"FIFA World Cup": First FIFA game after EA split comes from Netflix
The first FIFA game since the break with EA is called "FIFA World Cup: Launch Edition" and is available on Netflix. FIFA President Infantino is full of praise.
Here "FIFA World Cup" is played on Netflix. The fact that you can hardly see the game is probably no coincidence.
(Image: Netflix)
The first official FIFA game since the split with long-time partner EA will be released exclusively on Netflix. “FIFA World Cup: Launch Edition” is set to be available for all Netflix subscribers starting June 11. A test phase has already been running in Germany and Brazil since June 4, Netflix announced.
On a test device from heise online, “FIFA World Cup” was not yet available on Friday. Instead, searching for “FIFA” on Netflix brings up the docuseries “FIFA Uncovered,” which exposes long-standing corruption within the football world governing body.
“FIFA World Cup: Launch Edition” is a game for Netflix Games, developed by the US studio Delphi Interactive, and requires no additional hardware. As is usual with Netflix Games, it is played exclusively via smartphone, which becomes a controller for the game on the TV via a QR code. Like all Netflix games, the title is included in the subscription, meaning it can be played at no extra cost and without ads. Netflix and the FIFA world governing body announced the launch details in a joint announcement.
Gianni Infantino is enthusiastic
At launch, all 48 participants of the 2026 World Cup are to be included, along with 1248 licensed players and 16 stadiums in the USA, Mexico, and Canada. Regular updates are planned during the tournament. The addition “Launch Edition” is to be taken literally: Delphi Interactive and Netflix describe the first version as a deliberately stripped-down, quickly accessible variant. More gameplay depth is to follow later. Furthermore, an expansion to consoles, PC, and mobile devices is planned.
Netflix has already released a first trailer. The video clearly attempts to distract from the exceptionally wooden gameplay with quick cuts and intrusive effects. Upon closer inspection, the video for “FIFA World Cup: Launch Edition” reveals stiff animations and simple player models. On YouTube, there are some gameplay videos that confirm this first impression. It is highly questionable whether fans of football simulations will find anything to enjoy with “FIFA World Cup: Launch Edition.”
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Nevertheless, Gianni Infantino is confident: “This major collaboration is a key milestone in FIFA’s commitment to innovation in the football gaming space,” the FIFA president reports in the statement. “This commitment aims to reach billions of football fans of all ages everywhere in the world and will redefine the notion of simulation games.” The release of the game marks the beginning of a new era and a “historic step” for FIFA. His statements stand in stark contrast to the hitherto indifferent reaction of football game fans. The audience for Netflix and FIFA apparently consists more of casual fans who want to play a quick game during halftime on their TV.
Separation from EA
FIFA and EA ended their nearly 30-year collaboration in 2022. “FIFA 23” was the last game together; since then, EA's series has been running under the name “EA Sports FC.” EA retained the licenses for leagues, clubs, and players. FIFA was left primarily with the brand name and the rights to the World Cup.
FIFA had already promised its own, full-fledged game for 2024, but it was never delivered. Instead, rumors about potential partners circulated for years, initially about the “NBA 2K” company Take-Two and most recently about Konami. The association landed its first tangible licensing deal in October 2025, when FIFA granted the license for “Football Manager 2026,” a pure management simulation where you don't play on the field yourself.
Videos by heise
Strategy comes from Netflix
The driving force behind the game is likely to be Netflix rather than FIFA. The company has been expanding its game offerings for months, focusing on simple titles that can be controlled via smartphone on the TV. So far, games have not necessarily been a revenue stream for Netflix but rather a means to retain subscribers to the service.
In addition to the Netflix title, a second, arcade-heavy football game for mobile devices called “FIFA Heroes” is set to be released in June. The release of a full-fledged simulation, which association president Gianni Infantino promised in 2022 as a competitor to EA, is still not in sight.
(dahe)
