FIFA World Cup 2026: Here's your guide to documentaries, podcasts about the beautiful game

Pics courtesy/@Fifa

Hero: The official film

Diego Maradona in Hero

Narrated by Michael Caine, this film tracks a tournament that featured stars Michel Platini, Hugo Sanchez, Socrates, Gary Lineker, and of course, one Diego Armando Maradona.
Log on to: @Fifa on YouTube

The Two Escobars

Andres Escobar. Pic Courtesy/Wikimedia Commons

A drug lord and a tragic footballing hero meet in the most unlikely and devastating circumstances.
Log on to: Netflix

Futebol Arte: The story of Brazil's 1982 football team

A documentary on the famed Brazilian team of 1982. Led by Socrates, Zico, Eder, and Falcao, it was the purest personification of joga bonito (beautiful game).
Log on to: @Fifa on YouTube

BBC review of World Cup Italia 1990

Pics courtesy/@ASB

The nostalgia of Luciano Pavarotti's Vincero, Roger Milla's jig, and a young Roberto Baggio and Toto Schillaci (above) lighting it up; this review encapsulates it all.
Log on to: @ASB on YouTube

Graham Taylor: The Impossible Job

Graham Taylor (centre) during a match. Pics Courtesy/@North One

A film that inspired the cult parody, Mike Bassett: England Manager, this documentary was the first time a media crew attached itself to an England national team coach, destroying reputations in the process.
Log on to: NorthOne on YouTube

Podcasts

Golazzo: If the romance of nostalgia is to your taste, try James Horncastle and James Richardson's podcast where they dive into everything Italian, from Roberto Baggio's miss to Paolo Maldini's greatness.

The Blizzard Podcast explores Italy's famous win in 1982

The Blizzard Podcast: Writer Jonathan Wilson looks at the World Cup through the lens of history. If you want to learn more about the Corinthians of Socrates or the lost Denmark teams, give it a listen.

The Copa Club: From the rise and fall of the great Diego Maradona to the rivalry of Boca and River Plate, and the legends of Brazilian football, this one is for fans of South American joga bonito.

Football Ramble: For those who tire of modern day stat padding, this podcast turns back the clock to the drama of Italia '90 to the infamous 1986 ‘Hand of God'.

Stadio: British-Ugandan poet Musa Okwonga joins Ryan Hunn on this podcast that adds the subtext of globalisation, migration, racial tensions, and political bias to football analysis.

Available Spotify; YouTube (all podcast series)