Netflix and FIFA Kick Off Exclusive World Cup Game Ahead of FIFA World Cup 2026
Football’s global governing body FIFA and streaming giant Netflix have announced a landmark partnership aimed at extending the excitement of the upcoming FIFA World Cup 2026 to OTT screens worldwide. As part of the collaboration, a new football video game titled FIFA World Cup: Launch Edition will be released exclusively through Netflix Games ahead of the tournament.
The biggest attraction of the game is that Netflix subscribers will be able to play it completely free of charge, with no additional payments or in-app purchases required.
48 National Teams and 16 Official Venues Included
According to a joint announcement from FIFA and Netflix, the game will become available on Netflix Games starting June 11, the day of the opening match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The game will feature all 48 national teams participating in the expanded tournament, along with detailed digital recreations of the 16 official stadiums located across the three host nations—United States, Mexico, and Canada.
More than 1,200 real-life footballers have also been included. Players will be able to select their favorite national teams and compete according to the official World Cup fixture schedule, recreating the tournament experience virtually.
Smartphones Become the Game Controller
Designed with casual football fans in mind, the game features a simplified and accessible control system that eliminates the need for expensive gaming consoles or dedicated controllers.
Users can launch the game on a compatible smart TV and simply scan an on-screen QR code. Their smartphone will then instantly transform into the game controller, allowing them to pass, shoot, and control players through touch-screen commands.
The game will also support local multiplayer mode, enabling up to four friends in the same room to connect their smartphones and compete together on a single television screen.
FIFA’s New Digital Engagement Strategy
FIFA stated that this initial “Launch Edition” focuses on streamlined gameplay and quick-match experiences. However, it represents only the beginning of a broader development roadmap. Future updates are expected to introduce additional features, tournament modes, and significant graphical enhancements.
The partnership with Netflix forms part of FIFA’s wider digital engagement strategy, which seeks to attract mainstream mobile and television audiences to football gaming beyond traditional console ecosystems.
With the FIFA World Cup 2026 fast approaching, the new game is expected to provide millions of football fans worldwide with an additional layer of entertainment and engagement throughout the tournament period.
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