So you want to watch FIFA World Cup in New Zealand but can't find a legal free stream? That's because there is none, and it's only available to Sky subscribers. This costs around $30 per month for Sky Sports NOW or $100+ per month for Sky Sports satellite customers. It's annoying when the rest of the world gets world cup matches for free, supported by advertisements.
With the help of a VPN you can legally watch for free by changing your IP address on command. Continue reading below for instructions.
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How Can I Watch FIFA World Cup 2022 In NZ?
Yes you can, Sky hold the rights to the world cup, so you must purchase a premium subscription to watch all matches live and on-demand. For most, the reliable option is a satellite subscription given the endless issues plagued by the Sky Sport Now application. There's no indication at this stage if kiwis will have to pay a premium for world cup access or if all matches will be streamed to Sky Sport subscribers.
Countries where the FIFA world cup is being streamed for free include; Ireland, Australia, United Kingdom and Russia. Access is usually via a free account.
Using a VPN to change your IP address to a local one from these countries will allow for free legal streaming of the world cup matches with English commentary.
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What is a VPN?
A virtual private network (VPN) is a piece of software that runs in the background on your device and replaces your normal IP address with an overseas one.
With one click you can change your IP address to any country in the world. This makes it possible to unlock local content you usually couldn't access, fast and safe.
Additionally a VPN allows you to remain secure online, by protecting your real identity from prying eyes such as your ISP and local authorities.
VPN's don't track your usage either, allowing you to do whatever you like online.
There's many VPN providers out there, but we only recommend the best and most affordable for New Zealand residents and tourists.
How To Access Fifa World Cup With A VPN
There is no way to watch Fifa World Cup free in New Zealand without using a VPN or Smart DNS provider. Fortunately these are very affordable to purchase. Those free streams are often pirated, laggy and loaded with malware/ads that are harmful to your computer. Using a VPN is legal.
Follow this simple five step process to watch Fifa World Cup within minutes using BBC iPlayer and ITV Player.
1. Purchase Cheapest VPN Plan
PureVPN is one of the most affordable providers out there, with plans starting at $1.99USD per month. This works out to be around $3.15 per month in NZD.
You can purchase with Paypal, VISA, Mastercard, American Express, Bitcoin, Ethereum, Amazon Pay and Google Pay. A full 30 day money back guarantee is included.
2. Download The Application
You'll receive an email with your login details.
Additionally you'll be able to download their software for your device.
They offer support for MacOS, Windows, Linux, FireTV, AppleTV, Android TV, iOS, Android, Xbox, Playstation, Google Chrome, Firefox and Roku.
3. Login To Your VPN Account
Once the app is installed, you'll need to use the username and password to login.
The app will remember your login details for future access.
4. Activate & Choose UK Server
You'll be able to change locations in a matter of seconds. Click connect and once the PureVPN logo lights up green you'll be connected.
If you want fast speeds then choosing the Optimal location will be your best option.
Currently they offer over 63 countries across 6 continents to choose from.
5. Signup & Start Watching
Ensure you're connected to a location where the app is based, i.e. United Kingdom.
Then it's time to visit BBC iPlayer or ITV Player and signup for your free account. Once you've verified your account, you'll be able to watch their content.
You can then disconnect the VPN when you've finished and reload again next time using the quick connect option.
What is the FIFA World Cup?
The FIFA World Cup is an international soccer competition that was first held in 1930 in Uruguay. From there on it has been held in different countries all over the world after every 4 years, with the exception of 1942 & 1946 (due to WWII).
The latest World Cup took place in 2018 and was won by the France National Team, who won it for the second time in their history. The most World Cup titles belong to Brazil, who have raised the trophy 5 times. Just 8 different national teams have managed to win the trophy.
The next world cup will take place in Qatar in 2022.
Italy & Germany have done it 4 times. In addition to France, Argentina & Uruguay have 2 titles and Spain & England have won it once.
In order to make it to the Fifa World Cup, there is a qualification process, where all the national teams are spreaded into groups. Then all the teams play each other twice (home & away) and the group winners automatically qualify for the World Cup.
In some groups the second place also secures automatic qualification and depending on the group size some of the runner up-s go on to a play-off round to determine the last teams to make the World Cup.
