FIFA shifts to multi-partner digital strategy

FIFA has formalized a long-term Digital Football Strategy that ends its single-partner exclusivity model and establishes multiple development and distribution agreements across games and esports.

The framework names partners including Roblox, Epic Games, Konami, SEGA/Sports Interactive, Gamefam, Mythical Games, Solace Games and Netflix/Delphi Interactive. FIFA said the plan expands its digital presence on consoles, PC and mobile ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

FIFA listed two headline projects. FIFA World Cup – Launch Edition is set for a detailed reveal before its June release. FIFA Heroes is planned for mobile and PC with a later console rollout. FIFA also flagged continued development of non-simulation experiences that combine football with broader entertainment properties.

The governing body presented usage figures to show audience demand for multiple digital products. The Roblox title, rebranded as FIFA Super Soccer and developed by Gamefam, has exceeded 10 million monthly active users and surpassed one billion total plays. On mobile, FIFA Rivals has recorded more than 2.5 million downloads and includes commercial partners such as adidas.

The strategy affects FIFA’s competitive gaming calendar under the FIFAe brand. The competitive ecosystem has expanded beyond Konami’s eFootball and Epic’s Rocket League, and FIFA reported its nation-based qualification circuit generated over 1.1 billion broadcast views across global events.

For 2026, FIFA plans five FIFAe Continental Championships that will serve as direct qualifiers for the FIFAe Finals 2026. The organization is also preparing to name the host city for an inaugural hybrid FIFAe Festival.

Global Esports Industry Week will return June 18–21, 2026, in Cologne, Germany, and will run alongside IEM Cologne. FIFA framed the event and the partner network as part of efforts to make its digital products and competitions more accessible to fans, federations and commercial partners.

FIFA Secretary General Mattias Grafström stated in a release: ‘By establishing a scalable foundation in gaming and esports, we’re creating new opportunities for our 211 Member Associations and our Commercial Partners to participate and collaborate. Our ambition is to build a sustainable and adaptable ecosystem that reflects how football is experienced today and how it will continue to evolve in the future.’

The updated strategy completes a transition that began after FIFA and EA Sports ended their exclusive relationship in 2022. FIFA now aims to reach different audiences, genres and platforms through multiple partners rather than a single exclusive title.