, December 10

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Semi-finals

Tuesday, December 13

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Wednesday, December 14

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World Cup 2022 finals

Saturday, December 17

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Sunday, December 18

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3 p.m.Argentina vs FranceBBC/ITV

World Cup 2022 Groups - Final Standings

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GROUP A
Header Cell - Column 0 PLAYEDGDPOINTS
Netherlands347
Senegal316
Ecuador314
Qatar3-60
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GROUP B
Header Cell - Column 0 PLAYEDGDPOINTS
England377
USA315
Iran3-33
Wales3-51
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GROUP C
Header Cell - Column 0 PLAYEDGDPOINTS
Argentina336
Poland304
Mexico 3-14
Saudi Arabia3-23
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GROUP D
Header Cell - Column 0 PLAYEDGDPOINTS
France336
Australia3-16
Tunisia304
Denmark3-21
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GROUP E
Header Cell - Column 0 PLAYEDGDPOINTS
Japan316
Spain364
Germany314
Costa Rica 3-83
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GROUP F
Header Cell - Column 0 PLAYEDGDPOINTS
Morocco 337
Croatia 335
Belgium 3-14
Canada3-50
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GROUP G
Header Cell - Column 0 PLAYEDGDPOINTS
Brazil 336
Switzerland316
Cameroon 304
Serbia3-31
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GROUP H
Header Cell - Column 0 PLAYEDGDPOINTS
Portugal326
South Korea304
Uruguay304
Ghana3-23

World Cup 2022 top scorers

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PLAYERNATIONPLAYEDGOALS
Lionel MessiArgentina65
Kylian Mbappé France55
Olivier GiroudFrance44
Julián ÁlvarezArgentina64
Gonçalo RamosPortugal43

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Rory Mellon
Entertainment Editor (UK)

Rory is an Entertainment Editor at Tom’s Guide based in the UK. He covers a wide range of topics but with a particular focus on gaming and streaming. When he’s not reviewing the latest games, searching for hidden gems on Netflix, or writing hot takes on new gaming hardware, TV shows and movies, he can be found attending music festivals and getting far too emotionally invested in his favorite football team.