Credit: Netflix

Netflix. FIFA. Video games. Those three words probably weren’t sitting together on your 2026 bingo card, were they? And yet, here we are. Starting June 11th, Netflix is launching FIFA World Cup: Launch Edition, a new football game that will live directly inside Netflix. But that’s not even the interesting part.

The interesting part is that the game won’t stay the same for very long. Every day during the FIFA Men’s World Cup, Netflix plans to update it based on what is actually happening in the tournament, according to real matches and real results. Basically, if something big happens on the pitch, chances are players will see it reflected in the game.

So yeah, this isn’t Netflix throwing a football game into its library and calling it a day. This time, it is trying something much bigger.

So, what exactly is ‘FIFA World Cup: Launch Edition?‘

Think of it as a football simulation game designed for people who love football but may not spend every weekend understanding the complicated gaming controls. The title has been developed by Delphi Interactive alongside Netflix Games and FIFA. According to Netflix, the focus is on accessibility.

The company describes it as a streamlined football experience that’s easy to pick up whether you are a hardcore football fan or someone who simply got caught up in World Cup fever.

Players will be able to choose from all 48 teams participating in the tournament. Every one of the competition’s 16 stadiums will be available as well, along with all 1,248 players competing in the World Cup. In short, if your national team is there, you can take control of them.

How do you even play it?

Ooh, this is the most interesting part. So instead of asking players to buy a controller, Netflix wants them to use something they already have: their phones. The game launches through Netflix on a television, and users simply scan a QR code with their smartphone. The phone then becomes the controller.

That’s it. That’s basically it! Netflix is clearly betting that removing as many barriers as possible will encourage more people to try gaming, especially subscribers who don’t normally consider themselves gamers. It’s a pretty clever approach, if you think about it.

And the best part is that the game changes as the World Cup happens. This is the feature Netflix keeps emphasising. Throughout the tournament, FIFA World Cup: Launch Edition will receive daily updates tied to real-world events. New challenges, new objectives, and even additional features will be introduced as the competition progresses.

The goal appears to be creating a connection between watching the World Cup and playing it. Imagine watching a dramatic goal one evening and then jumping into a challenge inspired by that result the next day!

Another amazing update that might give you the thrill is that there are no extra purchases. Like every other Netflix game, FIFA World Cup: Launch Edition is included with a Netflix subscription.

Players can earn in-game currency by completing challenges and playing regularly. Those rewards can then be used to improve player attributes within the game. Netflix also says the title won’t disappear once the Men’s World Cup ends. The company plans to continue expanding it, with future updates tied to next year’s Women’s World Cup.

We are excited, are you?