The 2026 FIFA World Cup is still underway until 19 July in the USA, Canada and Mexico. Anyone travelling abroad during the tournament will often encounter geoblocking on German broadcasters’ websites. With a VPN, you can access ARD, ZDF and other media libraries even whilst abroad.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup will run for over a month and keep fans around the world entertained. A total of 104 matches will be played. In Germany, the broadcasters ARD and ZDF will take turns showing the matches on free-to-air television. All of the German national team’s matches will be included. MagentaTV will show the entire tournament, featuring all 104 matches. Anyone travelling during the World Cup will quickly realise that not every stream can be accessed as usual. Instead of the match, a message often appears stating that the service is not available in the country they are currently in.
Geoblocking blocks access from abroad
The reason lies in the broadcasting rights. Television broadcasters and streaming platforms usually acquire these rights only for specific countries or regions. To ensure compliance with these requirements, the origin of an internet connection is checked. This is based on the user’s IP address. Using this information, platforms can identify the country from which access is being made. If the location is outside the designated broadcast area, the stream is often blocked. The same live stream works in Germany, whilst it remains blocked in Spain, Italy or Thailand. It is not only German broadcasters who use this technology. Austrian and Swiss providers also restrict their content regionally. In Austria, ORF and ServusTV share the broadcast rights. Both channels will show 52 matches each. The Swiss broadcaster SRF will broadcast all 104 World Cup matches via the SRF Sport app and Play SRF.
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A VPN routes the connection via a server in the user’s home country
A VPN does not alter the stream itself, but rather the route it takes. The internet connection is first routed via an additional server. If a user selects a location in Germany, the connection appears to the streaming provider as if it were coming from there. This allows geographical restrictions to be bypassed. The whole process usually takes just a few minutes and does not require any complicated technical setup. It is installed via an app on the relevant device. Once the desired server location has been selected, the VPN establishes the connection. The stream then opens as usual. The technology works on smartphones, tablets, laptops and many other devices.
2026 World Cup: These VPN services are ideal for live streams
NordVPN has been one of the best-known providers in its category for years. The provider has 129 VPN locations worldwide. It is regarded as particularly reliable when it comes to bypassing blocks on streaming platforms. Proton VPN also operates servers in 129 countries. This allows users to access a wide range of international TV services, including German channels as well as those from Austria and Switzerland. Surfshark is aimed at users who wish to use multiple devices simultaneously. The service has no device limit; smartphones, tablets and computers can all be connected at the same time. The network comprises locations in 100 countries.
Installation on various devices
The setup process varies depending on the device. All the VPN services mentioned offer apps for popular smart TV operating systems. If you use an Android TV or Fire TV, you can download the app directly from the app store. The device will then connect to a German, Austrian or Swiss server. The desired media library will then open as usual. If your TV does not support a VPN app, you can set up the VPN directly on your Wi-Fi router. This ensures that all devices on the network are automatically protected, including your smart TV. Another option is to stream via Chromecast or an HDMI cable. Your laptop or smartphone connects to the VPN and streams the content to the TV. You can try this out tomorrow evening when Germany play the Ivory Coast at 10 pm (CET).
Legal classification of VPNs and streaming
The use of a VPN is generally permitted in the member states of the European Union and in many other countries. However, there is debate as to how the circumvention of geographical restrictions should be classified in legal terms. As broadcasters often licence their content only for specific markets, its use in this context falls into a legal grey area. There is, however, no risk of criminal prosecution. It is, however, conceivable that individual providers may set out specific terms of use. For ARD, ZDF, ORF, ServusTV and SRF, there is no evidence to suggest that the use of VPN or proxy services is expressly prohibited.
However, caution is advised when it comes to dubious free streams. Not every free streaming service on the internet is provided by an official provider. Many websites entice users with free access to sporting events. Such offers are often found on illegal platforms.
Leonie Meyer
Editor News & Panorama
