The 2026 FIFA World Cup European Qualifiers are about to start, and football fans all over the world are scrambling to watch the UEFA World Qualifiers online. However, the infamous barrier, “Content not available in your region,” can be a major turn-off, making you unable to access UEFA World Cup Qualifiers online safely.
The European Qualifiers began in March 2025 and will conclude in November 2025. With 16 UEFA nations competing in matches leading to selections for the 48-team World Cup, every single match is important for one team or another.
But here’s the catch; streaming these matches isn’t always easy due to broadcasting restrictions and regional limitations. If you are facing this problem, don’t worry, a VPN is your secure gateway. With a VPN, you can unblock UEFA World Cup Qualifiers and watch them from anywhere.
In this guide, we’ll show you exactly how to watch UEFA World Cup Qualifiers online safely with a VPN. All fired up to watch the games without missing any crucial goal or even a moment? Let’s start.
Disclaimer: This article is only for informational purposes. So, before you start streaming like a boss, go check out the rules—read your streaming platform’s fine print and don’t forget about your country’s copyright laws. Also, while using VPN for streaming is legal, you may still want to check the VPN and streaming rules in your country, just to be on the safer side.
How to watch UEFA World Cup Qualifiers safely – Quick guide
This is easier than many think. Here are the quick steps you need to follow:
- Subscribe to a top-notch VPN service that can help you bypass geo-restriction and provide you ultra-fast streaming. Our number one choice is NordVPN as it has fast streaming servers and works on all major devices.
- Download and install the app on your device.
- Open the app and connect to a server in the country showing the match you want to see. (For example, connect to a UK server if you use the ITV1 or BBC iPlayer streaming service, which offer exclusive UEFA World Cup Qualifiers matches).
- Now you can sign in (or sign up for the streaming service if you haven’t already) you want and watch the match. It is that simple.
Best VPN to watch FIFA World Cup European qualifiers – Quick list
We have put dozens of VPNs to the test and came up with our top 3 picks for you:
- NordVPN: Our top-ranked service. Fast, has a large network of servers, and can consistently unblock all the major sports streams.
- Surfshark: An excellent low-cost service with unlimited simultaneous connections for sharing with family.
- ExpressVPN: A premium service that offers fast and reliable speed for all streaming option, and user-friendly applications for all devices.
Why use a VPN to stream UEFA Qualifiers online?
Imagine you want to watch your favorite team’s match, but you can’t watch it in your region due to geo-restrictions. Frustrating, right? Well, streaming platforms impose geo-restrictions to comply with streaming licensing agreements, to manage local subscription and pricing plans for each region, and to determine rights to show content to different services in different countries.
That all makes sense. Every single video stream online has millions of dollars of investment that makes it happen, streaming platforms must own the right to broadcast the content they want. Being businesses, streaming services than make content available to regions they’re licensed to broadcast to.
A match that is available to football fans for free in the UK might be locked behind a paywall for users in the US. Also, based on your location, you may find that platforms to watch UEFA EURO qualifiers vary greatly. Using a good VPN, you can get around these geo blocks.
But using a VPN is not just about bypassing restrictions; it’s about safety and quality of streaming as well. Let’s see the reasons why you need to use a VPN to stream UEFA Qualifiers:
Bypass geo-restrictions
We have discussed how streaming services impose geo-limitations due to licensing agreements above, and content varies from region to region. However, the question is how they know your location?
Streaming providers know what part of the world you are located in by looking at your IP address (your online identity). That means, if you want to watch free coverage of several qualifiers through BBC iPlayer but you’re not in the UK, you’re out of luck.
With a VPN, you can connect to servers in different countries to make it look like you’re accessing the content where it is available. To put it simply, a VPN changes your real location and gives you a different one virtually.
You can think of a VPN as a digital passport. It does not matter if you are using BBC iPlayer or any other broadcasting station; you just need to select a server located in the country you are targeting, and you can watch as if you are physically there.
