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How to watch Portugal vs Uzbekistan live stream for free – FIFA World Cup 2026


Portugal take on Uzbekistan in a crucial Group K clash at NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas, United States on June 23rd, 2026. Portugal, ranked 6th by FIFA, enter the tournament as European heavyweights and favorites in Group K, while Uzbekistan make their World Cup debut after qualifying from Asia. Both sides will be looking to build momentum in the group stage, with Portugal aiming to assert dominance and Uzbekistan seeking to make history in their first-ever World Cup appearance.

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 match takes place at NRG Stadium, Houston, Texas, United States, in the Group K second round. Kickoff is at 12:00 PM CT on June 23rd, 2026, which is 1:00 PM ET / 10:00 AM PT / 6:00 PM BST / 7:00 PM CEST. The match streams free on ITVX in the UK, and viewers outside the UK can access it with a VPN.

Where to watch Portugal vs Uzbekistan

CountryStreaming ServicePriceLocal kickoff timeNotes
United StatesFox Sports / TelemundoPaid (Fox Sports) / Free OTA (Telemundo)1:00 PM ET / 10:00 AM PTTubi (VOD, 30 min after live)
PortugalLiveModeTV (YouTube) / Sport TVFree / Paid (EUR 14.99/month)6:00 PM WESTLiveModeTV free on YouTube
UzbekistanZo'r TVFree11:00 PM UZTFree OTA
United KingdomITVXFree6:00 PM BSTFree account required
AustraliaSBS On DemandFree3:00 AM AEST, June 24thFree account required
MENAbeIN Sports / TODPaid (from $14.99/month)8:00 PM ASTAll 104 matches

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

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  1. Choose a reliable VPN - I recommend NordVPN, now with 75%% OFF
  2. Download the VPN and create an account
  3. Connect to a server in the UK or Australia for a free English broadcast
  4. Go to the broadcaster's website and start streaming the matches
Tip: Use a UK postcode when signing up

BBC iPlayer and ITVX ask for a UK postcode during account creation. Any valid UK postcode works (e.g., SW1A 1AA for Buckingham Palace or M1 1AE for Manchester). The postcode is for content licensing verification, not billing, so you can use a publicly listed address. Once your account is active, connect to a UK VPN server and start streaming.

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Why you need a VPN to watch Portugal vs Uzbekistan

Broadcasters like ITVX, SBS On Demand, and LiveModeTV restrict access based on your IP address. If you're traveling or living outside the UK, Australia, or Portugal, you'll see a geo-block error when trying to stream the match. A VPN solves this by masking your real location and routing your connection through a server in the broadcaster's home country, making it appear as though you're accessing the stream locally.

BBC iPlayer geo-restriction message
Geo-restriction message on BBC iPlayer

Using a VPN is legal in most countries and is the standard method for accessing home-country streaming services while abroad. Once connected to a UK server, you can access ITVX exactly as you would from inside the UK. The same principle applies to SBS On Demand in Australia and LiveModeTV in Portugal.

World Cup 2026 streaming hub on ITVX
World Cup 2026 streaming hub on ITVX

How to watch Portugal vs Uzbekistan free with a VPN - detailed guide

1. Choose a reliable VPN

NordVPN is the best VPN for streaming the World Cup, starting from $3.49/month on the 2-year plan. It maintains 82% NordLynx speed retention for buffer-free HD streaming. NordVPN reliably unblocks ITVX, BBC iPlayer, SBS On Demand, and LiveModeTV, and includes Smart DNS for smart TVs that don't support VPN apps natively. Every plan comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can test it risk-free for the entire tournament. Read our full NordVPN review for performance benchmarks and setup guides.

2. Install the VPN app

Download the NordVPN app for your device from the official website or app store. NordVPN supports Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Fire TV, Apple TV, Android TV, and most smart TV platforms. Install the app and log in with your account credentials.

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3. Connect to a server in the UK

Open the NordVPN app and select a server in the United Kingdom to access ITVX. NordVPN's app will automatically connect you to the fastest available UK server. If you need help changing your VPN location, see our guide on how to change your location with a VPN.

Connected to UK server NordVPN

4. Open ITVX and create a free account

Go to ITVX and create a free account. You'll need to provide a UK postcode during signup (any valid UK postcode works, such as SW1A 1AA). No payment details are required.

5. Start the Portugal vs Uzbekistan match

Navigate to the World Cup 2026 hub on ITVX and select the Portugal vs Uzbekistan match. The stream should load immediately. If you encounter buffering, switch to a different UK server in the NordVPN app.

Portugal vs Uzbekistan match preview

Historical review

Portugal and Uzbekistan have never faced each other in a competitive international match. This is Uzbekistan's first-ever World Cup appearance after qualifying through the AFC, while Portugal are appearing in their 9th World Cup. Portugal's historical pedigree includes a third-place finish in 1966 and a fourth-place finish in 2006, while Uzbekistan's best international result came at the 2011 Asian Cup, where they reached the semifinals.

Current form

Portugal enter the tournament on a strong run, winning 4 of their last 5 internationals including a 3-1 victory over Poland and a 2-0 win over Scotland in pre-tournament friendlies. Manager Roberto Martinez has built a balanced squad blending experience and youth, with a fluid attacking system built around Bruno Fernandes and Rafael Leão. Uzbekistan qualified for the World Cup with an impressive campaign, finishing second in their AFC group behind Japan, and arrive with momentum after a 1-0 win over Vietnam in their final warm-up match.

Team news

Portugal enters the match looking to build on its opening draw against DR Congo, with head coach Roberto Martínez expected to rely on his experienced core alongside several attacking options. Cristiano Ronaldo remains available for selection, while players such as Bruno Fernandes, Bernardo Silva, Rafael Leão, and João Félix could all feature as Portugal looks for its first win of the tournament.Uzbekistan, meanwhile, is aiming to bounce back after a 3-1 defeat to Colombia. The side will once again look to captain Eldor Shomurodov to lead the attack, supported by a disciplined midfield and defense as it searches for its first-ever FIFA World Cup points.

Tournament context

This is the second match of Group K for both sides. Portugal are favorites to top the group, while Uzbekistan will be looking to cause an upset in their debut World Cup campaign. A win for Portugal would put them in a strong position to advance to the knockout stage, while Uzbekistan need points to keep their hopes alive alongside DR Congo and Colombia in the group.

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