New FIFA World Cup Game Feels Two Generations Old, No Controllers

FIFA has re-entered the gaming arena with FIFA World Cup: Launch Edition, the official title for the 2026 World Cup, crafted by Refactor Games and distributed by Netflix. Yet, the highly anticipated revival of the franchise after its split from Electronic Arts has hit the ground running on the wrong foot, as VGC’s inaugural review slotted the game a dismal 1 out of 5 stars and branded it a visibly unfinished product.

Bundled with a Netflix subscription, the title runs entirely in the cloud on both televisions and PCs. Players must scan a QR code with the Netflix Controller app and use their phone’s screen as a makeshift controller, since the game does not support traditional gamepads.

While the controls appear to function adequately, the real issues surface once commands reach the game engine. Passes slip through too easily, players ignore certain shooting cues, and nearly any shot aimed between the posts can find the back of the net. Goalkeepers react sluggishly, conceding goals from almost any range—a problem amplified by the absence of difficulty settings.

The content is also disappointingly sparse, offering only quick matches, penalty shootouts, and a Tournament mode that lets you pick one of the 48 qualified teams to play the real group‑stage fixtures. Victories earn coins to upgrade player stats, but this progression feels hollow given the low challenge level.

Graphics are another sore spot, with VGC noting the visuals resemble a football title from the PS3 or Xbox 360 era—rudimentary models, low‑resolution kits, and an overall finish that feels far from the polish expected of a flagship release tied to the world’s biggest football tournament.

Netflix has branded the title “Launch Edition,” explaining it is a foundational release that will grow and improve over time. However, VGC argues that the current version falls short of competing with EA Sports FC and does not even do justice to the World Cup, despite the soundtrack’s star‑studded lineup featuring Calvin Harris, MGMT, Muse, Blur, and Fatboy Slim.