About FIFA World Cup: Launch Edition
FIFA World Cup: Launch Edition is a football (soccer) video game available exclusively on Netflix Games since June 11, 2026—the very day the 2026 FIFA World Cup kicked off. After parting ways with Electronic Arts in 2022—a move that left many fans without news of the legendary license—this marks a significant return for the FIFA franchise to the world of video games. This time, Netflix is taking the ball and offering an experience designed to be accessible to everyone, whether you’re a seasoned gamer or a football fan who’s never touched a controller in your life.
The game deliberately sets itself apart from typical football simulations by focusing on something simpler, more festive, and more shareable. It’s designed to be played with family or friends on game night, from the comfort of your couch, without any fuss. It’s this philosophy that makes it a unique offering in an already crowded football game market. It doesn’t try to compete at all costs with the big productions in the genre; instead, it carves out its own path: one of immediate excitement, simplicity, and shared enjoyment centered around the most-watched sporting event on the planet.
Why Should I Play FIFA World Cup: Launch Edition?
The concept behind FIFA World Cup: Launch Edition is designed to remove all barriers between the player and the game's fun. No controller needed, no pro-level reflexes required: your smartphone acts as the controller, and your TV becomes the stadium. It’s simple: launch the game on your TV, scan a QR code with your phone, and in just a few seconds, you can already kick and pass the ball with a simple swipe of your finger on the screen. The idea is that even someone who has never played a video game in their life can experience the thrill of scoring the winning goal.
The game's content is directly tied to the sporting event. You can play as any of the 48 teams that have qualified for the 2026 World Cup, compete in the 16 real-life stadiums hosting the tournament, and take control of 1,248 players featured in the actual tournament. You can play solo or with up to four players simultaneously, making it the perfect way to watch the tournament with friends and keep the excitement going between matches. The experience is designed to be fast-paced, smooth, and accessible, with an almost instant learning curve that requires no prior training.
Netflix is presenting this version as a “Launch Edition,” a sort of starting point. The idea is that the game will evolve over time, with new content being added gradually. Therefore, it is deliberately pared down, focusing on the essentials: capturing the magic of World Cup football without unnecessary complexity.
Is FIFA World Cup: Launch Edition Free-to-play?
This is one of the game’s most appealing features: FIFA World Cup: Launch Edition is included in your Netflix subscription at no extra cost. If you’re already a Netflix subscriber—regardless of your plan—you can play it without spending more. No microtransactions, no ads, no season passes to buy: this is one of the features Netflix highlights across its entire catalog of mobile and TV games.
Where Can I Download FIFA World Cup: Launch Edition?
FIFA World Cup: Launch Edition works a little differently from traditional video games. The game plays on your smart TV, and your smartphone serves as both the remote control and the gamepad. In practice, you’ll need two things: a TV that supports the Netflix app and a phone to scan the QR code and control the action.
It’s important to note that FIFA World Cup: Launch Edition is an exclusive Netflix Games title. This means it’s not available outside the Netflix platform—not on gaming consoles like PlayStation or Xbox, not on PC via third-party platforms, and not as a standalone app available for free download. You must access it through the Netflix interface by navigating to the “Games” tab on your TV.
Netflix Games on TV is already available in about twenty countries, including France, Belgium, Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, Spain, Italy, and others.
What Games Should I Play If I Enjoy FIFA World Cup: Launch Edition?
EA Sports FC 26 is the gold standard for football simulation on PC and consoles. Developed by Electronic Arts, it is the direct successor to the FIFA series as we’ve known it for decades, simply renamed following the split with the international federation. EA Sports FC 26 runs on Windows (PC) and features a massive amount of content: hundreds of clubs, leagues, competitions, and an Ultimate Team mode that keeps millions of players engaged worldwide. A recent update even introduced an international tournament mode with 48 national teams, new authentic stadiums, and themed challenges.
eFootball free-to-play is Konami’s offering for virtual football fans who don’t want to spend any money. Formerly known as PES, eFootball has been completely redesigned as a free-to-play title accessible on PC via Steam, as well as on PlayStation, Xbox, and iOS and Android mobile devices. The game offers online matches against other players from around the world, the ability to build a dream team with soccer stars from past and present, and a training mode for beginners. While the base game is free, it offers optional in-game purchases to acquire special players or cosmetic content.
REMATCH is quite different from the previous two games, and that’s precisely what makes it interesting. Developed by the French studio Sloclap, known for Sifu, REMATCH is an online multiplayer soccer game where you control a single player at a time, in a third-person view, in fast-paced, intense 5-on-5 matches. It’s less of a simulation and more of an arcade-style sports action game, closer in spirit to Rocket League or a playground game than a real TV broadcast. Available on PC via Steam for Windows 10 and Windows 11, REMATCH is a paid game that has built an enthusiastic community since its release in June 2025, thanks to its fast-paced and accessible gameplay.
