There is just one day left until the 2026 FIFA World Cup kicks off in Canada, Mexico, and the United States. For over a month, the tournament will dominate television schedules worldwide. Football fans will be delighted, while others may feel less enthusiastic. But what can you watch while waiting for the football fever to fully take hold? Here is our selection of eleven films, dramas, and documentaries to get you in the mood.
Match – 1966 World Cup Final in Colour (Channel 4)
David Baddiel introduces a full-color replay of England's landmark 4-2 victory over West Germany, raising awareness of Alzheimer's disease. Hat-trick hero Geoff Hurst reflects on the historic match 60 years ago and remembers his teammates who developed dementia.
Drama – Dear England (BBC iPlayer)
Joseph Fiennes stars in James Graham's adaptation of his own award-winning play about Three Lions boss Gareth Southgate's noble attempt to end decades of hurt. Expect beards, waistcoats, and inflatable unicorns.
Documentary – Kevin Bridges: In Search of the Beautiful Game (BBC iPlayer)
Ahead of Scotland's first tournament appearance in 28 years, comedian Kevin Bridges travels to Brazil and the United States in this heartfelt travelogue, asking whether the sport has lost its soul.
Film – Saipan (Prime Video/BFI Player)
Steve Coogan stars in this dramatisation of the infamous 2002 World Cup clash between Republic of Ireland manager Mick McCarthy and captain Roy Keane (Éanna Hardwicke). 'Stick it up your bollocks' indeed.
Play – An Evening With Gary Lineker (YouTube)
An evocative ITV adaptation of Arthur Smith and Chris England's stage play, setting a bickering couple's summer holiday against the backdrop of the Italia '90 tournament. Also see the Euro '96-themed sequel My Summer With Des.
Comedy – Twenty Twenty Six (BBC iPlayer)
Hugh Bonneville leads this FIFA satire as an ex-BBC bumbler parachuted into the world's biggest sporting event as its 'director of integrity'. Corporate culture and football-ignorant Americans are gently mocked.
Documentary – The Bus: A French Football Mutiny (Netflix)
Chronicling the chaos of France's failed 2010 campaign in South Africa, this jaw-dropping film lays bare the bust-ups and player revolts that led to Raymond Domenech's team publicly refusing to train together.
Film – Mike Bassett: England Manager (Prime Video)
A cult 2001 'soccumentary' starring Ricky Tomlinson as an unreconstructed manager leading a hapless team to the World Cup in Brazil, determined to play 'four-four-fucking-two'. Any resemblance to Graham 'Turnip' Taylor is purely intentional.
Drama – This Is England '86 (Channel 4)
The first TV spin-off from Shane Meadows' coming-of-age film was set during Mexico '86. It features Maradona's 'Hand of God' goal and kick-arounds on Sheffield's Park Hill estate. The later instalment This Is England '90 moved forward to the tournament in Italy.
Documentary – The Game of Their Lives (YouTube)
At the 1966 tournament, North Korea captured hearts by defeating hot favourites Italy in the group stage and taking a 3-0 lead against Portugal in the quarter-final. This 2002 film charts their shock success and tracks down the seven surviving players, who remain national heroes.
Film – Escape to Victory (Sky/Now/Prime Video)
World War II plus football equals the ultimate rainy afternoon movie. Sylvester Stallone, Michael Caine, and actual Pelé form a plucky allied POW team to take on Nazi Germany in director John Huston's rousing football fairytale.
