Here’s the latest on FIFA World Cup video games based on recent reports.
Key developments
- Netflix is reportedly releasing a FIFA World Cup-themed football game as a mobile-only title on Netflix Games, developed by Delphi Interactive, timed to the 2026 World Cup. This marks FIFA’s shift away from a single EA Sports partnership and expands licensing to new publishers/platforms. This mobile game targets Netflix subscribers and can be played solo or with friends on smartphones [sources indicate Netflix collaboration and a 2026 World Cup tie-in].[1][2]
- FIFA has also been pursuing additional partnerships for World Cup content, including licensing arrangements that could include World Cup modes or licensed stadiums and teams across multiple platforms, as part of its broader strategy after splitting with EA Sports.[4][5]
What to expect for 2026 World Cup gaming
- A dedicated World Cup mode or event content in non-EA titles is likely, given FIFA’s push to license World Cup assets to multiple partners and to provide fans with World Cup-themed experiences across different devices.[5][4]
- EA Sports FC titles (the successor to FIFA) are still active in the market, with ongoing updates and potential World Cup-related cards or offline modes, but the primary new World Cup gameplay experiences appear to be moving toward Netflix’s mobile title and other licensed partnerships.[6][1]
Illustrative note
- If you’re curious about how these shifts compare with past World Cup games, FIFA’s license changes in the 2010s and 2020s led to a fragmented landscape with multiple publishers pursuing World Cup-related content, rather than a single, all-encompassing title.[4]
Would you like a quick side-by-side table of
- EA Sports FC 26/EA FC titles vs. the Netflix World Cup mobile game,
- platform availability,
- and expected World Cup modes or features?
Citations
- Netflix partnership and stated World Cup timing for a new FIFA mobile game.[2][1]
- FIFA licensing strategy and multi-partner approach post-split with EA Sports.[5][4]
Sources
FIFA have confirmed that the organization will partner with new third-party studios and publishers after Tuesday's announcement that their annual game with EA Sports would go on without the FIFA license.
www.goal.com“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”
humenglish.comRelease Date, Trailers, News, Reviews, Guides, Gameplay and more for 2006 FIFA World Cup
www.ign.comBy Nick Kariuki Thousands will travel to Canada this summer to watch 24 national soccer teams compete across six cities for the World Cup title. In the sports video game world, industry leader Electronic Arts Inc. takes the opportunity to release a new title of its licensed “FIFA” franchise. That means a game with all […]
news.medill.northwestern.eduFIFA have confirmed that the organization will partner with new third-party studios and publishers after Tuesday's announcement that their annual game with EA Sports would go on without the FIFA license.
www.goal.comGaming company EA and FIFA - football's international governing body - previously combined to run the flagship football esports tournament. It had been branded the FIFAe World Cup since 2018 until the most recent final in July.
news.sky.comFIFA are finally releasing a new video game after splitting from EA Sports. However, it's a mobile game releasing on Netflix.
esports-news.co.uk