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The 2026 FIFA World Cup is on the horizon and approaching fast, with anticipation for the expanded 48-team tournament is reaching pitch with players, fans and punters alike.
In the lead up to the international game’s most prestigious event, everyone is consuming World Cup content by the bucketload, and what better way to get yourself in the mood for the action than by watching some of the best football documentaries ever made.
From World Cup disasters and tales of against-the-odds glory to emotional individual stories that have transcended the game, these films give context to conquest and offer the public a behind the closed doors glimpse at the harsh realities of elite-level sport.
Get ready to add some new titles to your watchlist and if you have seen some of these before, maybe it’s time for a second viewing.
The Two Escobars (2010)
Few football documentaries have ever hit as hard as this one. The Two Escobars was part of ESPN’s critically acclaimed 30 for 30 series, and is perhaps the flagship episode of the entire release.
The documentary chronicles the tragic intersection between Colombian football and organised crime during the last 1980s and early 1990s, and tells the story of notorious drug kingpin Pablo Escobar, and his namesake, Andrés Escobar, was an international defender.
The film builds toward Colombia’s disastrous 1994 World Cup campaign, where Andrés scored the own goal against the United States that contributed to their elimination. Days later, he was murdered in Medellín.
It’s gripping, tragic and utterly unforgettable, reminding us that football, especially at the World Cup, can carry political, cultural and life-altering consequences.
Diego Maradona (2019)
No clues as to who this documentary is about. When the subject is Diego Maradona, some extraordinary storytelling is required and filmmaker, Asif Kapadia, delivers an outstanding ode to one of football’s best ever players.
Using more than 500 hours of unseen footage, this documentary focuses heavily on Maradona’s turbulent years at Napoli. It covers his rise after the 1986 World Cup, how his fame spiralled out of control, his links to the Mafia, drug addiction and the impossible pressure he carried throughout his career.
As you watch Maradona’s life unfold on screen, it’s almost hard to believe that it’s a documentary and not some Hollywood script written to astonish and dazzle. For anyone eager to relieve some of the World Cup’s greatest ever performances, this one is essential viewing.
Graham Taylor: An Impossible Job (1994)
England fans will unfortunately, find this one painfully familiar and easy to relate to, even if they were born after the fact.
This highly-rated documentary followed England manager Graham Taylor during his failed attempt to lead the Three Lions to qualification for the 1994 World Cup in the United States.
It became particularly infamous for Taylor’s frustrated touchline outbursts, with quotes like “Do I not like that” and “Can we not knock it?”, delivered in his strong South Yorkshire accent, evidence of his loosening control.
While unintentionally funny in parts, the film is also a brutally honest portrayal of managerial pressure for man who was struggling to match the sky-high English expectations. Familiar indeed.
Some of the best World Cup 2026 betting sites will have England listed as one of he outright favourites for glory, though, it wouldn’t surprise anyone if the Three Lions came up short again.
Becoming Champions (2018)
This Netflix-produced series looks at the stories behind the players and countries have won the World Cup and is ideal homework for anyone preparing to follow in the 2026 edition of the competition over the summer.
Each individual episode covers a different World Cup winner, with Brazil, Germany, Argentina, France, Spain, England, Italy and Uruguay all among those to get the special treatment.
The format of each entry is similar, with breakdowns on each champion’s route to victory and the characters that provides the driving force.
There are plenty of iconic moments and goals to relive, making this documentary an excellent way to whet your appetite ahead of World Cup 2026.
Ronaldo (2015)
In this documentary, viewers are given unprecedented access to Cristiano Ronaldo’s personal life and career, both at club and international level.
The Portuguese superstar remains a divisive character, but love him or hate him, he is a fascinating character and makes for a compelling protagonist in this film.
In this picture, we can delve into Ronaldo’s training mentality, his family relationships, career sacrifices and, of course, his rivalry with footballing nemesis, Lionel Messi.
Ronaldo will likely share an international tournament with Messi for the last time in 2026, so this documentary provides the perfect warm up for their swansong.
Pelé (2021)
Another entry from Netflix’s expansive catalogue, this movie centres around icon Brazilian Pelé, who remains arguably the most impactful World Cup player of all time.
It covers his three World Cup wins, his global superstardom, complicated legacy and even Brazil’s turbulent military dictatorship, during a turbulent period in the country’s history.
Tracking Pelé rise from show-stopping teen talent to household name and international tour de force, this documentary makes for an incredible watch. As Brazil prepare for another crack at World Cup glory in 2026, this one provides essential prep.
Les Bleus (2016)
Though this one can be a little hard to find and involves following English subtitles for non-French speakers, it’s well worth catching if you can.
This documentary charts 20 years of the French national soccer team between 1996 and 2018, Les Bleus, whose ups and downs ran parallel with those in French society, including racism, class divide and public unrest.
It offers a comprehensive history of the nation’s fabled World Cup triumph on home soil in 1998 and as well as disappointments that followed after, including the fallout from Zinedine Zidane’s headbutt in the final of 2006.
Bobby (2016)
This film was released in time to mark the 50th anniversary of England’s 1966 World Cup win and aims to honour one of the heroes of their triumph, captain Bobby Moore.
Bo66y (to give it it’s alternative title), is a deeply personal portrait of a man who fought as many battles off the pitch as he did on, with illness and his struggles with alcohol prevalent.
Beyond the glory of 66, Moore died young, aged 51, and was cruelly shunned by the game and the by the people who he gave so much to as a player.
In this film, we get to hear from his two wives, his friends and a whole collection of former footballing greats like Pelé, Geoff Hurst, and Harry Redknapp, as well as a host of different celebrities.
Baggio: The Divine Ponytail (2021)
An iconic Italian football of real style and skill, Roberto Baggio, was a 90s pinup and had an incredible career. The attacker, who was the Ballon d’Or winner of 1993, always seemed to attract controversy and drama wherever he went, making him the perfect central character for any sports film.
Netflix released a film based on Baggio’s life in 2021 with Andrea Arcangeli playing the lead role. Baggio’s career is covered extensively in the movie, though his brilliance was and always will be overshadowed by his penalty miss against Brazil in the 1994 World Cup Final.
Still, we should always try to avoid viewing that as Baggio’s legacy and this movie helps in that regard. This is 92 minutes of pure adrenaline, emotion and sporting brilliance.
One Night in Turin (2010)
If you’re readying yourself for another summer adventure following the Three Lions or doing an World Cup odds comparison for England’s prices in 2026, this documentary should fit the bill.
Penalty shootouts have haunted England at World Cups over the years, and the 1990 semi-final is a major chapter of their apparent curse. In 2010, a documentary was released on England’s run that year, telling the story of the Three Lions’ agonising loss against West Germany.
This was an era when English football was in a state of disrepair, with hooliganism and societal breakdown dividing the nation.
Italia 90 offered England a shot at a kind of redemption and this documentary follows the team and staff as they navigate the intense media scrutiny to come within a whisker of reaching the final.
Narrated by Gary Oldman and laced with unseen footage, this is the definitive tale of one of England’s greatest adventures on foreign soil to date, with Gazza’s tears, World in Motion, Gary Lineker’s finishes and David Platt’s volley all on the tape.
