FIFA is coming back to video games, but not in the way you’d expect

Things just haven’t been the same ever since FIFA and Electronic Arts split back in 2022. In the aftermath, EA went off to make EA Sports FC, which arguably did just fine without the official licence.

Meanwhile, the governing body promised it would eventually return with something else. Well, that is finally happening. The official FIFA video game is coming back next summer, but it is landing exclusively on Netflix.

FIFA returns as Netflix exclusive

Arriving just in time for the 2026 World Cup, this looks like a pivot from the real simulations we’ve played on consoles. Instead of a pricey annual release, this will be free for subscribers and playable on phones. You’ll also be able to play on select TVs using a mobile device as the controller.

The game is being developed by Delphi Interactive, a California studio that is arguably pretty fresh to the scene. Although, they are currently helping IO Interactive with that upcoming James Bond project, 007: First Light.

As for the game itself, it feels like a play for the casual crowd. Netflix’s gaming boss Alain Tascan mentioned wanting to bring football “back to its roots” with an experience anyone can play with one button. Delphi’s CEO Casper Daugaard basically confirmed this, noting that the goal is to make the “most fun, approachable” football title.

It’s an unexpected move. That’s because when the licensing deal collapsed—ending a 30-year run that sold over 150 million copies—FIFA President Gianni Infantino talked a big game about creating the only “authentic” football sim. But since then, we have mostly just seen smaller arcade projects like FIFA Rivals. Now, this upcoming game doesn’t seem to be a true simulator either.

We still do not know exactly what this looks like in motion. But with the World Cup coming up next year, putting the official game inside an app millions already have installed is a bold strategy.