With soccer fans around the world counting down the hours until the Nov. 20 start of the FIFA World Cup, now is the perfect time to sort out exactly how you’re going to watch the games from Qatar, whether that’s in the comfort of your own home, a local bar, or on the sly at your desk at work. Ahem.
Thanks to the proliferation of cable replacement streaming services in recent years, a traditional cable or satellite TV package is no longer necessary to see the likes of soccer superstars Mbappé (France), Messi (Argentina), Pulisic (USA), Neymar (Brazil), and Ronaldo (Portugal) in action.
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The biggest change since 2018, the last time we analyzed World Cup streaming options, is that you can watch the entire tournament this year for as little as $5—as long as you speak Spanish or don’t mind Spanish-language commentary.
That’s because Peaco*ck Premium, which costs $4.99 per month, will stream every showdown, from the opening match between host Qatar and Ecuador to the Dec. 18 final, with Spanish commentary.
This makes Peaco*ck Premium the least expensive way to watch the entire tournament, outside of using an over-the-air antenna or one of those free-but-perilous sports streams you find via Google searches. Again, as long as you’re willing to brush up on your Spanish.
Of course, there are other ways to watch the World Cup.
The Fox broadcast network and the FS1 cable channel will show the tournament in English, while the broadcast network Telemundo and the cable channel NBC Universo will carry the tournament in Spanish. Most matches will appear on the broadcast channels, with only a handful on cable.
You’ll also be able to find the action on the major cable replacement services, including DirectTV Stream, Sling TV, and YouTube TV.
Those services stream cable channels over the internet, making it easy to watch on smartphones, tablets, laptops, and smart TVs. You can also tune in on a non-smart TV using a Roku or Chromecast streaming player.
The services typically start between $35 and $65 per month and offer access to a variety of cable channels like CNN, Food Network, HGTV, and TBS. The exact lineup varies by service.
Unlike cable or satellite, these services don’t come with lengthy contractual commitments, meaning you could, if you were so inclined, cancel as soon as the tournament wraps up.
What follows is a guide to the major streaming services (from least to most expensive) that will air World Cup action.
Peaco*ck Premium
Device availability: Android, Apple TV, Chromecast, iOS, Roku, Xbox, select smart TVs, web
Price: $4.99 per month
Peaco*ck Premium is one of the least expensive streaming services around, offering a collection of content that ranges from popular comedies like “The Office” to live sports like Sunday Night Football. Every match of the 2022 World Cup will be streamed here with Spanish-language commentary. If you want the play-by-play in English, you have to go with another option.
Sling TV
Device availability: Android, Apple TV, Chromecast, iOS, Roku, Xbox, select smart TVs, web
Price: $40 per month
For $40 per month, you can get the Sling Blue package that includes Fox and FS1, making this the least expensive way for English-language fans to tune in. If you’re a new subscriber, the first month is half off.
Fifty hours of cloud DVR storage is now included with Sling Blue. (It used to cost an extra $5 per month.)
YouTube TV
Device availability: Amazon Fire TV, Android, Apple TV, Chromecast, iOS, Roku, Xbox, PlayStation, select smart TVs, web
Price: $64.99 per month ($54.99 for the first three months)
This cable replacement service offers more than 100 channels, including popular networks like ABC, CNN, and HGTV. World Cup fans will be happy to know that Fox, F1, Telemundo, and NBC Universo are part of the mix, too. All 64 games will be available in 4K. Useful features include an unlimited cloud DVR to store recorded programs.
DirecTV Stream
Device compatibility: Android, Apple TV, Chromecast, iOS, Roku, select smart TVs, web
Price: $69.99 per month
DirecTV Stream, formerly known as DirecTV Now and AT&T TV Now, is another popular cable replacement service that carries the necessary channels to watch the World Cup (including in 4K). It also offers an unlimited cloud DVR.
Fubo TV
Device compatibility: Android, Apple TV, Chromecast, iOS, Roku, Xbox, select smart TVs, web
Price: $69.99 per month ($79.99 per month with 4K)
FuboTV has long been associated with soccer and it’s another good choice for cord cutters. The cheapest tier is roughly $70 per month and includes everything you need to see the tournament. For $10 more, you’ll also get access to 4K content, including those same games in 4K. The $70 tier includes a 1,000-hour cloud DVR, while the $80 option has unlimited cloud storage.
@consumerreports Are you tuned in to the #WorldCup? If so, who are you rooting for? See ratings and reviews on streaming media at cr.org/streaming ⚽️ #worldcup2022 #soccertiktok #fifa22 ♬ original sound - Consumer Reports
Nicholas De Leon
Nicholas De Leon is a senior reporter for Consumer Reports, covering laptops, wireless routers, tablets, and more. He has been at CR since 2017. He previously covered tech for Vice, News Corp, and TechCrunch. He lives in Tucson, Ariz. Follow him on Twitter for all things tech and soccer @nicholasadeleon.
