With just one day remaining until the 2026 FIFA World Cup begins across Canada, Mexico, and the United States, football enthusiasts are gearing up for the largest tournament in history. As the event is set to dominate television schedules for over a month, fans can immerse themselves in a variety of films, dramas, and documentaries to build anticipation. Here is a curated selection of eleven notable productions to enjoy before the tournament kicks off.
Match – 1966 World Cup Final in Colour ()
David Baddiel presents a full-colour replay of England’s iconic 4-2 victory over West Germany in the 1966 World Cup final. This broadcast aims to raise awareness about Alzheimer’s disease. Geoff Hurst, who scored a hat-trick in the match, reflects on the historic game 60 years ago and pays tribute to teammates who later developed dementia.
Drama – Dear England (BBC )
Joseph Fiennes stars in James Graham’s adaptation of his award-winning play, portraying England manager Gareth Southgate’s determined effort to heal decades of disappointment for the national team. The drama features distinctive elements such as beards, waistcoats, and inflatable unicorns.
Documentary – Kevin Bridges: In Search of the Beautiful Game (BBC )
In this heartfelt travelogue, comedian Kevin Bridges explores the soul of football ahead of Scotland’s first World Cup appearance in 28 years. Traveling to Brazil and the United States, Bridges investigates whether the sport has maintained its essence.
Film – Saipan (Prime Video/BFI Player)
Steve Coogan stars in this dramatization of the notorious 2002 World Cup confrontation between Republic of Ireland manager Mick McCarthy and captain Roy Keane, played by Éanna Hardwicke. The film captures the tension with memorable lines such as:
“Stick it up your bollocks”
Play – An Evening With Gary Lineker (YouTube)
This evocative ITV adaptation of Arthur Smith and Chris England’s stage play depicts a couple’s summer holiday during the Italia ’90 tournament, marked by their bickering. The sequel, My Summer With Des, focuses on Euro ’96.
Comedy – Twenty Twenty Six (BBC )
Hugh Bonneville leads this FIFA satire as a former BBC employee appointed as the tournament’s “director of integrity.” The show humorously critiques corporate culture and the football ignorance of some American characters.
Documentary – The Bus: A French Football Mutiny (Netflix)
This documentary chronicles the turmoil of France’s failed 2010 World Cup campaign in South Africa. It reveals the internal conflicts and player revolts that culminated in the team, coached by Raymond Domenech, publicly refusing to train together. As the film notes:
Zut alors, lads.
Film – Mike Bassett: England Manager (Prime Video)
This cult 2001 “soccumentary” stars Ricky Tomlinson as a traditionalist manager leading an inept England team to the World Cup in Brazil, insisting on the “four-four-fucking-two” formation. The character is widely interpreted as a parody of Graham Taylor. The film asks:
Do I not like that?
Drama – This Is England ’86 ()
The first television spin-off from Shane Meadows’ coming-of-age film is set during the Mexico ’86 World Cup. It features key moments such as Maradona’s “Hand of God” goal and scenes of football played on Sheffield’s Park Hill estate. A later installment, ’90, advances the timeline to the Italy tournament.
Documentary – The Game of Their Lives (YouTube)
At the 1966 World Cup, North Korea captured global attention by defeating Italy in the group stage and leading Portugal 3-0 in the quarter-final. This 2002 documentary chronicles their unexpected success and reunites the seven surviving players, who remain celebrated national heroes.
Film – Escape to Victory (Sky/Now/Prime Video)
This classic football film combines World War II drama with sport. Featuring Sylvester Stallone, Michael Caine, and the legendary Pelé, it tells the story of a group of Allied prisoners of war forming a football team to compete against Nazi Germany in a match orchestrated by director John Huston.
