Soccer Stories to Watch Before the 2026 World Cup
Assistant Sports Editor Hayden Bird, who has spent years covering the beautiful game, is turning his attention to the upcoming 2026 World Cup with a curated list of films and series that capture the sport’s drama, history and culture.
Bird’s selections range from the gritty biopic of Brian Clough in 'The Damned United' to the uplifting wartime tale of 'Escape to Victory', and include the critically acclaimed documentary series 'Sunderland 'Til I Die' that follows a club’s descent from the Premier League to League One.
He also points fans toward the 2019 film 'Diego Maradona', widely regarded as one of the best soccer movies ever made, and the documentary 'Graham Taylor: An Impossible Job', which offers a behind‑the‑scenes look at the English manager’s turbulent tenure.
All of these titles are currently available on major streaming services, including The Roku Channel, HBO Max, Netflix, Prime Video and Peacock, making it easy for viewers to dive in before the tournament kicks off.
The excitement is already building in Boston, where preparations for the World Cup are underway, and Bird’s weekly 'The Queue' newsletter provides weekly streaming recommendations, industry news and additional context for soccer enthusiasts.
Whether you are a lifelong supporter or a casual viewer, Bird’s picks aim to get the audience in the right mindset to celebrate the world’s biggest football festival.