3 Soccer Documentaries To Watch During the World Cup

The World Cup is one of the biggest events in sports celebrating the most popular sport in the world. But the stories don’t stop when the final whistle blows.

If you’re looking for something to watch between matches, Paramount+ has soccer documentaries that explore players, defining moments, and personal journeys connected to the sport, in general – and to the U.S. men’s national soccer team, specifically. Bonus: Paramount+ is also home to UEFA Champions League and more soccer action throughout the year.

Because you crave drama on and off the pitch, here are three soccer documentaries worth streaming during the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

3 great soccer documentaries

The FIFA World Cup, played every four years, is the ultimate soccer tournament, one that introduces new stars, revives old memories, and sparks conversations about the people behind the game. The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be played across three countries, including the U.S., from June 11-July 19.

If you’re looking for something to watch between matches, the following soccer documentaries on Paramount+ offer a closer look at players, moments, and stories that helped shape the sport in the U.S.

1. Pulisic

What it’s about: Pulisic follows Christian Pulisic as he balances the expectations that come with being one of the most recognizable American soccer players of his generation. The nine-part documentary offers access to his life on and off the field, while examining the demands of competing for club and country.

Why you should watch it: Though released in 2024, this Paramount+ original is entirely of the moment: Pulisic, now 27, is one of the headliners of the U.S. men’s national soccer team that’s competing at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

WATCH NOW: Pulisic

2. The Billion Dollar Goal

What it’s about: The Billion Dollar Goal tells the story of Paul Caligiuri’s goal against Trinidad and Tobago in 1989, a moment that secured the U.S. men’s national soccer team’s place at the 1990 FIFA World Cup. The three-part Paramount+ original documentary explores the state of American soccer at the time and the significance of qualifying for the tournament after a long absence.

Why you should watch it: During the World Cup, it’s easy to focus only on the present. The Billion Dollar Goal looks back at a moment that changed the trajectory of the game in the U.S. LeBron James and Maverick Carter are among the producers behind the project.

WATCH NOW: The Billion Dollar Goal

3. You Don’t Know Where I’m From, Dawg

What it’s about: You Don’t Know Where I’m From, Dawg is a Paramount+ original documentary about Clint Dempsey, the U.S. soccer great, who went from East Texas to the biggest stages of European soccer (with three separate World Cup appearances for the U.S. along the way). Directed by Nate Edwards, the five-part doc centers on identity, personal history, and the experiences that shape an athlete’s journey.

Why you should watch it: If you’re rooting for the U.S. men’s team in the World Cup, then you should take the time to get to know one of the best soccer players ever produced by this nation.

WATCH NOW: You Don’t Know Where I’m From, Dawg

How to watch these soccer documentaries on Paramount+

Pulisic, The Billion Dollar Goal, and You Don’t Know Where I’m From, Dawg are available to stream on Paramount+ with a subscription to any plan – either Paramount+ Essential or Paramount+ Premium. Plans start at $8.99 a month.

In addition to these docs, your subscription gets you UEFA Champions League matches live and on demand, select live NWSL matches (Paramount+ Premium plan), and a library of sports documentaries that explore athletes, teams, and defining moments across different sports.

FAQ

Are these documentaries based on real soccer players and events?

Yes. These documentaries are based on real soccer players and events. The Billion Dollar Goal tells the story of Paul Caligiuri’s goal that helped send the U.S. men’s national team to the 1990 FIFA World Cup. Pulisic follows American soccer star Christian Pulisic. You Don’t Know Where I’m From, Dawg is a documentary about another American great, Clint Dempsey.

Which documentary is good for casual soccer fans?

That depends on what interests you most. For sports history buffs, start with The Billion Dollar Goal. If you want a deep dive into one of the biggest names in American soccer right now, watch Pulisic. And if you want to get an up-close-and-personal look at a legend, You Don’t Know Where I’m From, Dawg is the choice.

Are these documentaries appropriate for non-soccer fans?

Yes. While soccer is at the center of each film, the stories focus on themes that reach beyond the sport. Perseverance, identity, ambition, and personal growth are all recurring themes, making the documentaries accessible to viewers who may not regularly follow soccer.