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I never truly grasped before I observed the game with my old man. It happened during a visit to my parents' house at the peak of the World Cup frenzy. Azzurri were in the running, and that was a huge deal to my dad, an immigrant from Abruzzo. Although I perpetually considered the match tedious, his excitement was so contagious that it riveted me to the television. I saw the matrix that day, suddenly understanding all the electrifying complexities the game had to offer and accepting its deep-seated importance. I felt it was vital that Italy claim victory.

It's hard to describe the draw of sports to those who are indifferent. It takes to witness that magical instant where it all makes sense for yourself — or, at the very least, you need a knowledgeable mentor by your side to clarify the confusing rules and expose the true heart of the sport. The past year proved that this is something a video game can pull off. 2025 delivered three great soccer games that dissected the sport in very different, accessible manners.

The Personal Journey: Despelote

The most significant piece of that trifecta is Despelote. This indie game is a coming-of-age story set in South America. Superficially, it's a typical story about a kid finding his way in the 2000s and discovering his voice. However, all of this unfolds against the canvas of an nation-defining historic moment: The national squad qualified for the global tournament, and it is the paramount thing happening in the characters' lives. Soccer matches are on every display TV. They're broadcast during ceremonies. It's the sole topic anyone can focus on. Football is existence.

Within this context, we observe the young hero evolve. He isn't only figuring out where he belongs at a social gathering, but where he belongs within his neighborhood as well. The beautiful game is fundamental to his sense of self, and it's by way of the sport that he uncovers himself as a proud citizen. It's the closest a video game has ever come to helping me understand my own father and the reason he was so glued to the World Cup all those years ago.

The Athletic Core: Rematch

While Despelote focuses on the societal weight of soccer, two other games from this year delve into the intricacies of the sport itself in more digestible ways than FIFA-style simulations. Rematch, the newest game from the studio behind Sifu, delves into the raw physicality of soccer. This online experience deconstructs the game by recasting it as a frantic battle played between compact squads. It draws cues from titles like Rocket League to create an pick-up-and-play match that's centered on fluid cooperation and masterful touch.

My summer was consumed with Rematch for a period this year. It seemed simple during my initial days, but every time I picked it up, I uncovered greater complexity. Instead of just fundamental moves, I mastered how to dodge around defenders to evade a sliding tackle. I mastered how to release the ball to prevent someone from knocking it away. I drilled my skill moves until I could elevate a flashy-looking maneuver into a legitimate evasive action. These myriad advanced mechanics gave me insight into soccer in ways I could never grasp as a occasional fan. I walked away with a greater respect for the critical role physical mastery plays in the sport, finally seeing what a physically demanding pursuit it truly is.

The Tactical Puzzle: Pup Champs

If Rematch revealed the athletic aspect of soccer, Pup Champs charmingly explored the strategic side. This recent release from the studio behind Golf Peaks, Pup Champs is a tactical football strategy title featuring dogs. Each puzzle requires you to maneuver a few pups on a field and guide the ball into a goal. Simple enough, but the challenge stems from the fact that each dog has a specific ability, they can only move a certain number of tiles, and there are obstacles to avoid. Solving a puzzle demands clever thinking and a firm grasp of the playing area. You get the impression like you're coaching a youth soccer team, devising the ideal strategies to lead your dogs to glory. This isn't a realistic interpretation of the sports by any means, but it's a wonderful complement to Rematch.

Looking Forward

Of course, there were also additional titles about soccer, of course. Major series launched as per usual and beloved management sims made their highly anticipated comeback. But, thanks to these particular titles, I spent 2025 engaging with soccer more than I have in years. Games gave me a window into the incredible skill that goes into a sport I'll simply never be very good at (too much running!) and appreciate why soccer matters to millions of people. This represents a notable development in game design I would love to see continue, with more imaginative approaches to athletic titles that seek to communicate the spirit of a game rather than copying it 1:1. And, a few other games did exactly that for different sports this year, whether it was the open-world cycling adventures of Wheel World or the artistic experience of Skate Story. If you don't love sports, there are increasingly more games out there that are more than happy to invite you into the fandom.