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FIFA is set to return to the video game market by announcing a partnership with US media giant Netflix.
The agreement signals the beginning of a new chapter in world soccer’s governing body’s gaming strategy, following a high-profile falling out with Electronic Arts, which has produced the FIFA video game series for 30 years.
For decades, FIFA has relied on American game maker Electronic Arts to create the world’s most profitable sports video game. The partnership ended due to disagreements over licensing fees, and EA ended up dropping the FIFA brand name and continuing the hugely popular series under the title EA Sports FC.
Under the agreement, Netflix will offer new soccer games exclusively to subscribers at no additional charge. The title is developed by studio Delphi Interactive and is scheduled to be released in 2026, just before the Men’s World Cup.
“The FIFA World Cup will be the cultural event of 2026, and fans will be able to celebrate fandom by bringing the game into their living rooms,” said Alan Tuscan, president of games at Netflix.
Gameplay details are still limited, but Netflix says players can play solo or against friends online using their mobile phones. “All you need is Netflix and your phone,” the company says.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino described the partnership as “an important milestone in FIFA’s commitment to innovation in the field of soccer games” and said that FIFA is “very excited to partner with Netflix Games and Delphi Interactive ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup”.
“Our reimagined game truly marks the beginning of a new era of digital football,” he added. “Netflix members will now be able to watch for free, which is a great historic step for FIFA.”