We may earn affiliate commissions for the recommended products. Learn more.

How to watch Belgium vs Senegal: live stream the World Cup 2026 Round of 32 on July 1st from anywhere


Belgium faces Senegal in a win-or-go-home Round of 32 clash at Lumen Field in Seattle, Washington, on Wednesday, July 1st, 2026. Belgium topped Group G with a decisive 5-1 victory over New Zealand in their final group match, while Senegal advanced as one of the eight best third-place teams after a crucial 5-0 win over Iraq in Group I. The two sides have never met in a competitive fixture, making this their first encounter in a major tournament. Belgium enters unbeaten in their last 13 matches across all competitions, while Senegal showed resilience after early setbacks to keep their World Cup dream alive.

All 104 FIFA World Cup 2026 matches are free with a VPN

Every match streams live and free in English on BBC iPlayer and ITVX in the UK and on SBS On Demand in Australia. These broadcasters geo-block streams outside their home country, so you need a VPN to watch from abroad. We recommend NordVPN for reliable unblocking, fast HD streaming, and broad device support across all three broadcasters.

The knockout match kicks off at Lumen Field, Seattle on Wednesday, July 1st at 1:00 PM PDT / 4:00 PM ET / 9:00 PM BST / 10:00 PM CEST. The match streams live and free on ITVX in the UK and SBS On Demand in Australia, with both platforms requiring a VPN to access from outside their home countries.

Where to watch Belgium vs Senegal

Below is a complete overview of where to watch Belgium vs Senegal and when the match starts in your time zone.

CountryStreaming ServicePriceLocal kickoff timeNotes
United StatesFox SportsPaid (cable or from $45.99/month via Sling)4:00 PM ET / 1:00 PM PTAll 104 matches on Fox/FS1
United StatesTelemundoFree (OTA with antenna)4:00 PM ET / 1:00 PM PTSpanish commentary; 92 of 104 matches free OTA
BelgiumRTBF / VRTFree10:00 PM CESTAll 104 matches free; RTBF (French) / VRT (Dutch)
SenegalSuperSportPaid (varies by package)9:00 PM WATAll 104 matches across sub-Saharan Africa
United KingdomITVXFree9:00 PM BSTFree with ITVX account
AustraliaSBS On DemandFree6:00 AM AEST, July 2ndAll 104 matches live and free
CanadaCTV / TSNCTV free / TSN from CA$24.99/month4:00 PM ET / 1:00 PM PTCTV carries ~half the matches free; TSN has all 104

How to use a VPN to watch the World Cup 2026 for free

Supporting image FIFA World Cup 2026
  1. Choose a VPN. I recommend NordVPN for streaming. It operates servers in the UK and Australia, uses the fast NordLynx protocol for smooth HD streaming, and supports Smart DNS for compatible smart TVs.
  2. Install the VPN app. Download and install the VPN on your device (Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, or a supported smart TV).
  3. Connect to a UK server for ITVX or an Australian server for SBS On Demand. Open the app and select the country to get a local IP address.
  4. Go to ITVX or SBS On Demand. Create a free account if required. During registration, use any valid UK postcode (e.g., a London postcode like SW1A 1AA) for ITVX or an Australian postcode for SBS.
  5. Find the Belgium vs Senegal match and start streaming. Navigate to the World Cup section and select the live stream. Watch the full match live in HD with a VPN enabled.
Cybernews pro tip

BBC iPlayer asks for a UK postcode during account signup. Any valid UK postcode works — try SW1A 1AA (the postal code for Buckingham Palace) or EC1A 1BB (the City of London). The broadcaster does not verify the address beyond checking the format.

world cup apolosign deal

Why you need a VPN to watch Belgium vs Senegal

FIFA licenses World Cup 2026 rights country by country, so free broadcasters like ITVX and SBS On Demand geo-block their streams from outside the UK and Australia. If you try to access these platforms from another country, you'll see an error message blocking you from the live stream.

ITVX outside UK error message
ITVX outside UK error message

A VPN for streaming changes your virtual location, making the broadcaster recognize you as within their region and unlocking the free stream. This also helps travelers and expats keep access to their paid home broadcaster while abroad.

watching world cup on itvx
World Cup 2026 streaming hub on ITVX unlocked with NordVPN

How to watch Belgium vs Senegal free with a VPN: detailed guide

Step 1. Choose a VPN with servers in the UK or Australia

We recommend NordVPN for streaming Belgium vs Senegal. Starting from $3.49/month on the 2-year plan, NordVPN operates thousands of servers across 224 locations with strong UK and Australian coverage. It uses the fast NordLynx protocol with 84% speed retention, ensuring smooth HD streaming without buffering. NordVPN reliably unblocks BBC iPlayer, ITVX, and SBS On Demand, and includes Smart DNS for smart TVs without native VPN apps. All plans come with a 30-day money-back guarantee. For more details, read our NordVPN review.

Step 2. Install the VPN app on your device

Download and install the NordVPN app on your device. NordVPN supports Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, smart TVs, Fire TV, and Apple TV. For this match, we recommend watching on a laptop, mobile device, or Fire TV for the smoothest setup, as both ITVX and SBS On Demand have native apps on these platforms.

nordvpn download webpage

Step 3. Connect to a server in the UK or Australia

Open the NordVPN app and connect to a UK server to access ITVX, or an Australian server for SBS On Demand. This changes your IP address to the selected country, making the broadcaster recognize you as a local viewer. If the stream doesn't load immediately, try switching to a different server in the same country. For more guidance, see how to change your location with a VPN.