For better security
While the internet has become a useful technology, it also imposes several security and privacy risks. Whatever you are doing online, protecting yourself online should be your top priority. A VPN is a stealth tool that can help you hide your IP address as well as your online traffic. Plus, it adds an extra layer of protection so nobody can see your online activities.
Prevent ISP throttling
Now, let’s be honest, internet providers love to be sneaky. In most cases, ISPs slow internet down the minute they see users doing heavy data-consumption tasks such as streaming or torrenting, especially during big moments (like, always in the middle of a nail-biting penalty shootout).
They call it ‘throttling’; we call it sabotage. Luckily, a VPN can cloak your streaming habits. The ISP can’t see what you are doing, so they can’t hit you with their buffering shenanigans.
Access better commentary options
Each region usually offers the same match in different languages and with different commentary. A VPN allows you to watch any match that you want while also accessing commentary from your preferred country or language.
You want to watch a match with English commentary, but only Spanish is available where you are? No worries; connect your VPN to one of the US servers and stream away.
Best VPNs to watch UEFA World Cup Qualifiers – Detailed list
1. NordVPN
An over-the-top VPN service with exceptional security and privacy features, super-fast speeds, and advanced technology to bypass geo-restrictions.
Over 8,000 secure-VPN servers present in 120+ countries
Boasts P2P optimized servers
Double encryption mode
Allows connections to 10 devices simultaneously
30 days of pay-back guarantee
Super-strong protection for web leaks
Has double VPN feature
Comes with customizable kill switch
SmartPlay feature
Has Tor compatibility
Pros
- Doesn’t compromise on speed
- Provides stable connection
- Double layer of encryption
Cons
- Limited DDoS protection
NordVPN continues to be the most dependable VPN for streaming live sports. It has an excellent balance of lightning-fast connection speeds, fantastic unblocking ability, and top-notch security.
NordVPN’s proprietary NordLynx (based on WireGuard) blows everything else out of the water when it comes to speed. The connection speed is incredible and is a must-have for streaming content in 4K, HD, or any app that requires high bandwidth during major fixtures when thousands of people are streaming.
No-logs policy; proven kill switch; strong encryption. What else? The threat protection is a nice bonus that stops annoying malicious ads and trackers on dodgy streaming sites as well. Massive, with over 8,000 servers in 120+ countries.
The servers that have “obfuscated” options are great for bypassing some of the toughest geo-blocks of networks such as BBC iPlayer. While testing, we checked NordVPN with several famous platforms, it unblocked almost all of them, including BBC iPlayer, ITVX, Fox Sports, Optus Sport, UEFA.tv, etc., without any issues.
With the given features, you must be thinking that NordVPN should be too expensive. Well, it isn’t. If you buy it long-term plan, it costs you $3.09 monthly for a 2-year plan.
2. Surfshark
A pocket-friendly service that offers premium VPN features, stable connection speeds, and safe access to multiple platforms.
More than 3,200 servers scattered in 100 countries
Robust AES 256-bit encryption
MultiHop mode
No limit for simultaneous connections
Refund your money within 30 days
Boasts CleanWeb feature
Has effective Camouflage mode
Pros
- Has an effective camouflage mode
- Unlimited data bandwidth
- Offers a 7-day free trial
Cons
- Some features are a bit complicated for beginners
No service can beat Surfshark when it comes to value. They are providing premium features at a great price, and their distinguishing feature is that you can use an unlimited number of devices, making it ideal for families or sports fans who want to watch multiple screens.
Speed is very impressive and is based on its own WireGuard implementation. They offer more than adequately fast speeds for HD streaming on multiple devices on the same account. It comes with every feature crucial to keep your activity secure and private: kill switch, CleanWeb (that blocks ads/tracking/malware), and a strict no-logs policy.
It has over 3,200 servers scattered across 100 countries. A solid, diverse, well-rated network that reliably accesses international libraries like Netflix. It worked with every major sports broadcaster with no problems.
Their Camouflage Mode hides your VPN traffic from your ISP. One of the most affordable premium VPNs you can find out there, particularly in their long-term plans (2 years), which start at $1.99/month.
