Top 10 World Cup Documentaries and Films

Asif Kapadia's documentary uses 500 hours of unseen footage to tell the story of Diego Maradona's genius and turmoil. The 1986 World Cup at its center is treated as a masterpiece of sporting mythology.

This Netflix documentary traces the Brazilian legend's journey from the 1958 World Cup triumph — when he was just 17 — through to his eventual global icon status. A portrait of football's first global superstar.

A controversial dramatization of FIFA's history, including World Cup founding moments. Widely criticized yet historically significant as a portrait of the organization's self-mythology around the tournament's origins.

The broader documentary series captures how World Cup qualification defines player careers and national identity — a theme explored through the English club's international contingent.

The official tournament film captures Maradona's genius against the vivid backdrop of Mexico. His "Hand of God" and "Goal of the Century" against England are presented in their full contradictory glory.

Though primarily about Olympic doping, this Oscar-winning Netflix documentary revealed systematic Russian state doping that has since cast shadows over multiple World Cup qualification campaigns.

Amazon Prime's anthology series dedicates episodes to World Cup history, exploring how the tournament intersects with politics, identity, and human drama far beyond the pitch.

Qatar's official World Cup film documented the historic first Middle Eastern tournament, capturing Argentina's dramatic penalty shootout final victory and Messi's long-awaited coronation.

John Huston's classic fiction film starring Sylvester Stallone, Michael Caine, and Pelé dramatizes a match between Allied POWs and Nazi Germany. Pelé's overhead kick remains one of cinema's great sporting moments.