'FIFA' Video Game Finally Returning in 2026 Thanks to Netflix—But It’s Not on Consoles
Fans of the popular sports video gameFIFA may not remember the franchise's official debut. However, virtually anyone who's played the game knows that FIFA and EA Sports were synonymous, going back to 1993, when the company released its first edition of the game, FIFA International Soccer, on the Sega Mega Drive/Genesis. The series ran for 20 years before EA Sports and FIFA ultimately split, with the soccer game disappearing from the gaming world. It's left a void of sorts for fans. While EA Sports did go on to roll out the EA Sports FC series, it's still a bit strange not seeing "FIFA" in the title.
However, the return of FIFA to the gaming world is officially on the horizon, but it comes with some good news and bad news. Fans of the beloved game can thank popular streamer Netflix for the return of the soccer game, but it won't be how Xbox and PlayStation users hoped.
The Netflix Deal: FIFA's Unique Comeback Set for 2026
It won't be an EA Sports reunion with the popular FIFA brand, obviously. Instead, it's Netflix, which is teaming up with Delphi Interactive, who'll bring one of the biggest names in sports video games back to life. The news was highlighted by GameSpot, which explains that there's no official name yet and, most importantly, that it's slated to hit iOS and Android devices.
Here are a few specific details about FIFA's gaming return:
- The new FIFAsoccer game is currently untitled.
- It will be available to stream via the Netflix app.
- The game will be on iOS and Android devices, not standard consoles.
- FIFA's new game on Netflix is expected to be released sometime in 2026.
- The official announcement calls it a "newly reimagined FIFA football simulation game."
FIFA president Gianni Infantino stated in the official announcement that it will redefine "the pure notion of simulation games."
"This major collaboration is a key milestone in FIFA’s commitment to innovation in the football gaming space, which aspires to reach billions of football fans of all ages everywhere in the world and will be redefining the pure notion of simulation games," FIFA Infantino said in the announcement. "Our reimagined game truly marks the beginning of a new era of digital football."
FIFA 26 Not on Consoles: What Gamers Can Expect From the Mobile App
While it likely feels like a punch to the gut for avid Xbox and PlayStation gamers who have played the FIFA franchise for years, it'll be interesting to see how the return of the popular game title fares in a different landscape. Although it won't be available on gaming consoles, the good news is that it will be available to anyone with a Netflix subscription.
Although it's a significant change to see the FIFA series (in any form) make the move to iOS and Android devices, this won't be the first video game addition to Netflix. The streaming giant added Grand Theft Auto and WWE 2K to its service in recent months. But the new soccer game will mark a first, as Netflix will be part of building it alongside Delphi Interactive, essentially from the ground up.
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