3. ExpressVPN
Another famous name in the VPN market that is known for its blazing-fast speeds, top-notch privacy, and excellent streaming support.
More than 3,000 speedy-VPN servers in 100+ countries
Supports P2P connections
Has effective split tunneling
AES 256-bit solid encryption
Allows up to eight connections at once
TrustedServer technology
Stealth protection for IP and DNS leaks
30 days refund policy
Pros
- Leading speeds and minimal impact on performance and responsiveness
- 8 simultaneous connections
- Complete anti-DDoS protection
Cons
- Less features in a mobile app
ExpressVPN is the long-standing premium service that exhibits rock-solid reliability and simplicity. It is an effortless service that works perfectly right out of the box, making it perfect for VPN beginners.
The VPN provides consistently fast and reliable speeds because of its proprietary Lightway protocol. While it may sometimes lag slightly behind NordVPN in raw speed tests, the 90-minute stability of speed performance is undoubtedly better, which is what you want for a full 90-minute game.
TrustedServer technology (operates on RAM-only servers for added privacy), a proven no-logs policy, and full leak protection are some of its top-tier features. It offers over 3000 servers in 107 countries. A smaller, but high-quality network, fully optimized specifically for streaming.
It offers a built-in MediaStreamer DNS feature for devices that do not natively support VPN’s, like game consoles and smart TVs. The priciest selection from this list due to its premium status. 2-year plans starting at $3.49/month, plus 4 months extra for free.
Which countries are part of the 2026 World Cup European Qualifiers?
Europe’s 55 nations have been organized into 12 groups (A-L) to compete for places in the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The groups consist of exciting combinations of giants, dark horses, and regional derbies, which should lead to lots of excitement.
A total of 16 UEFA nations will take part in the 48-team FIFA World Cup finals that will be held in Canada, Mexico, and the US. Six groups of four and six groups, five teams will play home-and-away matches against all teams in the group. The group winners will then qualify for the World Cup.
Below is a table of the groups with the main teams and storylines to watch.
| Group | Teams | Key matchup |
|---|---|---|
| A | Germany, Slovakia, N. Ireland, Luxembourg, Belarus | Germany vs Slovakia |
| B | Switzerland, Sweden, Slovenia, Kosovo | Switzerland vs Sweden |
| C | Denmark, Greece, Scotland, Kazakhstan, San Marino | Scotland vs Denmark |
| D | France, Ukraine, Iceland, Azerbaijan, Malta | Ukraine vs Iceland |
| E | Spain, Turkey, Georgia, Bulgaria, and Andorra | Spain vs Turkey |
| F | Portugal, Hungary, Ireland, Armenia, Liechtenstein | Hungary vs Ireland |
| G | Netherlands, Poland, Finland, Lithuania, Gibraltar | Netherlands vs Poland |
| H | Austria, Romania, Bosnia & Herz., Cyprus, San Marino | Austria vs Romania |
| I | Italy, Norway, Israel, Estonia, Moldova | Italy vs Norway |
| J | Belgium, Wales, N. Macedonia, Kazakhstan, Liechtenstein | Belgium vs Wales |
| K | England, Albania, Serbia, Latvia, and Andorra | Serbia vs Albania |
| L | Montenegro, Croatia, the Czech Republic, the Faroe Islands, and Gibraltar | Croatia vs Czech Republic |
Note: Group A-F has 4 teams while Group G-L has 5. The groups were split so that each country had a fair number of games in the qualifying rounds.
Explaining the qualification format
The format of the tournament is simple but extremely competitive in nature. The group winners will get to the World Cup, and the 4 spots will be decided by play-offs from the 12 second-place finishers.
This means, if a team finishes second in a group and does not make it to the World Cup, it will then have to endure a nerve-wracking play-off system where one match could ruin its World Cup hopes.
Why stream these matches in the first place? Each match is important as they all carry weight. An unexpected result in a relatively straightforward qualifier can completely affect the landscape in the tournament. That’s the excitement, the beauty of the sport, right?
