- ExpressVPN is now the exclusive VPN provider for the 2026 FIFA World Cup
- It offers 50 premium tickets for the quarterfinals, semifinals and final.
- Partnership aims to keep traveling fans digitally safe
In an important step to bring digital security to the global stage, ExpressVPN has announced that it is an official sponsor of the 2026 FIFA World Cup tournament in the US, Canada and Europe.
Currently among our top VPN recommendations, ExpressVPN is the exclusive VPN sponsor for the event, a milestone the company confirmed is the largest sports deal it has ever signed.
To celebrate the historic announcement, ExpressVPN is running a raffle tickets for people who sign up for their services, giving lucky fans the chance to win 50 premium tickets spanning the quarter-finals, semi-finals and the long-awaited final.
With the tournament expected to attract a staggering global audience of around six billion viewers, the stakes for digital privacy have never been higher. The magnitude of the event makes it the perfect place to remind fans that online safety is important wherever they go.
Charles Butler, CEO of ExpressVPN, says: “The 2026 FIFA World Cup is the biggest show on earth and our goal is for fans to experience every moment safely, without their data being stolen in the process.”
The company is also planning a major digital takeover of Times Square in partnership with Clear Channel Outdoor in the week leading up to the finals, featuring AI-powered ads on iconic New York screens.
Why the World Cup is a critical point in terms of cybersecurity
While the excitement of the tournament is undeniable, major international sporting events are consistently some of the highlights of the cybersecurity calendar. The 2026 FIFA World Cup will see millions of fans flock to stadiums in the US, Canada and Mexico. Many of these attendees will travel internationally, relying on foreign SIM cards and hotel networks they have never used before.
This massive influx of travelers means a great dependence on Unsecured public Wi-Fi networks at airports, restaurants, and local venues. Fans who jump between a dozen or more of these networks on any given day run a significant risk of surveillance and data theft. Cybercriminals regularly exploit these high-traffic events and launch phishing campaigns directly related to the sale of tickets, travel itineraries, and team merchandise.
The good news: a few simple habits go a long way. Check the official Wi-Fi name before connecting, keep banking and work logins on mobile data, and use a VPN. pic.twitter.com/z6X0BpLP9XJune 9, 2026
Even seemingly legitimate Wi-Fi networks can be incredibly dangerous. Hackers often use available tools to spoof real networks, a tactic known in the industry as an “evil twin” attack.
Recent research from ExpressVPN highlighted that 7 in 10 World Cup soccer fans are willing to put their digital privacy at risk, often blindly trusting a public network simply because it is named after a familiar place. Unfortunately, that familiar name isn’t always proof that a connection is secure.
This isn’t ExpressVPN’s first foray into the world of sports; The provider recently partnered with Tottenham Hotspur to strengthen digital advocacy for fans. However, the World Cup operates on a completely different scale, making on-field cybersecurity reminders a vital addition.
For those watching safely at home, the security risks may be lower, but a VPN still offers huge benefits. If you’re wondering whether you should use a VPN to watch the World Cup, the answer is still a resounding yes, whether to bypass ISP throttling or simply to protect your connection while streaming the beautiful game.
