Every single World Cup match is free in Iran — all 104 games on IRIB, no subscription required. IRIB Varzesh and IRIB 3 carry the full tournament. Iran is one of the few countries where you need zero paid services. The Belgium match at 22:30 IRST is prime-time perfection, but the New Zealand (04:30) and Egypt (06:30) matches require early alarms.
Where to Watch: Free and Paid
- IRIB Varzesh — Free, state sports channel. All Iran matches and major tournament fixtures
- IRIB 3 — Free, state channel. Additional World Cup coverage and overflow matches
- IRIB website and apps — Free streaming of all IRIB channels
- Telewebion — Free online platform carrying IRIB channels
- Filimo — Streaming service with IRIB channel access
No paid alternative is needed in Iran. IRIB holds exclusive rights and broadcasts everything free.
When to Watch: Kickoff Times in Iran
Iran uses IRST (UTC+3:30, no DST — abolished in 2022):
| US Kickoff (ET) | Local Time (IRST) | Verdict |
|---|---|---|
| 11:00 AM ET | 18:30 | Evening — excellent |
| 2:00 PM ET | 21:30 | Late evening — prime time |
| 5:00 PM ET | 00:30 (+1 day) | After midnight — tough |
| 8:00 PM ET | 03:30 (+1 day) | Early morning — very tough |
Iran’s Group G Schedule (local time):
| Match | Date / Local Time | City |
|---|---|---|
| Iran vs New Zealand | June 16 / 04:30 IRST | Inglewood (LA) |
| Iran vs Belgium | June 21 / 22:30 IRST | Inglewood (LA) |
| Iran vs Egypt | June 27 / 06:30 IRST | Seattle |
The Belgium match at 22:30 is the golden slot — late but watchable. New Zealand at 04:30 and Egypt at 06:30 mean setting alarms before dawn.
Must-Watch Matches
- Final — July 19, MetLife Stadium. Local time: 23:30 IRST
- Semifinals — July 14-15. Local time: 23:30-04:30 IRST
- Iran vs Belgium — Group G, June 21. Team Melli’s best chance to shock a European giant, at a watchable 22:30 IRST. The biggest match of Iran’s group stage.
FAQ
Are all World Cup matches free in Iran? Yes. IRIB (state TV) has exclusive rights and broadcasts all 104 matches free on IRIB Varzesh and IRIB 3. No subscription needed.
What time do Iran’s matches kick off locally? 04:30 IRST vs New Zealand, 22:30 IRST vs Belgium (prime time), and 06:30 IRST vs Egypt. One great evening slot, two early morning.
Is there a streaming option in Iran? IRIB streams on its website and apps. Telewebion and Filimo also carry IRIB channels for online viewing.