9 Christian soccer movies (Inspiring sports films)
While only a few Christian soccer movies have clear Gospel messages, there are a number of “footballer” films that share subtle themes of faith. These inspirational sports movies are often overlooked in “best of” Christian movie lists.
My husband loves soccer — “football” as the rest of the world knows it — and can’t wait for the World Cup to start this year. I’m excited, too!
Our boys played when they were young, and we love how soccer (football) teaches family values, such as teamwork, and character traits such as integrity and perseverance.
There are many faith-based parallels to draw!
Here are the nine top soccer movies with Christian themes for your family.
Looking for a soccer movie with a Christian message? "For the Glory" is a must-watch. It's a faith-based biography of Kurt Kuykendall, who had dreams of playing basketball in the Olympics.
Facing setbacks and a family tragedy, Kurt turned to his Christian faith — and found a new calling as a soccer goalie. It's an inspiring story the whole family can enjoy.
Looking for a youth group movie? Consider "For the Glory," which highlights God's faithfulness and new paths.
Young people may also enjoy "Pelé: Birth of a Legend," a secular movie about a Christian athlete from Brazil.
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Quick guide to Christian movies about soccer
Table of Contents ▼
Discover great Christian football movies (ahem, soccer, here in the United States!) in this curated list of films the entire family can enjoy.
Please note: Many are secular movies that share the story of Christian athletes or have strong Christian themes.
Youth soccer
"Little Angels" (PG) – A football coach shifts to the soccer field to fulfill community service hours and learns humility in this lighthearted comedy. (Watch trailer)
"Golden Shoes" (PG) – With his father missing and his mother in the hospital, a young boy must overcome bullying to pursue his soccer dreams. (Watch trailer)
"On Angel’s Wings" (PG) – After a youth soccer star is injured, the water girl gets a chance to play thanks to a boost from an angel. (Watch trailer)
College soccer
"For the Glory" (PG) – The true story of a college athlete and his unexpected switch from basketball to soccer as God takes what seems like a failure and creates a victory. (Watch trailer)
Pro soccer
"Goal! The Dream Begins" (PG-13) – The story of a young player, Santiago Muñez, and his rise to become a professional footballer with Newcastle United through perseverance and divine guidance. (Watch trailer)
"Goal II: Living the Dream" (PG-13) – Newcastle United football star Santiago Muñez battles temptations while relying on his faith to stay grounded. (Watch trailer)
"High Expectations" (PG) – After a player is cut from his father’s professional soccer team, he must overcome challenges to reach his dreams. (Watch trailer)
World Cup soccer
"Next Goal Wins" (PG-13) – A struggling team finds redemption through faith and teamwork in the World Cup qualifiers. (Watch trailer)
"Pelé: Birth of a Legend" (PG) – Brazilian soccer player Pelé’s journey to World Cup glory is fueled by family faith and determination. (Watch trailer)
Top 9 Christian soccer movies (Inspiring faith-based films)
Please note: Streaming availability is subject to change and may vary by region.
Check JustWatch for up-to-date streaming information.
1. Pelé: Birth of a Legend (2016)
Rating: PG
A young boy, Pelé (born Edson Arantes do Nascimento), grows up in poverty in Brazil and discovers his extraordinary soccer talent.
The movie is based on the true story of professional footballer Pelé as he leads his team and country to their first World Cup victory in 1958. (Pelé is the childhood nickname of Edson Arantes do Nascimento)
Throughout his journey, Pelé’s Christian faith — especially his Catholic upbringing — guides his hard work, resilience, and commitment to family values.
By the end of the movie, you'll join the entire nation of Brazil in cheering for their national hero!
Why watch: The film portrays Pelé’s real-life Catholicism, including gratitude to God for his gifts and Pelé’s sense of divine purpose.
Cast: Pele, Rodrigo Santoro, Vincent D'Onofrio
Where to watch:
Stream: Netflix
Free with ads: Tubi
Rent or buy: Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, or DVD
➡️ Watch the trailer ⬅️
2. Goal! The Dream Begins (2005)
Rating: PG
Santiago Muñez, a young Mexican-American immigrant in Los Angeles, is discovered by a soccer scout and given a chance to try out for Newcastle United in England.
Santiago is a great soccer player, but he battles doubt, injury, and grief after his father dies of a heart attack.
“Goal!” is an uplifting, family-friendly story of an underdog pursuing his dream with a sense of divine providence.
Why watch: The movie depicts Catholic faith scenes, including church, prayer, and signs of the cross before games.
Cast: Anna Friel, Kuno Becker, Marcel Iures, Sean Pertwee, Stephen Dillane
Where to watch:
Stream: Disney+
Rent or buy: Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, or DVD
➡️ Watch the trailer ⬅️
3. Next Goal Wins (2023)
Rating: PG-13
Down-on-his-luck soccer coach Thomas Rongen is sent to train the American Samoa national soccer team, which is historically one of the world’s worst.
As head coach, Thomas slowly earns the players’ trust and helps them find hope and unity. Against the odds, the team scored its first-ever goal in the 2014 World Cup qualifiers.
Why watch: Set in American Samoa, the film features the community’s Christian faith, including team prayers and church scenes.
