FIFA Returns to Football Gaming with Netflix Ahead of 2026 World Cup

FIFA has confirmed its return to the football video game market through a new partnership with Netflix, marking a shift in how the global governing body approaches digital fan engagement. The new football title will be released exclusively on Netflix Games and is scheduled to launch ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, bringing FIFA back into gaming following its high profile split from long time partner EA Sports.

The move represents a deliberate repositioning by FIFA, which is seeking greater control over its intellectual property and closer direct access to fans. Rather than pursuing a traditional console based release, the game will be mobile first and available to Netflix subscribers at no additional cost. It will also be playable on selected smart TVs using smartphones as controllers, lowering the barrier to entry and targeting casual and younger audiences.

For Netflix, the partnership reinforces its growing ambitions in interactive entertainment and sports adjacent content. While the platform has steadily expanded its gaming catalogue, securing a globally recognised football licence significantly strengthens its proposition. With football content consistently ranking among the most watched genres worldwide, the integration of an official FIFA game aligns closely with Netflix’s strategy to increase engagement time and subscriber retention.

From a sports tech perspective, the collaboration reflects a wider industry trend towards platform based ecosystems rather than standalone products. FIFA is no longer simply licensing its name to a developer but embedding its gaming strategy within a global entertainment service with hundreds of millions of users. This approach allows for data driven fan insights, scalable updates, and tighter integration with live tournament moments.

The timing is also notable. With the 2026 World Cup expected to be the most commercially expansive in FIFA’s history, the game is positioned as a complementary engagement tool rather than a direct competitor to traditional console titles. For UK audiences, where mobile gaming penetration continues to rise, the accessibility of the platform may prove particularly attractive.

While gameplay details remain limited, the announcement signals a clear shift in how football’s governing body views gaming, not as a standalone product but as a strategic digital touchpoint within a broader fan engagement ecosystem.