WORLD CUP 2026: WILL NETFLIX’S FIFA GAME CHANGE DIGITAL FOOTBALL FOREVER
FIFA returns: Discover how the new Netflix partnership and Delphi Interactive aim to "redefine" football simulation for 2026.
FIFA games are coming back in 2026 for the World Cup. The first game after the split with EA will be on Netflix.
After 30 years with EA Sports, we knew FIFA games weren't gone for good. Now, the sports group has a new partner for the World Cup next summer.
Netflix is working with FIFA on a new football game for next year's FIFA World Cup. Should EA Sports FC be worried?
When EA stopped using the FIFA license and changed its football game to EA Sports FC, people wondered if there would be any more official FIFA games.
FIFA said it would make new video games, but so far, there's only been FIFA Heroes, a fun arcade game with mascots, from ENVER in New York.
That's not really competition for EA Sports FC. Now, FIFA has made another surprise deal, this time with Netflix Games, for what they call a 'new FIFA football simulation game.'
There aren't many details, but it will only be on Netflix Games around the time of the FIFA World Cup 2026, which is in the US, Canada, and Mexico.
If you're expecting a game as good as EA Sports FC, don't get your hopes up too high. Like other Netflix Games, you'll play it through the streaming service, using your phone as a controller.
Netflix says it will be easy to learn, fun to play well, and good for anyone to just jump in. You can play alone or with friends online.
Delphi Interactive is making the game. They're known for working with IO Interactive on the next 007 game. Last year, Variety said that Delphi hired Mikkel Weider, who used to be the CEO of Nordisk Games, to help them become a big player in gaming.
Casper Daugaard, the founder and CEO of Delphi Interactive, said that football is the biggest thing in the world. He added that as FIFA fans, they are excited about the next generation and changing the future of the game and making the most fun, easy, and global football game ever.
FIFA's president, Gianni Infantino, said they are thrilled to be working with Netflix Games and Delphi Interactive before the FIFA World Cup 2026.
This partnership is a big step in FIFA's plan to try new things in football gaming, reach football fans of all ages everywhere, and change what simulation games usually mean. He added that the game marks the beginning of digital football. It will be free for Netflix members and is a great historical step for FIFA.
Given what Netflix has done in gaming so far, it's hard to know what to expect from a partnership with FIFA. The only sports game on Netflix Games right now is Football Manager 2024 Mobile. Other games include World of Goo and GTA: San Andreas, so don't expect anything amazing.
This comes after Netflix tried to buy Warner Bros., which owns game studios that made games like Hogwarts Legacy and Mortal Kombat. Although the gaming part is not the most important.
MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES TRADE JAREN JACKSON JR. TO UTAH JAZZ IN 8-PLAYER BLOCKBUSTER
The Memphis Grizzlies have traded Jaren Jackson Jr. to the Utah Jazz, creating a record $28.8 million trade exception for 2026.
The Memphis Grizzlies turned heads on Tuesday, pulling off a blockbuster trade that sent two-time All-Star and former Defensive Player of the Year Jaren Jackson Jr to the Utah Jazz. Along with Jackson, the Grizzlies shipped out Vince Williams Jr, John Konchar, and Jock Landale. Coming back their way: Walter Clayton Jr, Kyle Anderson, Georges Niang, and, maybe the most important part, three future first-round picks.
And honestly, it feels like Memphis isn’t done stirring the pot. Inside the organisation, they see Zach Edey and Cedric Coward as the future. Both went late in the lottery in the past two drafts, and the Grizzlies landed some value in the second round this year, too, grabbing Jaylen Wells and Cam Spencer.
All this movement means Ja Morant’s future in Memphis suddenly looks shaky. He’s been the face of the franchise since they took him No. 2 overall back in 2019. When he’s healthy, he’s electric—no question. But injuries and off-court drama have slowed him down, and now, with the trade deadline closing in, the Grizzlies are openly shopping him. Teams around the league are watching.
There’s another wrinkle here: by dealing Jackson, Memphis created a massive trade exception—$28.8 million, the biggest in NBA history, according to ESPN’s Bobby Marks and Shams Charania. It’s a huge chess piece. With that exception, the Grizzlies can absorb big, ugly contracts from other teams in exchange for more draft picks. Think of what the Thunder did a few years back—stockpiling picks by taking on bad deals until they rebuilt into a contender.
Now, you’ve probably heard Giannis Antetokounmpo’s name floating around in trade rumours. He hasn’t officially asked out of Milwaukee, but everyone in the league expects something to happen soon. Teams like the Timberwolves and Knicks are circling. The Grizzlies? They’re not likely to chase Giannis directly. But with that trade exception, they could play a big role as a third team—taking on salary dumps or unwanted contracts, collecting more picks, and helping another franchise pull off the Giannis blockbuster. Memphis just put itself squarely in the middle of the NBA’s hottest rumour.
KLINT KUBIAK SNUBS NFL RIVALS TO LEAD RAIDERS’ NEW ERA UNDER TOM BRADY
The Las Vegas Raiders are zeroing in on Seahawks OC Klint Kubiak as their next head coach, with Tom Brady leading the search.
The Las Vegas Raiders are in the middle of a huge shakeup right now. Klint Kubiak, the offensive coordinator for the Seattle Seahawks, is set to become their new head coach—and honestly, he’s nothing like Pete Carroll.
Kubiak’s still in his 30s, calling plays on offence, while Carroll just wrapped up last season as the NFL’s oldest head coach. The Raiders had their eyes on Ben Johnson previous year, but when he decided to take the Bears job, they turned to Carroll instead.
This time, Las Vegas seemed to have that same level of interest in Kubiak, but they had to wait things out because Seattle was still in the playoffs. Tom Brady, who’s a minority owner with the Raiders, clearly played a big part in picking the new coach.
Since nothing’s official until after the Super Bowl, Brady can’t come right out and talk about Kubiak joining the team. Still, he didn’t hold back when it came to sharing what he liked about the guy.
“Klint’s played to his team’s strengths. Last week, he did a ton of good things against a really strong Rams defence,” Brady said on the “Let’s Go!” podcast. “That’s what it took for them to win. The Rams are a tough team. That game in Seattle could’ve gone either way... Seattle really had to play a complete game in all three phases to pull it out, and they’ll need to do the same this weekend in Santa Clara.”
Brady also talked about Fernando Mendoza.
Another big reason the Raiders’ coaching job is so appealing? They’ve got the No. 1 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. Everyone expects them to grab Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza.
Brady doesn’t have to be secretive about it—nobody’s jumping ahead of them in the draft. He was pretty open about how much he likes Mendoza.
“What do I value most? When I see him, he’s always talking up his teammates. He wins the Heisman, and he’s giving credit to everyone else,” Brady said. “That’s the kind of attitude you want in a leader.”
Kubiak focused on the Super Bowl, not the job switch.
Kubiak’s career is about to take off, but right now, he’s locked in on trying to win his first Super Bowl. So, he isn’t ready to talk about the Raiders just yet.
“I’m coaching the Seahawks in the Super Bowl, and that’s all I’m thinking about,” Kubiak told reporters on Monday. “I’m just excited for this week and this game.”
Not everyone in Seattle is thrilled to see Kubiak go. Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold had nothing but praise after working with him this year.
“He was unbelievable,” Darnold said Monday. “The stuff I picked up from Klint—just with schemes, and then learning from him as a coach and a person—the grit. He’s up before the sun, gets to the facility at 4 or 4:30, and leaves later than anyone. The guy just grinds. He loves football, and he’s always straight with his players. I know I really appreciated that, and so did the rest of the guys.”