World Cup 2026: The Soccer Movies to Watch Before Kickoff
07.12.2014 | By Mariana Dussan |
Updated June 2026
The 2026 World Cup kicks off June 11, the first ever co-hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada.
For Latino fans, this World Cup is personal. Mexico is co-hosting. Argentina arrives defending the title Messi finally won in 2022. Colombia and Uruguay are in the field, and CONMEBOL sides always travel deep. The biggest stage in sports is a Latin American story again, and so are its best movies. Here’s what to stream before kickoff, starting with the films that put Latino soccer at the center.
The Latino soccer stories
The Two Escobars (2010), still the most devastating soccer film ever made. Andrés Escobar led Colombia to the 1994 World Cup. Pablo Escobar, the drug lord who bankrolled the country’s clubs, was no relation but ran the money behind the game. After an own goal sent Colombia home, Andrés was shot dead days later. It’s the rare sports doc that explains a whole country. (Related: How Colombia’s James Rodríguez Became a Global Pop Star.)
Diego Maradona (2019), Asif Kapadia (Senna, Amy) cut 500 hours of footage into the definitive portrait of the most gifted and most flawed player the game ever produced. Naples worshipped him. Argentina made him a god. Watch it before this year’s stars try to match him.
Goal! The Dream Begins (2005), a Mexican kid from the L.A. barrio gets one shot at the pros in England. Corny, sure. It’s also the only big soccer fantasy that starts where most Latino fans actually live.
The global classics
Escape to Victory (1981), Stallone, Michael Caine, and Pelé as Allied POWs who turn a Nazi propaganda match into a jailbreak. Daring, sometimes corny, worth it to watch Pelé score on a bicycle kick.
Shaolin Soccer (2001), Stephen Chow’s martial-arts comedy is cheesy and built for cheering. The underdog formula at full volume.
Bend It Like Beckham (2002), the comedy that launched Keira Knightley still gets soccer’s pull better than films three times its budget.
The Damned United (2009), Michael Sheen as Brian Clough in his doomed 44-day run at Leeds. Less about soccer than ego, and good on both.
When the whistle blows June 11, stream a few of these first. And see our 26 most anticipated 2026 movies featuring Hispanic talent for what’s next.
