Welcome to Wrexham
Okay, it’s not about a “cup” in the World Cup sense, but this series chronicles a team’s dramatic journey through England’s FA Cup, and its heart is too big to ignore. The docuseries follows Hollywood stars Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney after they
purchase a struggling Welsh football club, Wrexham AFC. What begins as a fish-out-of-water story quickly evolves into a powerful tale about a team, a town, and the hope that sports can bring to a community that has been down on its luck. It’s funny, moving, and surprisingly educational about the brutal economics of lower-league soccer. **Why it’s great for families:** The core themes are about community, perseverance, and believing in a shared dream. While there’s some salty language from passionate fans and players (it is a British football club, after all), it’s infrequent and often bleeped. The story is simple enough for kids to follow—will the team win?—but layered with emotional depth that will resonate with adults. It’s a perfect entry point for non-soccer fans, thanks to the humor and heart provided by its famous owners.
Pelé
How do you explain the concept of a global icon to a kid? You show them this documentary. The 2021 Netflix film chronicles the life of Edson Arantes do Nascimento, known to the world simply as Pelé. The film focuses on the twelve-year period between 1958 and 1970 when he went from a teenage prodigy to a national hero, leading Brazil to three World Cup victories. Using a mix of stunning archival footage and interviews with the aging king himself, the film is a vibrant, emotional portrait of the man who made the number 10 jersey sacred. **Why it’s great for families:** This is a classic hero’s journey. It’s a story of extraordinary talent meeting immense pressure. The documentary largely steers clear of the more complicated aspects of Pelé’s personal life, focusing instead on his on-field genius and his role as a unifying symbol for a nation undergoing political turmoil. It’s an inspiring, visually rich history lesson on the sport’s first and arguably greatest superstar. It’s pure soccer joy, perfect for introducing a new generation to the legend.
The Captains
If your family is split on who to root for in the World Cup, this series is for you. Produced by FIFA for Netflix, *The Captains* follows six iconic players—including Luka Modrić (Croatia), Thiago Silva (Brazil), and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (Gabon)—as they navigate the treacherous qualification process for the 2022 World Cup. Each episode provides an intimate look at the immense pressure and responsibility that comes with wearing the captain’s armband for your country. It's less about game highlights and more about the psychological and emotional toll of leadership on a global stage. **Why it’s great for families:** It teaches a valuable lesson: soccer is a truly global sport. By jumping between different continents and cultures, the series showcases how the game means different things to different people, while the emotions—hope, fear, pride, and disappointment—are universal. The focus on leadership and teamwork is a fantastic takeaway for young viewers. It’s a clean, well-produced series that humanizes the superstars we usually only see on the field, making their triumphs and struggles relatable.
Becoming Champions
This Netflix docuseries is the ultimate soccer history lesson, packaged as an entertaining collection of stories. Each of the nine episodes focuses on a single nation that has won the FIFA World Cup, from Uruguay’s inaugural victory in 1930 to Germany’s triumph in 2014. The series explores the unique social, political, and cultural context surrounding each country's championship run. You’ll learn about Italy’s win under the shadow of Mussolini, England’s lone victory on home soil in 1966, and Maradona’s divine intervention for Argentina in 1986. **Why it’s great for families:** It’s a fantastic educational tool disguised as entertainment. The episodes are self-contained, so you can pick and choose which country’s story to watch. For kids just getting into the sport, it provides an essential backstory to the tournament’s biggest rivalries and most legendary moments. For adults, it’s a nostalgic trip through soccer history. The storytelling is straightforward and inspiring, celebrating national pride and the crowning achievement in the world’s most popular sport.
