All eyes are on Lionel Messi, Mohamed Salah, and James Rodriguez today as the World Cup 2026 Round of 32 reaches its conclusion. It’s only fitting that the tournament’s biggest star takes centre stage. Goalkeeper Vozinha has been the standout performer for debutants Cape Verde, guiding them through the group stage unbeaten with two clean sheets. Their next challenge couldn’t be tougher — facing reigning champions Argentina led by none other than Lionel Messi.
Here’s how you can watch the World Cup 2026 Round of 32 for free from anywhere in the world.
Today's Fixtures (3rd July):
– Australia vs Egypt: 7:00pm BST / 2:00pm ET / 4:00am AEST (Sat)
– Argentina vs Cape Verde: 11:00pm BST / 6:00pm ET / 8:00am AEST (Sat)
– Colombia vs Ghana: 2:30am BST (Sat) / 9:30pm ET / 11:30am AEST (Sat)
Free to Watch: BBC / ITV (UK) / SBS (Australia)
Watch from Anywhere: Use Norton VPN (includes a 60-day money-back guarantee)
The day kicks off with Australia facing Egypt at AT&T Stadium. The Socceroos have already exceeded expectations by advancing from their group, though their momentum from the 2-0 win over Turkey has since faded following two goalless outings. Egypt, however, are dealing with a significant injury crisis, the most notable being Mohamed Salah’s hamstring problem, which leaves coach Rui Vitoria with a major selection headache.
Next comes the classic David vs Goliath encounter between Argentina and Cape Verde. La Albiceleste cruised into the knockouts with three straightforward wins, but even Messi himself may be surprised by his six goals so far, including his first-ever World Cup hat-trick. Cape Verde’s manager Bubista deserves immense credit for leading his side this far, and their 2-2 draw with Uruguay demonstrated both bite and discipline. The only downside for the underdogs will be a Hard Rock Stadium crowd heavily tilted in favour of Messi and Argentina.
The final Round of 32 match sees Colombia take on Ghana at Arrowhead Stadium. Expect fireworks from two of football’s most thrilling wingers — Luis Diaz and Antoine Semenyo. Manchester City’s Semenyo has been forced to restrain his attacking instincts under Carlos Queiroz, whose defensive approach has propelled the Black Stars into the knockouts. Colombia, meanwhile, topped Group K ahead of Portugal and have conceded just once in the tournament so far.
Read on as FourFourTwo provides all the details you need to watch the World Cup 2026 Round of 32 for free from anywhere in the world.
Friday, July 3
Australia vs Egypt, 7:00pm | BBC (UK) / SBS (AUS)
Argentina vs Cape Verde, 11:00pm | ITVX (UK) / SBS (AUS)
Saturday, July 4
Colombia vs Ghana, 2:30am | ITVX (UK) / SBS (AUS)
*All times are in BST
The World Cup 2026 Round of 32 is available to stream for free in several regions worldwide. English-language coverage is provided by the BBC and ITV in the UK, RTÉ Player in Ireland, and SBS On Demand in Australia.
Free streaming options around the world include:
Australia: SBS
Belgium: VRT / RTBF Auvio
Brazil: CazeTV (via YouTube)
France: M6 (selected matches)
Germany: ARD / ZDF (selected matches)
Ireland: RTÉ Player
Netherlands: NOS
New Zealand: TVNZ (selected matches)
Turkey: TRT1 via Tabii
Outside these countries? You can use Norton VPN to securely unlock streams from anywhere in the world.
Travelling abroad this summer but still want to catch the 2026 World Cup Round of 32? A VPN can make your device appear as if it’s in your home country, allowing you to access local streams easily.
For this World Cup, the experts at TechRadar recommend Norton VPN for its secure and fast global connections, complete with a 60-day money-back guarantee and the ability to stream BBC iPlayer wherever you are.
In the UK, every World Cup 2026 Round of 32 match can be streamed live for free on BBC or ITV.
Watch World Cup 2026 Round of 32 for free on ITVX
ITV will show 51 World Cup matches live in the UK. To watch, viewers need an account and a valid TV licence. Full match replays, including extra time and penalties, will also be available on demand after full time.
Watch World Cup 2026 Round of 32 for free on BBC iPlayer
The BBC will stream 54 matches live at no cost. A BBC account is required, along with a UK postcode (for example, SE1 7PB) and a TV licence. Travelling abroad? You can still watch using a reliable VPN.
In the United States, all World Cup 2026 Round of 32 matches are available on FOX and FS1. These can be accessed through Fox’s own platform Fox One or via streaming services such as YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, Sling, Fubo, or DirecTV.
Stream the World Cup 2026 Round of 32 on Fox One
Fox One offers both FOX and FS1 and currently provides a three-day free trial. After that, subscriptions start at $19.99 per month.
In Australia, all Round of 32 matches are available live and free on SBS On Demand — fans just need to create an account and use a valid Australian postcode (e.g., 2026).
Watch World Cup 2026 Round of 32 live and free on SBS
Australian fans can enjoy every World Cup game for free on SBS On Demand, which provides full coverage of the tournament.
For a complete list of broadcasters by country, global viewers can check local listings, as coverage is available through national networks such as BBC, ITV, Fox Sports, TelevisaUnivision, beIN Sports, and New World TV, among many others.
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