How to watch UEFA World Cup Qualifiers in different countries
Your physical location goes a long way to affect your choice of streaming. Here is a breakdown of how to access UEFA World Cup Qualifiers online in major jurisdictions:
1. United Kingdom
The United Kingdom has some of the best free options for streaming. You can watch the World Cup 2026 European Qualifiers matches live and for free on BBC iPlayer, which will have select matches with English commentary.
Free options
- BBC iPlayer (selected matches)
- ITV Hub (certain fixtures)
Paid options
- Sky Sports
- BT Sport
To access all these from outside the UK, you can connect your VPN to a UK server and create accounts on these platforms to watch your favourite content.
2. United States
American viewers will have fewer free options (no free streamers are mentioned), but you will have several paid options:
Paid options
- ESPN+
- Fox Sports
- Paramount+
- FuboTV
- Sling TV
- ViX
Many US streaming services are available with paid subscriptions, which might make getting a US VPN to connect internationally to free services more appealing to the budget-conscious fan.
3. Canada
Canadian services are similar to US platforms:
Paid services:
- TSN
- Sportsnet
- DAZN
Again, these are paid services, so getting a Canada VPN for free international streaming (especially from Europe) might be more economical.
4. Australia
In Australia, you have plenty of options. Some of them include:
- SBS (free for some selected matches)
- Optus Sport (paid)
- Stan Sport (paid)
SBS will regularly provide free coverage of the major international fixtures, so a great target for global viewers using a an Australia VPN to connect.
5. Europe
European countries usually have good public broadcasting coverage:
Services
- Germany: ARD, ZDF (free public broadcaster)
- Spain: TVE (public television)
- France: TF! France 2
- Italy: RAI
Public broadcasters often provide a free, high-quality coverage of local matches and usually great local commentary too.
2025/26 UEFA Champions League qualifying rounds
Before the European heavyweights are done, teams across Europe are vying for a place in the group stage of the Champions League after an intense qualification process in the summer. It is really not for the weak, and the stakes are high.
Alright, here’s the rundown for the qualifying chaos and play-offs for the 2025/26 season. We’ll keep it real quick, because nobody has time for all the boring brochures.
| Round | Leg 1 dates (2025) | Leg 2 dates (2025) | What’s at stake |
|---|---|---|---|
| First Qualifying Round | July 8 & 9 | July 15 & 16, | The very first stage of the journey normally features domestic champions from smaller leagues. |
| Second Qualifying Round | July 22 and 23 | July 29 and 30, 2025 | Things start to get hot. More teams are involved, and the winners are closer to their dream. |
| Third Qualifying Round | August 5/6, 2025 | August 12 | Last chance before the play-offs. Any team that loses here will have to go into the Europa League group stage instead of the Champions League. |
| Play-offs | August 19/20, 2025 | August 26 – 27 | The Finale Round. Winners of these two-legged ties will qualify for the Group Stage. |
UEFA Nations League 2025/26: League phase schedule
The UEFA Nations League isn’t just some random tournament—it actually decides how teams get to the World Cup.
Basically, the league stage figures out who climbs up, who drops down, and who’s even getting a shot at the next round—the knockout phase. It’s a drama on eight matchdays, all match fixtures happening in the chilly months. Here are notable dates:
| Matchday | Dates | What to watch |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sept 16–18, 2025 | The Campaign Begins |
| 2 | Sept 30 – Oct 1, 2025 | Building Momentum |
| 3 | Oct 21–22, 2025 | The Push for Glory |
| 4 | Nov 4–5, 2025 | Final Fall Showdowns |
| 5 | Nov 25–26, 2025 | The Home Stretch Begins |
| 6 | Dec 9–10, 2025 | Group Deciders |
| Knockout Round Play-Off Draw | Dec 2025 | Path to the Finals |
| 7 | Jan 20–21, 2026 | Knockout Semis |
| 8 | Jan 28, 2026 | Knockout Finals |
2025/26 UEFA Champions League knockout matches schedule
Once the group stage is over, the tournament goes into a high-stakes knockout where every game is do-or-die.
| Stage | First leg | Second leg |
|---|---|---|
| Knockout Play-offs | Feb 17-18, 2026 | Feb 24-25, 2026 |
| Round of 16 | Mar 10-11, 2026 | Mar 17-18, 2026 |
| Quarter-finals | Apr 7-8, 2026 | Apr 14-15, 2026 |
| Semi-finals | Apr 28-29, 2026 | May 5-6, 2026 |
| Final | May 30, 2026 | (Single match) |
When do World Cup Qualifiers for 2026 begin?
