As the 2026 FIFA World Cup approaches, interest in football is rising again, not only among fans of the world's most popular sport but also among gamers. This year's World Cup will be special as it brings the largest tournament in history, with as many as 48 teams competing for the title of world champion. While millions of fans await the big derbies, dramatic finishes, and new football surprises, many will pass the time between matches with virtual football. Although the market for football video games is not large today and mainly revolves around a few well-known titles and ambitious new projects, options for football lovers are still plentiful. Below, we present an overview of titles you can play between World Cup matches.
EA Sports FC 26
When it comes to football video games, it's hard not to start with EA Sports FC. Formerly known as the FIFA series, EA's football franchise has dominated the market for years thanks to a large number of licenses, realistic match representation, and numerous gameplay modes like Career Mode and Ultimate Team. Although the name has changed after the split from FIFA, the concept remains familiar to millions of players.
To further capitalize on the football euphoria surrounding the 2026 World Cup, EA Sports FC 26 will also feature a special World Cup gameplay mode called The World’s Game, which is expected to be available from June 4, just before the tournament begins. This means players will be able to experience the championship atmosphere beyond the actual matches, leading teams through a virtual path to the title of world champion.
For those who want to play on the go, there is also EA Sports FC Mobile, a mobile version of the game tailored for smartphones, which offers faster matches, online content, and the ability to build your own team.
eFootball
For players looking for an alternative to EA Sports FC, there is eFootball, a football game from Japanese Konami that evolved from the once-popular Pro Evolution Soccer (PES) series. Unlike the classic annual release model, eFootball operates as a free-to-play title that is regularly updated with new content, rosters, and events.
Although it has been struggling against EA Sports FC in recent years, eFootball still has a large player base thanks to the fact that it is completely free to play. It is particularly appealing to those who want to jump into a few matches without any extra cost or try a different gameplay feel.
As the 2026 World Cup approaches, eFootball is gaining further importance due to the partnership between Konami and FIFA. Namely, eFootball is the official title for the FIFAe World Cup 2026, an esports competition where players represent their countries on consoles and mobile devices.
A significant advantage of eFootball is its mobile availability; the same game is accessible on smartphones, where it has been among the more popular football titles for years.
UFL
While the football video game market has been dominated by EA Sports FC and eFootball for years, UFL is trying to become a new name that could seriously shake up the existing order. It is a free-to-play football game from Strikerz Inc., which places a strong emphasis on online competition and competitive experience, with the idea that success depends more on player skill than on additional spending.
Unlike established competitors, UFL is still building its player community, but the development studio has been strongly expanding the project in recent months. After its release on consoles and PC, a mobile version of the game is now available, offering customized controls, shorter matches, and a faster gaming experience on smartphones.
The mobile UFL allows players to create their own club, collect and upgrade footballers, and participate in online matches and special events. Through a partnership with FIFPRO, real footballers appear in the game, while ambassadors of the project include stars like Federico Valverde and Raphinha.
Football Manager 2026
Unlike EA Sports FC, eFootball, or UFL, Football Manager does not put players directly on the field but moves them to the bench and the office of the sports director. Instead of dribbling and goals, the focus is on tactics, transfers, scouting, and managing a club or national team over multiple seasons. For this reason, it is one of the most popular football management simulations among fans of detailed strategy.
As the 2026 World Cup approaches, Football Manager 26 will also receive one of the biggest updates in the history of the series, which is the official FIFA license for the World Cup. Through a revamped system of international team management, players will be able to take over national teams and try to lead them to the title of world champion, complete with official tournament branding, broadcast graphics, licensed jerseys, and other elements related to the FIFA World Cup 2026.
For those who want to play on the go, there is also a mobile version, Football Manager Mobile, tailored for play on smartphones. It offers a simplified experience of managing a club or national team, while still retaining the key elements that the series is known for, such as transfers, tactics, and team development.
FIFA Rivals
Although no longer associated with EA's series, FIFA is still trying to remain present in the world of video games through new projects. One of them is FIFA Rivals, an officially licensed mobile football game developed in collaboration with Mythical Games, which aims to combine fast, arcade-style gameplay with elements of managing your own team.
Unlike traditional football simulations, FIFA Rivals focuses on shorter matches, quick PvP games, and assembling your own team through collecting and upgrading footballers. Players can build teams from well-known stars, participate in online challenges, and compete against other users in real-time.
As the 2026 World Cup approaches, FIFA Rivals is expected to receive tournament-related content, including special events and FIFA World Cup 2026 content.
GOALS
Among the football games that are just coming to the market is GOALS, a free-to-play competitive football game from Goals AB studio, which is set to officially release on June 4, 2026. The project has been generating interest in the gaming community for some time as it attempts to offer an alternative to dominant titles like EA Sports FC and eFootball, but with a slightly different approach.
Unlike traditional football simulations that emphasize realism and the television presentation of matches, GOALS offers a more stylized and arcade-like approach to football, with a strong focus on competitive play and esports elements.
Given that the game arrives just before the start of the 2026 World Cup, it remains to be seen whether GOALS can attract players looking for a fresh alternative to well-known football titles and further expand the relatively small market for virtual football.
