In a move that has sent surprise through both the gaming and streaming industries, world football’s governing body, FIFA, announced today an exclusive partnership with Netflix to launch a brand-new football simulation game. The title is slated for release in the summer of 2026, timed perfectly to coincide with the FIFA World Cup 2026 hosted across North America.
The announcement marks the official return of the “FIFA” brand to the simulation gaming market following its high-profile divorce from Electronic Arts (EA) in 2022. While EA has since found massive success with its rebranded EA Sports FC series, FIFA President Gianni Infantino has long promised a “true” FIFA successor that would rival the industry leader.
A New Vision for Digital Football
The upcoming title, which remains unnamed, is being developed and published by Delphi Interactive, a California-based studio also currently collaborating with IO Interactive on the James Bond project, 007: First Light.
Unlike the complex, high-fidelity simulation associated with traditional console gaming, the Netflix-exclusive FIFA title appears to be targeting a broader, more casual audience. According to official statements, the game is designed to be “fast to learn, thrilling to master, and built for anyone to jump in.”
“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,” said Alain Tascan, President of Games at Netflix. “We want to bring football back to its roots with something everyone can play with just the touch of a button.”
Gameplay and Accessibility
Netflix is leveraging its growing cloud gaming infrastructure for this launch. The game will be available to all Netflix members at no additional cost and will feature:
- Solo and Online Multiplayer: Players can compete against AI or friends globally.
- Smartphone-as-Controller: In a bid to remove hardware barriers, the game will allow users to play on their TVs using their smartphones as the primary controller.
- Mobile and TV Integration: The title will roll out on mobile devices and select smart TVs simultaneously, with a wider global rollout planned as the tournament approaches.
Ending the “EA Era”
For nearly 30 years, the name “FIFA” was synonymous with EA Sports. That partnership ended after disagreements over licensing fees, with FIFA reportedly seeking over $1 billion for the naming rights. Since the split, FIFA has experimented with smaller, blockchain-based and mobile arcade games, but this Netflix partnership represents its first serious attempt to re-enter the simulation space.
Gianni Infantino described the collaboration as a “key milestone” for the organization. “Our reimagined game truly marks the beginning of a new era of digital football,” Infantino stated. “It will be a great historic step for FIFA to reach billions of fans of all ages.”
Netflix’s $82 Billion Ambition
The timing of this announcement is particularly notable given the current landscape of the streaming giant. Netflix has been aggressively expanding its gaming portfolio to combat subscriber churn, recently adding heavyweights like Grand Theft Auto and WWE 2K to its library.
Industry analysts suggest that the FIFA deal is a cornerstone of Netflix’s broader entertainment strategy. This comes amid ongoing reports that Netflix is in talks to acquire major assets from Warner Bros. Discovery in a deal valued at approximately $82.7 billion, a move that would fundamentally shift the power balance in global media.
Market Reaction and Next Steps
While fans of the original series are curious to see if Delphi Interactive can match the mechanical depth of EA Sports FC, the industry view is that Netflix is not trying to beat EA at its own game. Instead, they are looking to capture the “casual” majority of the billions of fans who watch the World Cup but may not own a $500 gaming console.
What’s Next? FIFA and Netflix have confirmed that more specific details regarding gameplay mechanics, licensed teams, and the official title will be revealed in early 2026.
