While there is always plenty of live football readily available to fans, sometimes it’s refreshing to peek behind the curtain.
This is where football documentaries come into the equation. They give interested audiences unprecedented access to behind-the-scenes videos, providing viewers with a deeper understanding of the great game.
With streaming services left, right and centre, there are already many excellent documentaries at our fingertips, whether they focus on an individual, a team, an organization or a football story.
Here are 20 of the best football documentaries out there.
With the England Men’s team at one of its lowest ebbs, the Three Lions were given a chance to redeem themselves at the 1990 FIFA World Cup in Italy. Led by manager Sir Bobby Robson and boasting the likes of Gary Lineker and David Platt, England traveled to the Mediterranean looking for salvation in the face of intense public scrutiny.
With England still to win the World Cup since 1966, we know it’s not a good ending, but One night in Turin analyzes how opinions have changed throughout the tournament.
Also, it’s narrated by the brilliant Gary Oldman.
If we could recommend one football documentary, this would probably be it.
The film follows the life of Colombian player Andres Escobar, who was killed after scoring the goal that saw his country out of the 1994 World Cup, and how the events that unfolded relate to the notorious drug lord Pablo Escobar.
A compelling and difficult watch, The Two Escobars viewing is essential for both football fans and documentary fans alike.
Class of ’92 tells the incredible story of six Manchester United players who helped inspire a generation of dominance, with David Beckham, Gary Neville, Phil Neville, Paul Scholes, Ryan Giggs and Nicky Butt all present.
This is another must-watch for Man Utd fans and those interested in the early years of the Premier League, although it may be to avoid fans of Liverpool, Arsenal and Manchester City.
Next Goal wins follows the trials and tribulations of the American Samoa men’s soccer team as they try to win the 2014 World Cup. Labeled ‘the worst team in the world’, it is worth noting that they were beaten 31-0 by Australia in 2001.
The story was turned into a feature-length film by director Taika Waititi in 2023 starring Michael Fassbender, but we’d recommend watching the documentary before diving into the film.
If you’re looking for a football documentary that focuses on broad themes with a political edge, then this is it FIFA planet it is one of the best available to you. The film, which was first released in 2016, analyzes corruption within the governing body of football, FIFA, and a number of expert interviews to simplify a complex topic.
It follows allegations of corrupt FIFA elections, World Cup bribery and dubious advertising deals, giving audiences a closer look at what’s wrong with sports.
Few would dispute Pep Guardiola’s Barcelona as the greatest club the world has ever seen, but here’s some proof if it’s needed.
It features interviews with some of the world’s best players of the 21st century – both former Barcelona stars and those who played for rival teams – Take the Ball, Pass the Ball provides a clear account of Barca’s brilliance between 2008 and 2012.
Written by Spanish football expert Graham Hunter, this is a must watch for those who have been seduced by the kings of tiki-taka.
One night in Turin may focus exclusively on Italia ’90 but this documentary gives viewers a first-hand insight into the life of former England, Barcelona and Newcastle United manager Bobby Robson. The late football icon enjoyed a great career and this gives all the details through a mix of archived photos and interviews.
The film received rave reviews when it was released in 2018 – nine years after Robson’s death – and continues to do so today.
Sunderland ‘Til I Die it’s not just for Black Cats fans, it’s the perfect watch for any football fan who truly understands that connection between locals and their team. The documentary perfectly captures the popularity and sense of community that football provides through the bright and dark days.
There are three seasons of the documentary split into episodes, with the first series following Sunderland in the 2017/18 season after they were relegated to the Championship from the Premier League.
The beauty of All or Nothing that you can choose from a list of stories. The series goes backwards to follow the inner workings of different football clubs over the course of a season, starting with Manchester City from 2018.
However, Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal are the other Premier League giants that have been invited Amazon Prime Company behind the scenes cameras, with Juventus, Brazil and Germany also taking part in the previous series.
Chances are Leeds United fans across the country have already sung it Take Us Home: Leeds Unitedbut the documentary makes for compelling viewing regardless of your football allegiance.
There are two seasons of documentary following Leeds in the 2018/19 and 2019/20 campaigns respectively under the influential and popular Marcelo Bielsa.
Diego Maradona’s life often reads like a legend and this documentary – created from over 500 hours of never-before-seen footage – allows viewers to become a fly on the wall on a journey through the Argentine hero’s incredible career.
Maradona was a genius on the football field but he suffered with his demons on it, with Diego Maradona showing the pros and cons of a truly extraordinary life. The late World Cup winner appears in a film shot a year before his death.
For many, Sir Alex Ferguson is the greatest manager of all time. In the film, which includes numerous interviews with the Manchester United legend, viewers are given an unparalleled look at Scotland’s greatest coach.
Directed by Ferguson’s son, Jason, the film serves as the perfect reminder of one of football’s most iconic images, with this essential viewing for Man Utd fans of any era.
If you’re looking for an England international documentary that doesn’t end with heartbreak, tears and penalty misses, this is it Lions: How Football Came Home perfect watch.
Unsurprisingly it focuses on the England women’s team and their Euro 2022 triumph, giving audiences a glimpse into Sarina Wiegman’s side and how she defied expectations to bring the ball home.
The England men’s team could do with watching this one.
There have been few more troubled characters in British football history than the exceptionally gifted former England player Paul Gascoigne. The champion of the game that captured the hearts of the nation, Gazza digs deep into his life on and off the field.
Having struggled with mental health issues and addiction, this documentary shines a light on the issues plaguing one of England’s most talented stars.
The ball goes out takes a hard look at why there are no gay footballers in the Premier League – the richest and most watched division in world football.
Starring Patrick Bamford and Amal Fashanu, the documentary looks at issues surrounding homophobia in football and what will happen when there is finally an openly gay player in England’s top flight.
For those who have lived through the rise of the Brazilian star and those who have only heard legends, Status: Ronaldo a shining watch. Following the rise and fall of the two-time Ballon d’Or winner, the documentary looks at the highs and lows of an incredible career.
Ronaldo is one of the footballers in the world who was interviewed, alongside the likes of Zinedine Zidane, Roberto Carlos and Paolo Maldini, the film reveals what really happened to him. O Phenomenon before the 1998 World Cup final.
For those who want a more comfortable viewing experience, Captains it could be just the ticket. I Netflix the first documentary follows the captains of all 32 teams assigned to the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, including eventual winner Lionel Messi.
If you’re looking for a fair critique of the tournament this won’t satisfy your needs, but for those interested in what’s happening on the field and in the dressing room this is great.
Despite being one of the most well-documented stories of recent years in English football, Welcome to Wrexham is an official documentary of the rise of the Welsh outfit under the ownership of Hollywood duo Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds.
The multi-series documentary gives an insight into how the two actors bought the club and under their management, Wrexham’s ultimate goal of reaching the Premier League comes closer to being realized.
Episode 71 gives audiences a first-hand account of the 1971 Women’s World Cup, which was played in front of record crowds – reportedly 100,000 for the tournament’s first match in Mexico – but has not been overlooked since.
The documentary interviews those who took part in the competition from different nations, telling a beautiful and forgotten story.
Now for something completely different.
A loose definition of a football documentary, this one is for fun lovers. Of course, Coleen Rooney: The True Story of Wagatha following the dramatic drama involving Coleen Rooney and Rebekah Vardy – the wives of former England strikers Wayne Rooney and Jamie Vardy.
Coleen Rooney suspected someone was leaking news about her to the British press and set a trap to find the culprit. Spoiler alert, it’s…Rebekah Vardy.
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