NordVPN connected to an Australian server

Step 4. Open ITVX or SBS On Demand

Visit ITVX or SBS On Demand in your browser or app. Create a free account if you don't have one. During registration, you'll be asked for a UK postcode (for ITVX) or an Australian postcode (for SBS). Use any valid postcode from the respective country to complete signup. For best results, use a private browser window or clear your cookies if the site detects a previous session location.

Step 5. Start streaming Belgium vs Senegal

Navigate to the World Cup section on ITVX or SBS On Demand and find the Belgium vs Senegal Round of 32 match. Click the live stream and start watching. Keep the VPN active throughout the match for uninterrupted access. If you encounter any issues, try these quick troubleshooting steps: switch to a different server in the same country, restart the VPN app, clear your browser cache, or try a different device.

How to watch Belgium vs Senegal on different devices

Watching Belgium vs Senegal depends on whether the streaming service supports your device and whether the VPN works on that device. ITVX and SBS On Demand support most major platforms, including web browsers, iOS, Android, smart TVs, Fire TV, and Apple TV. However, some devices like Roku and certain Samsung or LG smart TVs don't support VPN apps directly, so you may need workarounds like router-level VPN, Smart DNS, or casting from a phone or laptop.

DeviceITVXSBS On DemandNordVPNNotes
Web browserYesYesYesSimplest setup; works on any desktop or mobile browser
iPhone / iPadYesYesYesITVX and SBS apps available globally; VPN required for access
Android phone / tabletYesYesYesApps available on Google Play; VPN required for access
Smart TV (Samsung, LG)LimitedLimitedSmart DNS / Router VPNTizen and webOS app stores are region-locked; use Smart DNS or router VPN
Smart TV (Google TV, Android TV)YesYesYesNative VPN app available; broadest broadcaster app catalog
Fire TV / Fire StickYesYesYesNative NordVPN app; ITVX and SBS apps available
Apple TVYesYesYesNative NordVPN app; ITVX and SBS apps available
RokuYesYesRouter VPN onlyNo native VPN app; router-level VPN required
ChromecastCast onlyCast onlyYes (on source device)Cast from phone or laptop with VPN active
PlayStation / XboxLimitedLimitedRouter VPN onlyNo native VPN app; router-level VPN required

For Samsung Tizen and LG webOS smart TVs without native VPN support, install NordVPN on your router to route all home network traffic through the VPN. NordVPN and Surfshark both publish router setup guides. Alternatively, use NordVPN's Smart DNS feature, which changes your apparent location without encrypting traffic. For the easiest experience, watch on a laptop, mobile browser, Fire TV, or Android TV, where both the VPN and broadcaster apps work seamlessly.

Belgium vs Senegal match preview

Historical review

Belgium and Senegal have no competitive head-to-head record. This is their first meeting in a major tournament and their first encounter in any competitive fixture. With no historical precedent, both teams enter this knockout clash with a clean slate.

Current form

Belgium are unbeaten in their last 13 matches across all competitions with 9 wins and 4 draws. In the group stage, they drew 1-1 with Egypt, drew 0-0 with Iran, and finished with a commanding 5-1 victory over New Zealand. Leandro Trossard scored a double against New Zealand, while Romelu Lukaku and Kevin De Bruyne both found the net despite carrying injuries earlier in the tournament. Belgium's attack has come alive at the right time, and their defensive solidity in the knockout stage will be key.

Senegal had a more turbulent group stage, losing 3-2 to Norway and 3-1 to France before a crucial 5-0 demolition of Iraq secured their place among the best third-place teams. Habib Diarra, Pape Gueye, and Iliman Ndiaye all played prominent roles in the Iraq victory. Senegal's recent form outside the tournament includes a 0-0 draw with Saudi Arabia and a 3-2 loss to the USA in pre-tournament friendlies.

Team news

Belgium named Kevin De Bruyne (Napoli) and Romelu Lukaku (Napoli) in their squad despite both carrying injuries earlier in the season. De Bruyne had an eye injury and Lukaku a hip issue, but both are reported fully fit for the knockout stage and have featured in all three group matches. Leandro Trossard (Arsenal) is in excellent form after his double against New Zealand. Belgium's manager, Rudi Garcia, has a full squad to choose from with no confirmed suspensions or late fitness tests.

Senegal captain Sadio Mané (Al-Nassr) remains the attacking leader alongside Nicolas Jackson (Bayern Munich) and Iliman Ndiaye (Everton). Defensive anchor Kalidou Koulibaly (Al-Hilal) and midfielder Idrissa Gueye (Everton) provide experience and leadership. Senegal has no confirmed injuries or suspensions heading into the Round of 32, giving manager Pape Thiaw a full squad to select from.

Tournament context

Belgium finished first in Group G with 5 points after two draws and a decisive win over New Zealand. As group winners, they face a third-place team in the Round of 32. This is Belgium's 15th World Cup appearance, with their best finish being third place. A win sends them through to the Round of 16, where they would face the winner of England vs DR Congo.

Senegal advanced as one of the eight best third-place teams from Group I, finishing with 3 points after beating Iraq 5-0 on the final matchday. This is Senegal's fourth World Cup appearance. A win would send them through to face the winner of the other half of the bracket, continuing their quest to match or surpass their 2002 quarterfinal finish.

FAQ