After three years of silence following one of the most acrimonious breakups in entertainment history, football’s governing body has finally found a new home. In a move that has stunned the industry, FIFA has bypassed traditional gaming giants like 2K or Sony to strike a multi-year deal with Netflix Games.
The upcoming title, set to release ahead of the 2026 World Cup, marks a radical departure from the $300-a-year "boxed copy" era of the past.
The Great Divorce: Why EA and FIFA Split
For thirty years, FIFA and Electronic Arts (EA) were inseparable. It was a partnership that defined a generation, with the FIFA series becoming the most profitable sports franchise in history. However, in 2023, the relationship hit a brick wall.
Reports suggest FIFA demanded a staggering $1 billion every four years just for the naming rights—effectively doubling the previous fee. EA, realizing they owned the licenses to the actual players, leagues, and stadiums independently, decided to walk away. They rebranded to EA Sports FC, leaving the "FIFA" name as a powerful brand without a game to call home.
The Netflix Pivot: Mobile-First and Approachable
The new FIFA game won't just be on a different shelf; it will be on a different platform entirely. Developed by Delphi Interactive—a studio also currently working on the James Bond title 007: First Light—the game is being built as a "streaming-native" experience.
Key features of the 2026 return include:
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Netflix Exclusive: Available for free to all Netflix subscribers.
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Smartphone Controllers: Players will be able to play on their smart TVs using their mobile phones as the controller.
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Accessibility Over Complexity: While EA Sports FC leans into hardcore simulation, Netflix’s FIFA is being pitched as "fast to learn and thrilling to master," aiming to capture the billions of casual fans who watch the World Cup but may not own a console.
Who is Delphi Interactive?
The choice of developer is perhaps the biggest mystery. Delphi Interactive is a California-based studio that has yet to release a full title. However, with a leadership team featuring ex-Zynga and IO Interactive veterans, they are positioning themselves as "architects of the future," claiming that legacy publishers have become "misaligned" with major IP owners.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino has doubled down on the move, stating, "Our reimagined game marks the beginning of a new era of digital football. It will redefine the pure notion of simulation games."
A Cultural Milestone for 2026
With the 2026 World Cup set to take over the US, Mexico, and Canada, the timing of this release is surgical. By integrating the game directly into the Netflix app—already installed on millions of devices worldwide—FIFA is betting that ease of access will trump the technical depth of its rivals.
Whether "Metal Fang" level intensity translates to a mobile screen remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: the battle for the virtual pitch has just entered its most unpredictable chapter yet.
Sources
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Inside FIFA: FIFA arrives on Netflix Games in time for World Cup 2026 – Official press release detailing the partnership.
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BBC News / Capital FM: Fifa video game to return after four years – Coverage of the acrimonious split with EA and the Netflix deal.
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Hypebeast: FIFA x Netflix Games Returns With 2026 World Cup Release – Analysis of the mobile-first pivot and casual fan outreach.
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Engadget: The first post-EA FIFA soccer sim will be a Netflix exclusive – Technical breakdown of the "phone-as-controller" mechanics.
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Delphi Interactive: Official Studio Portfolio – Background on the developers and their collaboration on Project 007.
