FIFA is officially making its return to video games, and this time it is doing so in partnership with Netflix. Scheduled for release in the summer of 2026, the new FIFA-branded football game will launch exclusively on Netflix Games, marking a major shift in how one of the world’s most recognizable sports brands approaches interactive entertainment. The release is strategically timed to align with the FIFA World Cup 2026, which will be hosted across the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

This upcoming title represents FIFA’s first major football game since the organization parted ways with longtime partner EA Sports in 2022. That split brought an end to the decades-long FIFA video game series, EA delisted all FIFA games from their catalog in 2023.  This led EA to rebrand its franchise as EA Sports FC. However, rather than returning to traditional console and PC platforms, FIFA’s new project is taking a different direction by targeting accessibility and global reach through Netflix’s expanding gaming ecosystem.

According to Tudum a Netflix subsidiary, the game is being developed by Delphi Interactive and will be available to Netflix subscribers at no additional cost. Players will be able to play directly through the Netflix app on smart TVs, using their smartphones as controllers, as well as on mobile devices through Netflix Games. By removing the need for dedicated gaming hardware, the project aims to make football gaming more approachable for casual players while still appealing to long-time fans of the sport.

While FIFA and Netflix have not yet revealed an official title or detailed gameplay footage, early descriptions suggest a fast-paced football experience designed to be easy to pick up but rewarding to master. The game is expected to highlight the excitement, drama, and global atmosphere of the World Cup, with a strong focus on multiplayer and social play. Whether the game will feature fully licensed teams, stadiums, and players remains unclear, though FIFA has indicated that authenticity will be an important part of the experience.

The partnership is also significant for Netflix, which has been steadily expanding its gaming ambitions in recent years. By securing a globally recognized brand like FIFA, Netflix is signaling its intent to compete more seriously in the interactive entertainment space and to blend gaming with major cultural events. The World Cup connection provides a unique opportunity to engage millions of fans at a time when global attention is firmly fixed on football.

As anticipation builds toward 2026, many questions remain about how the game will compare to established football titles like FC 26 and whether it can redefine expectations for sports games on streaming platforms. What is clear, is that FIFA’s collaboration with Netflix represents a bold new chapter for football gaming, one that could change how fans play, watch, and interact with the world’s most popular sport.