Cast: Elisabeth Moss, Michael Fassbender, Will Arnett
Where to watch:
Stream: Hulu or Disney+
Rent or buy: Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Vudu, or DVD
➡️ Watch the trailer ⬅️
4. On Angel’s Wings (2014)
Rating: Not rated (family-friendly)
McKenzie, a shy and clumsy water girl on a youth soccer team, is unexpectedly thrust into a game when the star player is injured.
With help from angelic intervention and three wishes, McKenzie finds confidence and inspires her team.
As one of the few Christian movies about soccer, this film is an uplifting addition to a family movie night. It’s based on the book "Little Angels" by Michael Morpurgo.
Why watch: Its message of God’s plan, prayer, and identity in Christ.
Cast: Bill Cobbs, Gerald Webb, Reginald VelJohnson, Robin Givens, Sean Huze
Where to watch:
Stream: Pure Flix
Free with ads: Tubi
Rent or buy: Amazon Prime Video, or DVD
➡️ Watch the trailer ⬅️
5. Goal II: Living the Dream (2007)
Rating: PG-13
A sequel to “Goal!”, this movie continues the story of Santiago Muñez, who’s now a rising professional footballer.
When Santiago transfers to Real Madrid, however, he faces the temptations of fame, wealth, and personal crises.
A secular movie with Christian themes, Santiago must balance relationships and professional pressure to stay grounded.
Why watch: It continues the first film’s Catholic undertones, including themes of humility before God, temptation, and reliance on faith for strength.
Cast: Chelsie Casagrande, Danny Cornett, Jason Burkey, Michael Landers, Robby Stone
Where to watch:
Stream: YouTube TV (limited)
Rent or buy: Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, or DVD
➡️ Watch the trailer ⬅️
6. For the Glory (2012)
Rating: Family-friendly
Kurt Kuykendall, a rising college basketball star, sees his Olympic goals crumble.
As his dreams unravel, he rediscovers his faith in Christ — and his unexpected talent on the soccer field.
This uplifting Christian movie is the true story of how Kurt overcame adversity, including the challenges of a chaotic home and an alcoholic mother, to pursue his Olympic dreams in an unexpected way.
It's a powerful Christian film that’s ideal for young people or youth groups.
Why watch: It’s a powerful story of salvation, overcoming grief through faith, and using your talent for God’s glory.
Cast: Chelsie Casagrande, Danny Cornett, Jason Burkey, Michael Landers, Robby Stone, Nancy Fondriest
Where to watch:
Stream: Pure Flix
Free with ads: Tubi
Rent or buy: Amazon Prime Video, or DVD
➡️ Watch the trailer ⬅️
7. High Expectations (2022)
Rating: PG
Jack is a talented soccer player whose life unravels after his mother’s death.
After being cut from his father’s elite soccer team, Jack must confront his anger and grief to find healing and purpose.
Why watch: Its emphasis on perseverance, integrity, and family reconciliation.
Cast: Ally Brooke, Kelsey Grammer, Taylor Gray
Where to watch:
Stream: Netflix
Free with ads: Tubi
Rent or buy: Amazon Prime Video, or DVD
➡️ Watch the trailer ⬅️
8. Golden Shoes (2015)
Rating: Family-friendly
A young boy, Christian Larou (Eric Roberts), pursues his dream of becoming a great soccer player like his hero, Cristiano Ronaldo, a Portuguese professional footballer.
Christian struggles with his father, who is missing in action, and his mother, who is in the hospital. The movie shares how he perseveres through hardship and overcomes bullying to pursue his soccer dreams.
Why watch: This secular family drama has positive themes of perseverance and a clear message of anti-bullying.
Cast: Christian Koza, John Rhys-Davies, David DeLuise, Montel Williams, Vivica A. Fox, Aedin Mincks, Dina Meyer
Where to watch:
Stream: STARZ via Amazon, Hulu, Philo, Roku, Apple TV
Rent or buy: Amazon Prime Video, Google Play, Vudu, or DVD
➡️ Watch the trailer ⬅️
9. Little Angels (2025)
Rating: PG
Jake Rogers (Dean Cain) is an arrogant Division I college football coach who is suspended for making sexist remarks about female athletes.
For his community service, Jake begins coaching a ragtag youth soccer team of 12-year-old girls. These young ladies teach him the value of teamwork and family as Jake learns humility.
Why watch: It’s a lighter-rated movie about redemption.
Where to watch:
Stream: Angel Studios
Rent or buy: Amazon Prime Video or Apple TV
➡️ Watch the trailer ⬅️
Great Christian movies to watch
Christian sports movies
More faith-based films
➡️ 47 Christian movies based on true stories
➡️ Read our Christian review and reflection of “Wake Up Dead Man: Knives Out.”
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Mackenzie Ryan Walters is the author of “Faith Storytellers: Unleash the Power of Your Story” and the editor of the Faith Storytellers website, which publishes Christian testimonies and curated lists of Christian books, gifts, and more. A national award-winning former education journalist who’s covered a presidential campaign and been inside NASA, Mackenzie is passionate about lifting up and sharing the story God is writing in the world.
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