FIFA returns to gaming with Netflix World Cup 26 title
FIFA is making a surprise return to video games with a new football title exclusive to Netflix, marking its first official gaming release since splitting with EA Sports in 2023.
The yet-to-be-named game is being developed by Netflix Games in partnership with Delphi Interactive and is slated to launch in 2026, timed to coincide with the Men's Football World Cup in North America. It will be available via the Netflix app on iOS and Android, signalling a mobile-first approach rather than a traditional console release.
The announcement ends a two-year absence for FIFA from the games market after its long-running and lucrative partnership with EA Sports collapsed. FIFA reportedly sought a $1bn licensing deal to allow EA to continue to use World Cup branding — a figure EA declined to pay.
EA went on to release its own football franchise without FIFA branding (EA FC) - which has continued to sell strongly, shifting more than 11 million copies in its first weeks.
For decades FIFA’s game series was one of the most profitable in entertainment, with an estimated 150 million players worldwide at its peak. Its return - albeit in a very different form - underscores how valuable the FIFA name remains, even as the games market evolves.
Mobile First
Unlike EA’s controller-driven console experience, FIFA’s Netflix title will be designed primarily for mobile, suggesting gameplay that could lean toward management, simulation, or player-journey mechanics rather than traditional 11-v-11 matches.
Netflix has not yet shared gameplay footage or detailed mechanics, describing it only as a “reimagined” football experience.
The move also reflects Netflix’s broader push into gaming, as it looks to expand beyond film and television into interactive entertainment.
The company has already added high-profile titles such as Grand Theft Auto and WWE 2K to its games catalogue, though the wider gaming market has proven difficult to crack — with major players like Google’s Stadia platform failing after heavy investment.
The FIFA World Cup is going to be the cultural event of 2026, and now fans will be able to celebrate their fandom by bringing the game right into their living rooms,” said Alain Tascan, President of Games at Netflix.
“We want to bring football back to its roots with something everyone can play with just the touch of a button.”
FIFA President Gianni Infantino said: “This major collaboration is a key milestone in FIFA’s commitment to innovation in the football gaming space, which aspires to reach billions of football fans of all ages everywhere in the world and will be redefining the pure notion of simulation games.”
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