FIFA takes on EA Sports with new football video game exclusively on Netflix

FIFA is set to return to the video game market after announcing a partnership with US media giant Netflix.

The agreement signals a new chapter in the world football governing body’s gaming strategy following its high-profile falling out with Electronic Arts, which produced FIFA’s video game franchise for three decades.

For decades, FIFA relied on US games maker Electronic Arts to produce one of the world’s most profitable sports video games. That partnership ended amid disagreements over licensing fees, prompting EA to drop the FIFA brand name and continue the extremely popular series under the title EA Sports FC.

Under the deal, Netflix will offer the new football game exclusively to its subscribers at no additional cost. The title, developed by the studio Delphi Interactive, is scheduled for release in 2026, shortly before the men’s World Cup.

Alain Tascan, President of Games at Netflix, said: “The FIFA World Cup is going to be the cultural event of 2026, and now fans will be able to celebrate their fandom by bringing the game right into their living rooms.”

Details about gameplay remain limited, but Netflix said players will be able to compete solo or online with friends using a mobile phone. “All you need is Netflix and your phone,” the company said.

Describing the collaboration as “a key milestone in FIFA’s commitment to innovation in the football gaming space,” FIFA President Gianni Infantino said the organisation was “very excited to team up with Netflix Games and Delphi Interactive ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026.”

“Our reimagined game truly marks the beginning of a new era of digital football,” he added. “It will be available for free to Netflix members and is a great historic step for FIFA.”