The European Qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA World Cup started in March 2025 and will wrap up in November 2025. That’s a solid stretch of soccer you can’t afford to miss. The play-offs? Their outcome will decide the final spots for the World Cup, which will kick off in March 2026.
Match timeline
- March 2025 – Start of qualifying campaign
- June 2025 – Second international window
- September 2025 – Third qualifying window
- October 2025 – Fourth qualifying window
- November 2025 – Last matchday of qualifying group stages
- March 2026 – Play-off matches for the last available spots in the World Cup
Given where we are in the calendar of World Cup qualifiers, you’ll note that we are already deep into the qualification process. Each match that is left carries with it gigantic implications for teams who are looking to secure spots in the upcoming World Cup tournaments.
Take a look at the full schedule below
Remember this is the main event – a ten-matchday marathon where every game counts. You don’t want to miss any:
| Matchday | Dates for groups G-L (5 teams) | Dates for groups A-F (4 teams) |
|---|---|---|
| Matchday 1 | March 21-11, 2025 | September 4 – 6, 2025 |
| Matchday 2 | March 24 – 25, 2025 | September 7 – 9, 2025 |
| Matchday 3 | June 6 – 7, 2025 | October 9 – 11, 2025 |
| Matchday 4 | June 9 to 10, 2025 | October 12 – 14, 2025 |
| Matchday 5 | September 4 – 6, 2025 | November 13 – 15, 2025 |
| Matchday 6 | September 7 – 9, 2025 | November 16 – 18, 2025 |
| Matchday 7 | October 9 – 11, 2025 | — |
| Matchday 8 | October 12–14, 2025 | — |
| Matchday 9 | November 13 – 15, 2025 | — |
| Matchday 10 | November 16 – 18, 2025 | — |
The play-off round: The last chance
If the team didn’t qualify in the group stage, the play-off matches will give the teams their final chance to qualify for the World Cup. These matches will be a single-elimination match; it will be Win or you’re booking an early vacation, basically.
Important dates (try setting a reminder on your phone so you don’t forget):
- The play-off semi-final will be held on March 26, 2026.
- The play-off final will be on March 31, 2026.
Pro tip: Try not to panic when you can’t find match times or exact teams yet. UEFA often likes to keep everyone in suspense; they’ll drop the juicy details closer to the day. But with these sneak peeks, you can at least start planning your viewing party snacks in advance.
Where will the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers be held?
An excellent trait of World Cup qualification is that matches are played across the entire UEFA space. Each venue has its unique atmosphere, from the frostbitten frozen fields of Iceland to the sun-kissed beach of Cyprus.
Iconic sport venues
Some stadiums become cauldrons during World Cup qualifiers:
- Wembley Stadium (England): 90,000 capacity makes for a menacing venue where teams would claustrophobically fight for each square inch.
- Allianz Arena (Germany): Munich’s crown jewel hosting must-win matches.
- San Siro (Italy): Milan’s historic stadium will witness the potential heartbreak and celebration.
- Stade de France (France): Paris offers a beautiful backdrop for the French qualifiers.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup is unprecedented as three nations: the United States, Canada, and Mexico will be hosting it.
What to know about the UEFA European Championship Qualifiers
The UEFA European Championship, commonly known as “the Euros,” is the pinnacle of European international football, where the best national team in Europe plays for the trophy and for bragging rights.
Before the tournament even begins, there is a lengthy qualifying period that occurs over a multi-year span just to qualify to be invited to the tournament.
