How do you watch the World Cup if you don’t have cable?

If you don’t have a TV provider, you have a few options. Cable apps including DIRECTV STREAM, fuboTV, Hulu + Live TV, Sling TV, Vidgo and YouTube TV will be streaming the games live. All you need is an internet-connected device such as a smart TV, streaming box or game system. Of those options, Sling TV’s “blue” package is the least expensive at $40 a month and half off the first month. Other things to consider: YouTube TV comes with Telemundo, which owns the Spanish-language broadcast rights to the World Cup. A few of the services offer five- or seven-day free trials, if you’re just looking to catch one or two matches. (Don’t forget to cancel.) Check the list of compatible devices to make sure yours will work. If you’re okay catching up after the fact, Fox’s streaming service Tubi will offer free on-demand replays of each match 30 minutes after. Since NBC-owned Telemundo is the official Spanish-language broadcaster of the World Cup in the United States, every game in the tournament will play live on NBC’s app Peacock for a $4.99 subscription. (Peacock has been offering a subscription for 99 cents a month for one year, with some restrictions.)

What can you see if you have a cable subscription?

For the still-have-cable folks, Fox Sports will show all 64 matches live between its channels Fox and FS1. You can also use your cable log-in to watch live coverage on the Fox Sports App. Here’s a full match schedule .

What if I buy a TV antenna?

Fox is an over-the-air channel, so depending on your location and antenna, you should be able to pick it up with some inexpensive rabbit ears. FS1, on the other hand, is cable only. Check a match schedule before you invest in antenna, though, as not every match will appear on Fox.

Can I watch it on regular YouTube?

Yes, but not full matches. The Fox Soccer account will show highlights after the fact.

What will be on other social media?

Wherever you hang out online, there will probably be some World Cup content waiting for you. On Twitter, Fox will share live pregame shows from its accounts @FOXSports and @FOXSoccer . Keep in mind that soccer is the most-talked-about sport on the platform — more than basketball, American football and baseball combined, Twitter says — so there’s sure to be lots of play-by-play commentary as well as updates from popular team accounts including Mexico , France , Japan and the United States . During last year’s Olympics , TikTok turned heads as big-name athletes shared behind-the-scenes glimpses of life during the games. The same could be true during the World Cup. Expect commentary from the official Manchester City account , updates from national teams and players and, of course, near-infinite remixes of the iconic grito de gol . (TikTok has said it takes steps to make sure pirated clips don’t appear on its app. But if the World Cup is anything like the Olympics, expect to see screen captures of big moments.) On Twitch, soccer accounts such as Men in Blazers will host World Cup watch-alongs with athlete and celebrity guests.

Can you watch the World Cup in 4k?

If you’re watching broadcast, cable or the Fox Sports App, each match will be shown in 4K. YouTube TV subscribers willing to spend a few extra bucks can upgrade to “4K Plus” to watch the games in ultra HD.

Can I borrow a cable log-in?

You can try. Cable providers generally ask that you keep password-sharing within your “household,” even as some streaming services appear to be cracking down on the anything-goes password sharing many of us are accustomed to.

World Cup

How to watch the World Cup on a budget

By Tatum Hunter

Updated December 15, 2022 at 4:00 a.m. EST|Published November 16, 2022 at 6:00 a.m. EST

(Gabriel Corbera/Folio Art for The Washington Post)

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4 min

Major televised events are steadily migrating from traditional broadcast to online streaming. But that’s not always fast enough for eager audiences.

Take the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. Where viewers could catch the tournament’s dozens of matches — filled so far with major upsets and Cinderella stories — was up to rights-holder Fox. The media giant nudged viewers toward its cable channels and paid app. Its free streaming app Tubi, meanwhile, got the leftovers: on-demand replays.

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But cable cord-cutters need not fear — there are plenty of places to watch Sunday’s finals between France and Argentina. From cable alternatives to social media, here’s where to watch the last matches play out.

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