A new FIFA-branded football video game is officially on the way, and it marks a major shift for the iconic franchise. Netflix has announced that a reimagined FIFA football game will launch exclusively on Netflix Games in time for the FIFA World Cup 2026. This will be the first football game to carry the FIFA name since FIFA 23, following the end of FIFA’s long-standing partnership with Electronic Arts.
Designed primarily for mobile players, the upcoming title aims to make football gaming more accessible, social, and globally inclusive. Netflix says subscribers will be able to play solo or compete with friends online, at no extra cost. While gameplay details remain limited, the project signals FIFA’s return to gaming through a very different platform and philosophy.
FIFA’s return to gaming after the EA split
The 30-year partnership between FIFA and Electronic Arts officially ended in 2022. Since then, EA has continued releasing football games under the EA Sports FC banner, while FIFA promised to bring back its own licensed title.
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This new Netflix Games project is the first result of that promise. It will be the first officially licensed FIFA football game since FIFA 23 and represents a clean break from traditional console-focused football simulations.
Netflix Games and Delphi Interactive leading development
The new FIFA title is being developed and published by Delphi Interactive, which describes itself as a AAA studio. According to the developer, it has previously worked on high-profile projects like 007 First Light alongside IO Interactive.
Netflix confirmed that the game will be part of its growing Netflix Games catalogue. Netflix subscribers will be able to play the football game for free on supported mobile devices, with availability on select smart TVs in certain regions as well.
Tied directly to the FIFA World Cup 2026
The release of the game is timed around the FIFA World Cup 2026, which will be hosted across the United States, Canada, and Mexico starting June 11, 2026. Netflix says the game will let players experience the “emotion and drama” of the tournament, suggesting official teams, branding, and World Cup-themed content.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino described the partnership as the start of a “new era of digital football,” aimed at reaching billions of fans worldwide.
A more accessible football gaming experience
Unlike traditional console football titles, the Netflix FIFA game is expected to focus on simpler, touch-based controls rather than deep simulation mechanics. Netflix Games president Alain Tascan said the goal is to bring football “back to its roots,” making it easy for anyone to play with just a tap on the screen.
While Netflix has not yet shared gameplay footage or screenshots, the emphasis appears to be on fun, accessibility, and social play rather than hyper-realistic simulation.
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What to expect next
For now, Netflix and FIFA are keeping most details under wraps. More information about gameplay, supported devices, and regional availability is expected to be revealed sometime in 2026. What is clear, however, is that FIFA is betting on mobile gaming and streaming platforms to redefine how football games reach fans.
Final thoughts
The upcoming FIFA game on Netflix Games represents a bold reinvention of a legendary franchise. By moving away from traditional console releases and embracing mobile-first, subscription-based gaming, FIFA and Netflix are targeting a much wider audience. With the FIFA World Cup 2026 as its backdrop, the game has the potential to introduce football gaming to millions of new players. Whether it can live up to the legacy of past FIFA titles will depend on how well it balances accessibility, authenticity, and fun when it finally launches.