La FIFA returns to the forefront of video games with a move that completely changes the game: a strategic alliance with Netflix to launch a new football simulator which will be released exclusively on Netflix Games. The project, slated to coincide with the start of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, aims to become one of the biggest digital entertainment offerings of next summer.
After years of joint dominance with Electronic Arts, the federation definitively breaks with the past and It is betting on a model focused on streaming and mobile devicesThe stated goal is to reach billions of fans through a free-to-play, accessible, and easy-to-use game for subscribers, which can be enjoyed in Spain, the rest of Europe, and the world without the need for a console or PC.
A new chapter after the divorce with EA Sports
For more than three decades, The FIFA brand was linked to Electronic Arts gamesThis led to one of the most profitable and recognizable sports franchises in the world. That partnership ended when the two sides clashed over licensing fees, leaving EA free to continue its series as EA Sports FC, while FIFA lost its traditional presence on consoles and PC.
Since then, the organization chaired by Gianni Infantino EA Sports FC had promised that the brand would remain linked to "the best possible football game," but the truth is that, beyond a few minor projects like FIFA Heroes, no serious competitor had emerged. The new agreement with Netflix aims to fill that void with a different approach, one more accessible to a wider audience and less focused on classic arcade simulation.
FIFA itself presents this collaboration as “a key milestone in their commitment to innovation in the world of football video games” And he speaks of a “new era of digital football.” The intention is clear: to regain relevance in the interactive arena by leveraging Netflix’s enormous subscriber base, including in key European markets such as Spain, France, Germany, and Italy.
A reinvented FIFA: exclusive to Netflix Games
The game, still without an official title, is defined as A football simulator "reinvented" and designed from scratch for Netflix GamesIt will not be a mere adaptation of the classic FIFA games, but a reinterpretation of the genre that will prioritize accessibility, fast-paced matches, and a very gentle learning curve.
According to information released by both parties, Access will be included within the standard Netflix subscription, at no additional cost.This means that any subscriber, whether in Spain or any other European country where the platform is available, will be able to try the game without paying anything beyond the monthly streaming service fee.
The project will be available exclusively within the Netflix Games catalogThis move reinforces the company's strategy of expanding beyond series and films. In recent years, Netflix has been refocusing its video game division, closing or restructuring some internal studios and investing in titles with greater potential for mass appeal. The collaboration with FIFA fits perfectly into this strategy.
The launch window is set for the summer of 2026. just before the start of the FIFA World Cupwhich will be held in Mexico, the United States, and Canada starting June 11. The timing is not accidental: the platform seeks to capitalize on the tournament's media momentum to make the game one of the year's biggest draws.
Delphi Interactive, the studio behind the project
Leading the development is Delphi InteractiveA California-based studio that, despite its relative youth, has set ambitious goals. Founded in 2020, the team has presented itself to the world as a company focused on building “AAA games based on the most desired entertainment franchises on the planet.”
Until now, Delphi had primarily worked as support studio and co-editor in high-profile projects, such as IO Interactive's 007: First Light. The game with FIFA and Netflix will therefore be their first major football title, which has sparked some curiosity in the industry to see what they are capable of in such a competitive genre.
Casper Daugaard, founder and CEO of Delphi Interactive, has explained that his goal is to create “the most fun, accessible and global football game ever created”The company insists that anyone, anywhere, should be able to pick up the game and immediately feel the "magic of football," without needing to master complex controls or invest hours in learning advanced systems.
Along the same lines, Delphi's president, Andy Kleinman, has emphasized that the studio is building, in collaboration with FIFA and Netflix, a title “worthy of the king of sports”designed so that both casual players and more regular fans can enjoy it almost instantly.
How it will be played: mobile as a controller and a focus on accessibility
One of the key points of the proposal is its focus on accessibility and the use of the mobile phone as a remote controlNetflix has confirmed that the game will be playable on certain TVs compatible with Netflix Games, while the smartphone will act as the main controller, which fits with the platform's recent strategy of using the mobile phone as a gaming interface.
Furthermore, it has been made clear that It will also be possible to play directly from your mobile device.This opens the door for users without a compatible television, but who do have a smartphone, to still participate in the matches. The concept is reminiscent of other mobile football games, although the main draw here is the use of the official FIFA license and integration with the Netflix ecosystem.
The game design has been described as “Easy to learn, exciting to master”A classic formula that, in this case, aims for very simple controls, possibly based on gestures or a few virtual buttons. The idea is to lower the barrier to entry as much as possible so that anyone can play a match without complications, whether from their living room or on the go.
Regarding game modes, the presence of single-player and online multiplayer gamesUsers will be able to face artificial intelligence or compete in sports with friends and other players over the Internet, something that is key to maintaining interest in a title of this type in the medium and long term.
FIFA and Netflix's vision: "a new era of digital football"
The official discourse from both FIFA and Netflix underlines the strategic nature of this alliance. Gianni Infantino has described the project as the beginning of “a new era in digital football"and a "great historic step" for the organization, insisting that the collaboration aims to reach billions of fans of all ages around the world.
For FIFA, the key lies in redefining the concept of simulation gamesMoving away from the annual, full-price console release model and towards an integrated experience within a global subscription service, EA Sports FC and previous FIFA games have enjoyed a massive presence in Europe. This move is interpreted as an attempt to regain ground with a different, lighter approach, but one with significant potential for widespread appeal.
From Netflix, Alain Tascan, head of Netflix GamesThe company has described the 2026 FIFA World Cup as “the cultural event of 2026” and explained that this game will bring football “directly into users’ living rooms.” The company insists it wants to “return to the roots of football” by offering something that “everyone can play with just the touch of a button.”
This agreement comes at a time of transformation for Netflix's video game division, which has reduced internal development and closed some studios while seeking projects with greater visibility among the general public. The FIFA brand, with its media weight in Spain and the rest of Europe, fits perfectly into this repositioning towards titles with strong popular appeal.
Although no official gameplay images have been released yet, nor have the specific licensing system been detailed, everything suggests that the game will take advantage of the FIFA World Cup 2026 as the central focus, with modes and content designed to follow the tournament and recreate its atmosphere both at a competitive and celebratory level.
The joint announcement from FIFA, Netflix, and Delphi Interactive paints a picture of a future where digital football is abandoning, at least in part, the exclusive domain of consoles and PCs to establish itself on streaming platforms and mobile devices. With a reinvented football simulator, accessible and available at no extra cost to subscribers, the federation is attempting to regain prominence in the face of... EA Sports F.C.Meanwhile, Netflix is reinforcing its commitment to gaming as a natural complement to its audiovisual offering.