As an event in which millions of fans around the world use their phones for the first time, one could even say that the World Cup will be more mobile than Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.
Joking aside, the wide variety of start times due to games taking place in different time zones and the possibility of last-minute schedule changes caused by extreme weather means there’s no guarantee you’ll be able to watch every game that’s important to you from your favorite spot on the couch.
Whether on the bus, in bed or at your desk, be discreet, we don’t want you to get in trouble, this is a World Cup you are attending. have to watch on your phone whether you like it or not.
Read on as we break down some tips that will ease the situation.
The best 2026 FIFA World Cup apps
Here are the best apps to watch the 2026 World Cup on your phone:
Abroad? The best VPN app for the 2026 World Cup
If you’re traveling, you may find that your usual World Cup coverage is suddenly unavailable due to geographic restrictions.
Don’t worry, that’s exactly where a VPN app can help you. A virtual private network allows you to connect to servers around the world so you can securely access your regular World Cup coverage as if you were at home.
We recommend Norton VPN. Here’s why:
Watch the 2026 World Cup on your phone – FAQ
How much phone data do I need to watch the 2026 World Cup?
A 90-minute football match will consume approximately 700 MB in SD streaming quality, 1.5 GB to 3 GB in HD, and 3 GB to 5 GB in Full HD.
These are estimates, meaning real-world figures could be higher, especially when taking into account stoppages in play, VAR reviews and time-wasting provisions, let alone extra time and penalties.
Unless you have an unlimited data plan, we recommend saving the vast majority of your World Cup streaming for when you’re connected to a Wi-Fi network.
This can’t be avoided when you’re on the move, in which case it’s worth sacrificing image quality. Simply dive into your settings to make any adjustments.
You can also set warnings and data limits that make it easy to track how much you’re getting.
If you’re abroad and don’t have roaming built into your plan, you may want to consider an eSIM. More details in the next section.
How do I avoid expensive roaming charges?
If you are planning a vacation or work trip this summer, especially if it is to a country where roaming it’s not Covered by your mobile operator, an eSIM is essential whether you plan to stream World Cup matches or not.
eSIMs are essentially short-term international mobile data contracts.
They’re highly customizable, and even the most expensive unlimited and all-inclusive plans cost much less than you’d pay for a few minutes of basic web browsing and messaging.
Above all, eSIMs give you peace of mind. The fact that you can buy one online and avoid the confusion of searching for a local SIM also makes them really convenient.
Right now, we rate Ubigi, Saily, and Airalo as the best eSIMs for international travel.
How do I extend my phone’s battery life?
The last thing you want when there’s a crucial game on the line is for your phone’s battery to die.
Only you know if your phone is ready to stream a World Cup match in its entirety, but in case you fall short, you can turn off notifications, prevent other apps from running in the background, turn off visual effects and, when things get desperate, reduce the screen brightness.
However, the most effective step you can take is to invest in a good portable charger. They are inexpensive and should serve you for years.
Can I watch the 2026 World Cup live on the FIFA app?
The FIFA app will not provide live coverage of World Cup matches, but will include results, matches, news, analysis, polls and quizzes.
Meanwhile, FIFA+ has now joined DAZN. The channel will allow you to watch archive footage from past World Cups.
We test and review VPN services in the context of legal recreational uses. For example: 1. Access a service from another country (subject to the terms and conditions of that service). 2. Protect your online security and strengthen your online privacy when you are abroad. We do not support or tolerate illegal or malicious use of VPN services. Future Publishing does not endorse or approve the consumption of paid pirated content.