How the championship works
The tournament utilizes a familiar structure that creates drama and excitement. This is how the tournament takes place.
In each tournament, all 55 nations in UEFA are drawn into groups and play home-and-away matches amongst themselves. Points are awarded for a win or a draw. The top teams in each group earn a qualifying ticket to the finals.
After qualifying, teams are drawn into groups and play against each other in a round-robin setup. And the group stage creates separation of the wheat from the chaff.
The path to UEFA EURO 2028
The next men’s European Championship will kick off in 2028. It is set to break records—for the first time in history, England, the Republic of Ireland, Scotland, and Wales (four nations) will be co-hosting the tournament.
What is different about this tournament? All four host nations will need to qualify, although UEFA has reserved two automatic places for surety. Even the host nations could find themselves excluded from their own party should they not qualify.
Qualification format
The qualification system will mimic the same structure as the current World Cup qualification, with 12 groups of four or five teams. This means that every match will matter as a team to achieve precious automatic qualifications.
- 12 group winners: Automatic qualification for EURO 2028.
- 8 best second-place teams: Also, automatic qualification.
- Remaining spots: Play-offs based on the Nations League.
This system rewards focus and consistency while encouraging teams that may struggle through the qualifying period. Nobody’s dreams of participation die until the very last match.
Where to watch UEFA EURO Qualifiers – Detailed list
Choosing how to watch the UEFA World Cup Qualifiers does not have to be a bigger contest than the actual matches themselves. Trying to choose among all the options available can sometimes feel like an uphill task. But not to worry; we have broken down the best options for you without all of the confusing jargon.
1. Fox Sports
A go-to source for the hardcore fan who is enamored with in-depth stats and pre-game analysis. The platform is a bit different. You will need to download the free Fox Sports app; however, to actually watch, you need to log in with a paid TV subscription from a service like YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, or DirecTV.
Fox Sports is ideal for the fan who already has a live TV subscription and wants top-notch analysis. It is best for fans who are already paying for one of the options. If you have cut the cord and don’t have a live TV login, the door is shut.
However, some users reported issues with local content blackouts, making it difficult to stream certain games.
2. Fubo TV
The all-you-can-eat sports buffet. Whether it is a ball, a puck, or a player, FuboTV probably has it all. This is a stand-alone streaming service that leans heavily on live sports. It features customizable plans that bundle channels like Fox, ABC, CBS, and beIN Sports.
It is good for households that live and breathe sports. If you are someone who often switches between football, basketball, and leagues from around the world, weekend after weekend, this platform is for you. The cloud DVR is a great way to record games you can’t watch live.
It’s a premium service with a premium price. You’re paying for the extensive library of sports, so if you’re just interested in football, it might be more than you need. However, with the given price, you can have another top option, as Fubo TV lacks several popular channels, and has most content in low quality.
3. ViX
Passionate, Spanish-language coverage that packs a different punch in the beautiful game. ViX comes in both a free ad-supported tier and a very cheap premium tier. The paid tier removes the ads and provides better content and even access to gold rights events like the Copa America.
Ideal for Spanish speakers and fans who enjoy passionate and energetic commentary. For anyone who cares less about the language, it’s still a great low-cost option. The entire interface and all commentary will be in Spanish; if that’s not your preference, you need to find another option for watching your football.
While the platform is in the Spanish language, it also offers English subtitles.
4. DirecTV
Closest thing to traditional cable, only you don’t need the satellite dish to watch it. Simple and packed with many channels. Tiered packages get you a bundle of channels, including your local Fox station, to catch your favorite games.
It’s ideal for families or viewers who prefer to have a one-stop solution for news, entertainment, and sports. The platform has premium add-ons, like HBO Max, which is a big benefit.
However, it is the most expensive option. You will get a bumper crop of full channels, so if you only want sports, you will be paying for a lot of content you won’t even watch.
5. Sling TV
A little complicated, but potentially the cheapest option to get the “right” channels. Sling has two core plans (Blue and Orange), and to get the sports channels, one usually needs to add the “Sports Extra” package. It’s more like a mini-channel puzzle box.
