The greatest sporting event in the world is finally back in 2022. We’re watching the likes of Kylian Mbappe taking on Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo in one of the most exciting FIFA World Cup lineups that we’ve had in years. The amount of talent on the field in 2022 will be unprecedented, and the world is waiting anxiously for the first match to kick off in November!
Traditionally, we would always gather around the TV to watch the best of the best battle it out for the greatest prize in sports, but that’s not so common anymore. Streaming platforms have taken the world by storm and we’re all excited to log into our favorite streaming device whether that’s a laptop, smartphone, or tablet. The beauty of this is that you can catch up on a World Cup match from absolutely anywhere in the world.
But, there’s one element that’s holding us all back from being able to watch the FIFA World Cup online this year — geo-blocking. It’s become more and more popular over the years, and it’s left millions of internet users frustrated as they try to live stream sporting events, watch YouTube videos, or stream movies on Netflix.
But, there’s a way to overcome geo-blocking by using a handy cybersecurity tool. Keep reading to see how you can watch the FIFA World Cup from anywhere in the world this year!
What is Geo-blocking?
The main obstacle that you’ll face when trying to find the best FIFA World Cup streams this year is geographical blocking restrictions. Also known as geo-blocking, these digital fences have left internet users all around the world frustrated as they are unable to tune into the latest live sports. If you try to access a live stream from the incorrect region, you’ll simply be met with an error message stating: “this content is not available in your region”.
But why is that? Media companies need to pay millions of dollars to secure broadcasting rights for any given event. For example, a company like Sky Sports in the UK would pay millions of dollars just to sign a contract that allows them to broadcast every FIFA World Cup match live.
However, this contract comes with a strict set of rules that media companies need to follow. One of the main rules that they need to abide by is that they can only broadcast the events in their respective regions or countries — any devices that try to access the streams from outside the approved region will be blocked from doing so.
Websites will use your IP address to determine your physical location, An IP address is a unique string of numbers that is used to identify your device on the internet — with one of its main roles being to pinpoint your location and pass that information on to websites. This allows websites to send you targeted adverts and marketing based on your location — ever seen ads from your local grocery store on your browser? That’s right, they use your IP address to determine where you live and which grocery store is closest to you.
The Best Way to Bypass Geo-blocking
So, how do we change our IP address and trick websites into thinking that we’re accessing them from somewhere else? It might sound complicated, but in reality, it’s not difficult at all. All you need is a handy cybersecurity tool that will do all the hard work for you!
The tool in question is a virtual private network but you might know it better as a VPN. VPNs are primarily used for security and privacy on devices because they are used to encrypt your internet connection. An encrypted internet connection will prevent anyone else from seeing what you are doing on your device. This feature is ideal for those who are frequent flyers and often need to use unsecured networks such as those found at public WiFi hotspots — conveniently placed at airports, hotels, and restaurants.
But, the feature that we’re all here for is the ability to change your device’s virtual location. It might sound like magic, but it’s much more explainable! VPNs allow you to connect to secure global servers in other countries and cities around the world. Once you’re connected, your real IP address will be masked, and your device will adopt the IP address of the server that you have connected to. This will trick websites into thinking that you are accessing them from the country that the server originates from.
While you’re connected to the VPN server, you can browse the web as if you were physically located in that country. Thus, you will be able to unlock live streams for FIFA World Cup matches from anywhere in the world, and you might even be able to find some free live streams that are only available in specific countries or regions.
How to Find the Perfect VPN
While it might sound simple enough to install a VPN on your device, there’s a lot more to it that you need to understand. The most important rule that you always need to follow is that you should avoid free VPNs. It might be tempting to use a free VPN for this year’s World Cup, but unfortunately, they are subpar compared to premium VPNs.
When using a free VPN you can expect slower connection speeds, more ads, less security and privacy, fewer global servers to choose from, and even daily data limits. These are all factors that will impact your streaming experience, and ultimately it’s not worth using a free VPN — especially when it comes to streaming.
It’s also crucial to read several different reviews to make sure that the VPN of your choice is suitable for streaming. Ideally, you want to ensure that your VPN has excellent connection speeds and stability to prevent lag, buffering, and a drop in image quality while you’re streaming these exciting matches. You also want to make sure that your VPN has a multitude of global servers on offer as this will allow you to find the best World Cup stream in the world.
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