Check out the best soccer series and movies to get in the mood for the 2026 World Cup.
A 2026 World Cup It's a good time to revisit memorable stories both on and off the field. That's why we've gathered... best football series and movies for those who want to get into the tournament spirit and choose what to watch during the competition. See below:
SERIES
Ted lasso
90% on Rotten Tomatoes | 8,7 on IMDb
Ted lasso is a series of comedy e drama starring Jason Sudeikis, Hannah Waddingham e Brett goldsteinIn the story, an American football coach is hired to manage a football club in England. Despite having no experience in the sport, he wins over players and fans with his optimism, charisma, and unconventional leadership style.
Ted lasso It is available at Apple TV e Prime Video.
Beckham
88% on Rotten Tomatoes | 8,1 on IMDb
Beckham it is a Serie documentary starring David Beckham, Victoria Beckham e Gary nevilleThe production follows David Beckham's journey from the beginning of his football career to becoming one of the most famous figures in the sport, exploring memorable moments on and off the field, as well as the personal and professional challenges he has faced over the years.
Beckham It is available at Netflix.
Captains of the World
8,2 on IMDB
Captains of the World It's a documentary series starring Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappé e Cristiano RonaldoThe production follows the journey of the captains and main stars of the national teams that competed in the 2022 World Cup, showing the challenges, behind-the-scenes events, and decisive moments that marked the quest for the most important title in world football.
Captains of the World It is available at Netflix.
Ronaldinho Gaucho
7,2 on IMDB
Ronaldinho Gaucho It's a miniseries. documentary A three-episode series that revisits the career of one of the greatest idols in world football. The production delves into the player's rise from his first steps in football to the peak of his career, revealing behind-the-scenes aspects of his personal and professional life with access to previously unseen archival materials and testimonials from major figures in the sport.
Ronaldinho Gaucho It is available at Netflix.
The English Game
53% on Rotten Tomatoes | 7,6 on IMDb
The English Game is an historical drama starring Edward Holcroft, Kevin Guthrie e Charlotte hopeThe series portrays the origins of modern football in 19th-century England, following players from different social classes as the sport undergoes transformations that would help shape it into a global passion.
The English Game It is available at Netflix.
Neymar: The Perfect Chaos
6,6 on IMDB
Neymar: The Perfect Chaos it is a Serie sports documentary starring Neymar Jr., Lionel Messi e Kylian MbappéThe production portrays the career and personal life of the star player, exploring his rise in football, the moments of pressure with the Brazilian National Team and the clubs he played for, as well as the challenges and controversies that marked his journey on and off the field.
Neymar: The Perfect Chaos It is available at Netflix.
All or Nothing: Arsenal
80% on Rotten Tomatoes | 8,2 on IMDb
All or Nothing: Arsenal it is a Serie sports documentary starring Mikel Arteta, players and members of the coaching staff of Arsenal Football ClubThroughout the episodes, we can follow the behind-the-scenes of the 2021–22 season of the English club, showing the team's daily life, the challenges faced on and off the field, and the rebuilding of the team under Arteta's leadership.
All or Nothing: Arsenal It is available at Prime Video.
Brazil 70: The Saga of the Tri
7,5 on IMDB
Brazil 70: The Saga of the Tri It is a miniseries that portrays the Brazilian national team's campaign towards their third World Cup title in 1970 in Mexico. The production depicts the Brazilian team's preparation for the 1970 World Cup, showing the behind-the-scenes of the team led by Pelé during the transition between coaches João Saldanha and Mário Zagallo.
Brazil 70: The Saga of the Tri It is available at Netflix.
Maradona in Sinaloa
7,2 on IMDB
Em Maradona in Sinaloa, series sports documentary produced by Netflix Starring the former Argentinian player, we follow his time as coach of Dorados de Sinaloa in Mexico. The production shows his attempt to rebuild his coaching career while facing personal challenges, media pressure, and the expectations surrounding his presence at the club.
Maradona in Sinaloa It is available at Netflix.
Várzea: Where Football is Born
Várzea: Where Football is Born This series explores the world of amateur football in São Paulo, highlighting its importance to Brazilian culture and the development of great talents. With behind-the-scenes access to the Super Copa Pioneer, the series follows rivalries between neighborhood teams, stories of overcoming adversity, and the impact of the sport on communities. Throughout the episodes, players like Cafu and Raphinha recall their origins and show how amateur football fields were fundamental to their journey towards professional football.
Várzea: Where Football is Born It is available at Netflix.
MOVIES
Goal! The Impossible Dream
43% on Rotten Tomatoes | 6,7 on IMDb
Goal! The Impossible Dream is an sports drama starring Kuno Becker, Alessandro Nivola e Marcel IuresThe film also features appearances by players such as David Beckham, Zinedine Zidane, Raúl, Patrick Kluivert, Milan Baroš, Jamie Carragher e Alan ShearerIn the story, a young Mexican boy with a talent for soccer gets the chance to fulfill his dream when he is discovered by a scout and goes to play in England.
