FIFA is breaking new ground with its first soccer simulation title since ending its three-decade partnership with Electronic Arts, and it’s doing so in an unexpected way — by aligning with Netflix. The streaming giant announced that the world’s most recognizable soccer brand will launch a new “reimagined football simulation game” exclusively for Netflix Games subscribers. The game, developed and published by Delphi Interactive, is set to debut in 2026, coinciding with the FIFA Men’s World Cup.
A New Era for FIFA’s Digital Ambitions
The announcement marks a major shift for FIFA, which has spent years searching for a new digital identity after its split from EA. Together, FIFA and EA defined the standard for sports gaming, producing the annual FIFA series that became one of the best-selling franchises in history. However, after the two organizations parted ways in 2022 due to licensing disagreements, EA rebranded its series as *EA Sports FC*, while FIFA began seeking new partners to carry its brand into the gaming future.
Efforts to develop a true FIFA-branded simulation successor have been slow to materialize. The organization previously engaged discussions with major developers, media companies, and financial backers to create a new premier soccer sim but faced difficulties competing with EA’s established technology, game engine, and fanbase. Instead, FIFA’s post-EA ventures leaned toward smaller, arcade-inspired projects like *FIFA Rivals* and *FIFA Heroes* — games that focused more on accessibility than simulation authenticity. This Netflix collaboration signals an attempt to bridge the gap between serious soccer gaming and mainstream digital entertainment.
Netflix Steps Onto the Pitch
For Netflix, securing the FIFA game represents a landmark step in its growing interactive entertainment strategy. With hundreds of millions of global subscribers, Netflix is uniquely positioned to integrate gaming directly into the streaming experience, bypassing traditional game distribution platforms altogether. The forthcoming FIFA title will be available at no additional cost to Netflix subscribers, reinforcing the company’s strategy of bundling multiple forms of entertainment under one subscription service.
Delphi Interactive, the studio behind the project, describes the game as “a simulation anyone, anywhere can enjoy.” According to Delphi Interactive CEO Caspar Daugaard, the goal is to make soccer gaming as universal as the sport itself. “We want players to pick up the game and instantly feel the magic of football,” Daugaard explained. This suggests a design philosophy emphasizing accessibility, potentially trading complex mechanics for fast-paced, intuitive gameplay that mirrors the cadence of mobile-style sports experiences rather than ultra-detailed simulations like *EA Sports FC 25*.
A Different Type of Soccer Simulation
While Netflix has branded the new title as a “simulation game,” industry observers note that it will likely be more casual than EA’s long-running franchise. The game will reportedly allow players to use their smartphones as controllers, enabling easy integration with smart TVs and mobile devices — a move that fits seamlessly within Netflix’s broader gaming philosophy. By reducing hardware barriers, the company can invite players who might never buy a console or gaming PC to experience FIFA’s brand of football digitally.
This approach marks a deliberate pivot from realism toward accessibility. Where EA’s *FIFA* games emphasized career modes, Ultimate Team management, and complex controls, Netflix’s version is positioned as a universally approachable entry point. The aim appears to be introducing football to a global audience through a casual, social lens rather than catering to simulation purists. The trade-off could mean fewer intricate gameplay systems but a potentially broader player base spanning casual viewers, families, and non-gamers.
Delphi Interactive’s Rise in the Game Industry
For Delphi Interactive, taking on the FIFA license just as Netflix expands its gaming wing is a major milestone. The studio has quickly built a reputation for stylish, narrative-driven experiences. Its debut project, *007 First Light* — based on IO Interactive’s James Bond universe — brought cinematic storytelling and player choice to the forefront. Transitioning from espionage to football may seem drastic, but Delphi’s experience with lightweight yet immersive mechanics positions it well to handle Netflix’s direction toward social and easily accessible interactive content.
In fact, this alignment fits Netflix’s evolving gaming priorities perfectly. Over the past two years, the company has shifted focus away from ambitious, high-cost productions to smaller, community-oriented games that complement its streaming portfolio. Many of its in-house studios — including those developing standalone mobile titles or complex adaptations — were either shuttered or sold back to their founders in 2025. What remains is a leaner strategy centered on party games, streaming-friendly interactivity, and franchise-based tie-ins. FIFA’s broad global recognition makes it an ideal fit for this streamlined model.
Netflix’s New Game Plan
This isn’t Netflix’s first experiment with controller-based interactivity. The company previously introduced party-oriented experiences such as *Heads Up!* and *Netflix Game Night* for smart TVs, allowing users to interact via smartphone controllers. The upcoming FIFA project builds on that foundation, possibly introducing features like cooperative local play, cloud-based tournaments, and simplified team management suitable for group entertainment.
The partnership also grants Netflix access to one of the most globally recognizable brands in entertainment. FIFA’s reach extends across demographics and continents, offering Netflix a powerful tool to attract non-subscribers and enhance its user retention. Given the platform’s recent challenges with subscriber growth, an accessible global sports game may prove a valuable addition to its portfolio alongside its film and television content.
Redefining Digital Sports Entertainment
Although details remain limited, the decision to combine FIFA’s brand legacy with Netflix’s all-access model reflects broader trends reshaping gaming and media. As subscription services blur the lines between passive and interactive content, traditional sports simulations may evolve into more customizable, socially integrated experiences. With smartphone controllers reducing entry barriers, FIFA’s new venture could reach millions who have never played a soccer video game before.
For long-time fans, this iteration may not replace the depth or realism of EA’s *FIFA* series, but for Netflix, the goal is different: to make football gaming universally available, casual, and immersive for its vast subscriber base.
Delphi Interactive’s challenge is to preserve enough of FIFA’s spirit — its global excitement, competitive energy, and emotional moments — while crafting a design that fits within the boundaries of streaming technology. If successful, this could mark the beginning of a new era where global sports icons live not on consoles, but on streaming platforms accessible to anyone with an internet connection.
FIFA’s Netflix-exclusive title arrives in 2026, just in time to capture the global anticipation for the World Cup. Whether it becomes a revolution in interactive sports entertainment or merely another experiment in the evolving world of digital gaming, it represents a fascinating new chapter for both the FIFA brand and Netflix’s growing ambitions in gaming.
