Football Games To Play Before The World Cup Is Out
With the World Cup only coming around once every four years, it’s a period in time to savour. Once the group games are over, the wait between fixtures in the knockout stages can feel painfully long. Thankfully, there’s a raft of ways to keep that football buzz going, with one of them being to play some football-themed games. From console titles to gaming on the go on mobile, there’s something out there for everyone to enjoy.
Video games remain the obvious go-to, but plenty of football fans are also exploring football-themed casino games to fill the gaps between matches. With many football and World Cup-themed titles out there, it won’t take long for a player to settle on their favourite online slots game to play throughout the tournament.
Video Games Built For The World Cup
EA Sports FC is undoubtedly the closest thing players will get to a full simulation of the tournament thanks to its free World Cup update. EA lost its FIFA licence several years ago, so it isn’t a branded World Cup mode as seen in the past, but there is a 48-team tournament with 53 licensed national squads and authentic stadiums, making it a strong pick. eFootball 2026 is a free-to-play alternative with smoother, skill-based gameplay and its own International Cup 2026 mode replicating the World Cup.
For those looking for something a bit less serious, FIFA Heroes brings fast, five-a-side arcade matches featuring official World Cup mascots and football legends to the table. And for fans who prefer to manage rather than play, they should check out Football Manager 26, which holds the official FIFA World Cup licence, letting players take full control of a national squad of their choosing.
There’s plenty of variety beyond the big names too. Rematch offers quick, high-energy arcade matches, UFL provides a fair, skill-focused free-to-play option, and Dream League Soccer 2026 is ideal for those gaming on the go. For a bit of family fun, Super Mario Strikers: Battle League keeps things colourful and chaotic. Between them all, these titles have every mood covered, from competitive online play to a quick arcade match.
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Football-Themed Slots Joining The Action
Slot developers haven’t missed the opportunity either, with several football-themed releases catching the eye. Hacksaw Gaming’s Le Football Fan leans fully into matchday atmosphere, combining crowd energy with bonus-heavy gameplay, while its sister title Le Hooligan takes a grittier and more rebellious approach to football culture. Pragmatic Play has given its popular Big Bass series something of a football makeover with Big Bass Football Bonanza offering relaxed, easy-to-follow gameplay wrapped in tournament visuals.
For those chasing prizes, Relax Gaming’s World Class Kick Off Dream Drop pairs football with a tiered jackpot system, making it a popular choice. As seen with football-themed video games, there’s plenty of variety when it comes to football-themed casino titles too.
Conclusion
Whether it’s a proper simulation you’re looking for, the ability to manage a national side, something less serious with an arcadey-style feel or something completely different in the form of online slots, you’re well covered during the 2026 World Cup and beyond. And, these games are playable across an array of devices too, including console, handheld, and mobile, making them accessible to everyone, however you like to play.
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