A total of 32 teams make the world cup and are then randomly divided into 8 groups, from where the 2 top finishers advance to the Round of 16. From there on the tournament is carried on in a Knockout format.
That means no more drawing, as if the game is finished equal after 90 minutes, there will be extra time, which lasts for 2x15 minute periods. If the score is still even then, a penalty shoot-out will decide the winner.
The next World Cup is scheduled to take place in 2022 in Qatar. That will be the first tournament to host 48 teams with a new format.
This decision was made by FIFA (Fédération Internationale de Football Association) in order to accommodate more national teams to form an even more intriguing tournament.
The World Cup has always been a massive event that has the whole world watching. It’s definitely considered the biggest stage in world football. The event was first broadcasted in 1954. It was then held in Switzerland and has since become the most viewed sporting event in the world.
In whole, 17 countries have had the chance to host the World Cup so far, with Qatar set to become the newest addition to the list. The following tournament after Qatar is set to take place across 3 countries, which are Canada, Mexico and the United States of America.
How to Watch FIFA World Cup Mexico 2026?
Of course, that will be held in 2026 and with that Mexico is set to become the first country to have hosted or partially hosted 3 different FIFA World Cup’s.
Therefore there is plenty to look forward to for football fans with the new format expected to have an even bigger coverage of the tournament across the world.
Fifa World Cup New Zealand FAQ’s
1. When is the FIFA World Cup 2022 being held?
The 2022 fifa world cup is scheduled to start in late November. Usually it's held in the summer time during the club football summer break, however due to the tournament being held in Qatar where temperatures reach up to 45 degrees at this time, the event has been moved to the end of Autumn in the northern hemisphere. The first match between hosts Qatar and Ecuador kicks off on 20th November.
2. Did New Zealand qualify for the FIFA World Cup?
Unfortunately New Zealand missed out on a spot at the world cup during their final qualification game against Costa Rica. Had New Zealand qualified, they would have ended up in the pool of death against Spain, Germany and Japan. It would be unlikely NZ would qualify or win a game in the group stages however the cash payout for attending a world cup would have been incredible for kiwi football.
3. How to watch FIFA world cup for free in New Zealand?
Unlike other countries, the Government doesn't subsidise the cost of kiwis watching the worlds most watched sporting event. Sky have won the rights and require a premium subscription using their World Cup fan pass, Sky Sports Now, or a satellite sports connection. There is no free live stream for any group, knockout or final match that we know off. Using a VPN is the only way to watch overseas free streams.
4. Is there a free live stream of the FIFA world cup in NZ?
There is no official free live stream of the FIFA world cup in NZ. Many sites claiming to offer free streams are either fake or riddled with intrusive advertisements to support offshore, illegal streams. We do not recommend or condone such practices. Using a VPN is a legal alternative to changing your IP address and is the best option for watching free live streams of the FIFA world cup from the comfort of your own home.
5. Is it legal to use a VPN in New Zealand to watch the world cup?
There are no laws or legislation in NZ that prohibits the use of a VPN for work or pleasure. Further, countries that offer free live streams via their platforms such as the BBC iPlayer could easily easily block VPN IP ranges but choose not too, so they really aren't interested in blocking overseas users. There is no evidence anyone using a VPN to bypass a geo-restriction has got into trouble with law enforcement either, so we'd say using a VPN is a legal way of watching free TV.
6. How do I change my IP address to watch the world cup?
To change your IP address you'd need to either move to another country and connect to an internet connection there, or download and install VPN software which routes your internet connectivity via a 3rd party computer in that specific country, i.e. UK, tricking the website into thinking you're a local visitor, rather than an overseas visitor.
There are thousands of VPN companies out there, but the most reputable ones are discussed on our website, including PureVPN and ExpressVPN.
7. How much does a FIFA World Cup VPN cost?
Most VPN companies offer heavy discounts for buying one or two year packages such as $1.99 a month. The tournament lasts for 6 weeks, so buying two months would likely cost around $10 - $15 per month. Just remember to cancel your service once you're finished as most offer automatic billing. Don't forget, you can use your VPN to access geo-restricted content from around the world including Netflix and Hulu, among others.
Aelwyn is based in the UK and has a masters in security. He’s studied further in the United States while working for companies such as Google and Cisco. He loves rugby and has played professionally too.