The British Film Institute (BFI) has curated a list of feature films and documentaries offering diverse perspectives on the beautiful game, coinciding with the 2026 World Cup. Beyond cinematic tributes to football legends, the selection delves into fan culture, women's football, and the sport's impact on communities. According to the BFI, these films demonstrate that football transcends a mere game on the pitch, reflecting history, identity, and societal issues.

Bend It Like Beckham (2002)

Directed by Gurinder Chadha, the film centers on Jess (Parminder Nagra), a British-Indian Sikh girl passionate about football, despite her family's disapproval. Upon joining a women's team, Jess befriends Jules (Keira Knightley). Both pursue their dreams of becoming professional players, navigating family expectations, first romantic feelings, and cultural differences.

Critics lauded "Bend It Like Beckham" as ahead of its time for placing women's football at its core. The narrative blends humor, a coming-of-age story, and sportsmanship, capturing the pop culture atmosphere of the early 2000s.

Offside (2006)

Set against the backdrop of the 2006 World Cup qualifier between Iran and Bahrain at Tehran's Azadi Stadium, Jafar Panahi's film tells the story of a group of girls who disguise themselves as boys to sneak into the stadium. As women are prohibited from attending matches, soldiers quickly apprehend them. While awaiting the game's conclusion, their conversations with the guards expose injustices, gender prejudices, and a yearning for equal treatment.

A particularly striking scene depicts one of the six girls needing to use the restroom. With no women's facilities available at the stadium, she is forced to go to the men's section, comically covering her face with a player poster. Despite being forbidden from making the film, Panahi completed it, turning "Offside" into a statement about breaking free from gender "frameworks" to pursue one's passions.

Zidane: A 21st Century Portrait (2006)

Unlike typical football documentaries, this film uniquely follows only one subject for 90 minutes during a Real Madrid versus Villarreal match on 23/4/2005. Using 17 synchronized cameras, directors Douglas Gordon and Philippe Parreno captured every movement, expression, and psychological state of Zinedine Zidane, from when his team was losing to his equalizing goal, before his late red card.

According to the British Film Institute, the film stands as one of the most distinctive football documentaries ever made. With a soundtrack by the band Mogwai and Zidane's own narration about his childhood and life, the work offers a fresh approach to depicting a player on screen.

Linha de Passe (2008)

Still from "Linha de Passe". Photo: Universal Pictures

Set in Sao Paulo, Brazil, Walter Salles and Daniela Thomas's film revolves around four siblings and their impoverished mother. Each seeks a way out of their difficult lives; among them, Dino hopes to change his fortunes through his football talent but encounters obstacles at the local team, where money and connections influence player selection.

"Linha de Passe" deviates from the typical rags-to-riches narrative. Instead, it offers a realistic portrayal of working-class life, reflecting the impact of poverty, inequality, and crime on families in Brazil.

Looking for Eric (2009)

Actors Steve Evets (left, as Eric Bishop) and former player Eric Cantona in "Looking for Eric". Photo: Icon Film Distribution

Directed by Ken Loach, the film tells the story of Eric, a postman in Manchester, England, who experiences a mental health crisis and becomes withdrawn. In his despair, Eric imagines his football idol, Eric Cantona, stepping out of a poster to converse with him. These conversations become the impetus for Eric to regain his confidence, mend relationships, and transform his life.

The film skillfully interweaves humorous situations with surreal elements to convey a message about men's mental health. It is highly regarded for reflecting loneliness while emphasizing the power of sharing in helping people overcome crises.

The Damned United (2009)

Still from "The Damned United". Photo: Sony Pictures Releasing International

Based on David Peace's novel, director Tom Hooper recreates the tumultuous 44 days of manager Brian Clough (Michael Sheen) leading Leeds United in 1974. The film interweaves this period with his successful tenure at Derby County, depicting his often-strained relationship with assistant Peter Taylor (Timothy Spall). Through this narrative, the work reflects the pressure, ambition, and power struggles inherent in professional football.

Michael Sheen's portrayal of Clough is a highlight, capturing the talented but hot-headed manager obsessed with competition. The BFI considers "The Damned United" to be more than just a story about two managers; it reveals the darker side of modern football, where ambition, power, and business interests intertwine with the sport.

Diego Maradona (2019)

Asif Kapadia's documentary reconstructs the tumultuous career and life of the Argentine football legend, focusing on his time with Napoli and the Argentina national team. Through archival footage, interviews with close associates, and Maradona's own accounts, the film illustrates his journey from a poor boy to one of history's greatest players, also touching on the controversy surrounding the "Hand of God" goal at the 1986 World Cup.

Director Asif Kapadia portrays a man filled with contradictions, caught between fame and tragedy. The film explores the darker side of celebrity, showing how Maradona was revered for his talent yet succumbed to pressure and the grip of drug addiction.

Pele (2021)

Brazilian football legend Pele in the documentary of the same name. Photo: Netflix

This documentary by filmmakers Ben Nicholas and David Tryhorn captures the reflections of the Brazilian football legend in his later years. The narrative revisits his impoverished childhood and his rise to become the only player to win three World Cups, recounting his key milestones. Critics note that "Pele" celebrates his unparalleled on-field achievements, showcasing the sincerity in his self-narrative of both triumphs and failures as one of football history's greatest players.

What Do We See When We Look at the Sky? (2021)

Set in Kutaisi, Georgia, Alexandre Koberidze's film interweaves various stories centered on the local residents' love for football. From boys who idolize Lionel Messi to a girl training on the pitch and a dog named Vardy who only watches England matches at a kebab shop behind the theater, football is presented as an integral part of daily life.

The central narrative follows the romance between a pharmacist and an amateur player who are cursed, causing them to change appearances. During the World Cup, they repeatedly miss opportunities to meet before recognizing each other while participating in a film. The work blends fantasy and humor, using football to tell a story about love, community, and the simple beauties of life.

Copa 71 (2023)

Directed by James Erskine and Rachel Ramsay, this film chronicles the 1971 Women's World Cup in Mexico, a tournament that drew tens of thousands of spectators but was not recognized by FIFA. Through the accounts of the participating players, the documentary revisits their journey of overcoming prohibitions and prejudices to pursue professional football, thereby honoring the women who helped lay the groundwork for the modern game.

Cat Tien (via BFI)