In a major move that blends streaming entertainment with global sports, Netflix has officially announced the development of a licensed FIFA football game set for release in 2026. The news, confirmed through the company's official newsroom, Netflix Tudum, marks a significant new partnership between the streaming giant and world football's governing body.
A New Player Enters the Football Gaming Arena
This announcement signals a pivotal shift in the digital sports landscape. Following the end of FIFA's long-standing partnership with EA Sports, the governing body has now teamed up with Netflix. The upcoming title will carry the official FIFA branding and is being developed specifically for the Netflix Games catalogue.
The game is scheduled for release in 2026, timed to coincide with the FIFA Men's World Cup tournament that will be hosted across the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Crucially, Netflix has confirmed that the game will be available to all its subscribers through the Netflix Games platform at no additional cost, requiring only an active subscription.
Accessible Football Fun for a Global Audience
Netflix describes the project as a football simulation game designed to be accessible to a wide audience. This aligns with the company's existing mobile-focused games library, which has been expanding across various genres including sports, puzzles, and action adventures.
The release strategy is cleverly tied to one of the planet's most-watched events. The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be historic, as the first tournament to feature 48 teams, making it the largest in the competition's history. This expanded format is expected to draw record global viewership, both for live matches and related content like this new game.
For now, specific details on gameplay mechanics, features, or an exact release date remain under wraps. Netflix has stated that more information will be shared closer to 2026. FIFA has acknowledged this collaboration as part of its broader digital strategy to engage younger, global audiences beyond traditional broadcast and gaming platforms.
Netflix's Broader Push into Interactive Entertainment
This move significantly strengthens Netflix's ambitions in the interactive content space. The company has invested heavily in recent years to grow its games offering as a way to increase user engagement beyond films and series. The Netflix Games library, accessible via its mobile app, already offers dozens of titles free of advertisements and in-app purchases.
By leveraging a globally recognized franchise like the FIFA World Cup, Netflix aims to attract millions of football fans directly into its ecosystem during the peak of the sporting event. The company has increasingly relied on major franchises and global phenomena to raise awareness and drive adoption of its gaming service.
The FIFA World Cup 2026 is set to take place between June and July 2026, with matches spread across 16 host cities in North America. It will be the first World Cup jointly hosted by three nations and is anticipated to shatter previous attendance and viewership records. Netflix's game is poised to launch around this tournament period, offering fans a new, interactive way to engage with the world's biggest football spectacle.