It’s perfect for someone who is on a tight budget and is willing to invest some time digging through the menu to save some money.
Unfortunately, trying to figure out which combination of plan and add-on you need is like solving a Rubik’s Cube. Look at their schedule guide closely to ensure you do not purchase the wrong product.
6. ESPN+
$11.99 monthly
Extensive live sports coverage
Pay-per-view events cost extra
One of the best sports streaming sites, ESPN+, is great for other leagues and sports, but it usually does not have the rights to the primary USA broadcasts of the UEFA World Cup Qualifier. You likely will get highlights or pre-game shows, but it doesn’t have the live game for you want to watch.
7. BBC iPlayer
BBC iPlayer is by far the best free option to stream UEFA World Cup Qualifiers. It gets the rights to loads of major England matches and some of the other matches. The commentary is always top-notch, and the streaming quality is as good as paid services.
However, due to geographical restrictions, the platform is only available in the UK. Hence, a top-notch VPN like NordVPN is recommended to stream it from anywhere.
How to fix common streaming issues
While you typically won’t run into many issues using a top-tier VPN, you might run into something from time to time. Here are the most common issues and how to troubleshoot them:
Content not available in your region
This usually means the platform detected your VPN. Here are a few options to try:
- Switch to another server in the same country.
- Clear up caches and cookies in your browser.
- Try private/incognito mode.
- Disable browser location/GPS services.
Slow loading/buffering
Nothing ruins your football-watching experience more than poor streaming quality. Experiencing buffering? Are streams taking forever to load? Try this:
- Change to a server that may be closer to your location, whilst still in the target country.
- Temporarily lower video quality.
- Close other bandwidth-heavy applications.
- Try to connect via Ethernet when possible instead of Wi-Fi.
VPN connection keeps disconnecting
Unstable connections can be annoying during vital moments of the match:
- Update your VPN app if you haven’t done so already. Sometimes, outdated versions of apps tend to be glitchy.
- Try a different VPN protocol (OpenVPN or WireGuard).
- Restarting your router helps to initiate a fresh internet connection.
- If you are having trouble signing into the server, please contact support.
Account creation issues
Some platforms do not make it easy for users outside the country to create an account:
- Use a realistic local address within the country of your target site.
- Choose a postal code that is common for your specified area.
- Do not use a number that is clearly from another area.
- Clear your cookies between signup attempts.
FAQs
In most regions, using a VPN is not against the law. People use them to work and to protect their privacy every day. You will probably never have legal issues for merely using a VPN to watch geo-blocked content, but you may breach streaming service’s terms and conditions (like BBC iPlayer, for example). Doing a little bit of due diligence on your local laws is always good practice.
Yes, but we don’t recommend it. Free VPNs are usually extremely slow, often have data caps, and therefore make it very difficult to stream, and usually will not unblock major streaming services. Even worse, they could log your data or display ads to you while you are trying to watch. It is worth the cost for a subscription to a reputable VPN service such as NordVPN.
This generally depends on the VPN used and may mean the server was overloaded. Verify your regular internet speed without a VPN on. If your internet is operating normally, try connecting to a different server in the same country. Paid services such as NordVPN often have dedicated “streaming optimized” services for this purpose.
It’s subjective. BBC and ITV from the UK tend to have excellent commentary and are free to air (you will still need to pay the UK TV license). US broadcasts on Fox might feature more analysis during pre-game and post-game coverage. This is probably the best time to try commentary from different countries.
If your VPN connection suddenly drops while watching a game, it may cause the stream to stop playing, or you could see error messages saying that you are in a different location. Use a VPN that has a kill switch (all our recommendations have this feature) and always ensure it is ON, so in case your VPN fumbles. The Kill switch will cut off your internet connection automatically, preventing accidental exposure of your real location.
If you want to have a good experience streaming HD content, you should at least have 5 Mbps download speed. Most 4K streaming would recommend a connection speed of at least 25 Mbps. Most paid VPNs (including NordVPN) won’t have a significant effect on your speed.