Goal! The Impossible Dream It is available at YouTube.
Pele
84% on Rotten Tomatoes | 7,0 on IMDb
Pele is a documentary starring Pelé, Zagallo e RivelinoIn this story, we follow the journey of the legendary Brazilian player Edson Arantes do Nascimento, Pelé, from his rise as a promising young talent to becoming one of the greatest idols in the history of football, also exploring the context of the Brazilian National Team's journey to the 1970 World Cup title and its importance to the sport and the country.
Pele It is available at Netflix.
Escape to Victory
6,7 on IMDB
Escape to Victory it's a movie drama e sport directed by John Huston and starring Sylvester Stallone, Michael Caine e Max von SydowIn the story, during World War II, Allied prisoners of war are challenged to play a football match against a German team in a game that goes far beyond sport, becoming a symbol of resistance and hope amidst the conflict.
Escape to Victory It is available at Prime Video.
The Damned United
92% on Rotten Tomatoes | 7,5 on IMDb
The Damned United it's a movie sports drama directed by Tom Hooper and starring Michael Sheen, Timothy Spall e colm meaneyThe plot follows manager Brian Clough during his turbulent spell at Leeds United, exploring his conflicts with players, management, and the legacy of the previous manager as he attempts to impose his own style on the English club.
The Damned United It is available at YouTube and Prime Video.
Pass Line
77% on Rotten Tomatoes | 7,1 on IMDb
Football also has a place in national cinema, and one of the best-known examples is... Pass Line, film directed by Walter salles, The In Between e Central do Brasil, beside Daniela ThomasThe film follows the life of a family from the outskirts of São Paulo, where four brothers try to find different paths to overcome life's difficulties, with one of them seeking to establish himself as a professional soccer player amidst social and personal challenges.
Pass Line It is available at Netflix, Prime Video e YouTube.
Tetra: Believe Again
6,7 on IMDB
Tetra: Believe Again It tells the whole story of the Brazilian National Team's 1994 World Cup victory, using never-before-seen behind-the-scenes footage and testimonials from the protagonists themselves. The narrative shows how a team, doubted by the press and fans, managed to turn things around through collective work, under the leadership of Dunga and with decisive performances from Bebeto and Romário.
Tetra: Believe Again It is available at Netflix.
Brazil 2002: Behind the scenes of Penta
7,2 on IMDB
Brazil 2002 – Behind the Scenes of Penta This documentary takes us inside the campaign of the Brazilian national team that won the 2002 World Cup. With never-before-seen footage and accounts from the protagonists themselves, the film reveals the behind-the-scenes preparation, the camaraderie within the squad, and the moments that marked their journey to the fifth championship. Highlights include testimonials from Ronaldo, Roberto Carlos, and Ronaldinho.
Brazil 2002: Behind the scenes of Penta It is available at Netflix.
Footballers: Once Upon a Time in Football
7,3 on IMDB
Among national productions about football, Footballers: Once Upon a Time in Football It became one of the best-known titles in the genre. The film by drama e comedy was directed by Ugo Giorgetti and starring Lima Duarte, Otávio Augusto e Flavio MigliaccioThe film's story takes place in a bar frequented by former soccer players who reminisce about their careers and share curious stories and memorable moments from their sporting careers.
Footballers: Once Upon a Time in Football It is available at Of course TV+.
The Miracle of Bern
6,7 on IMDB
The Miracle of Bern is an sports drama directed by Sönke Wortmann and starring Louis Klamroth, Peter Lohmeyer e Johannes AllmayerThe film is set in post-war Germany and follows a young man who closely follows the German national team's campaign in the 1954 World Cup. In parallel, he faces difficulties in his family life and a distant relationship with his father, while the team advances towards a historic victory.
The Miracle of Bern It is available at YouTube.
Kung-Fu Football Club
89% on Rotten Tomatoes | 7,3 on IMDb
Kung-Fu Football Club stands out for mixing the sport with a dose of humor e martial artsThe work was directed by and starred by Stephen ChowIn the story, a former kung fu practitioner reunites his training brothers to form a soccer team that utilizes martial arts skills on the field, transforming the sport into a competition full of supernatural abilities and comical situations as they strive to win a major championship.
Kung-Fu Football Club It is available at Apple TV.
So, did you enjoy our list of best football series and moviesSo, tell us in the comments which of these titles you're most excited to watch. And, if you want to complete the World Cup experience, also check out our... Smart TV recommendations for the World Cup and 2026 World Cup schedule on Google Calendar.
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Text revised by Alexandre Marques in 21 / 06 / 2026.
Sources: IMDb, Rotten Tomatoes e JustWatch
