Netflix has spent the last few years building an impressive library of sports documentaries, from the intimate portrait of Pelé in Pelé to football stories that explore the sport far beyond the final whistle. Now, with the 2026 FIFA World Cup bringing the game back to North America, the streaming giant is revisiting one of football's most defining tournaments through USA 94: Brazil's Return to Glory. A victory that ended a 24-year wait for football's most coveted prize and restored the Seleção to the summit of the sport. 

For fans who remember the grainy broadcasts of Pasadena nights and Romário's electric movement between defenders, this documentary is like opening a time capsule. Without revealing too much, the film appears set to pull viewers inside the dressing room, onto team buses, and into moments that television cameras never captured

Since this is a documentary, the cast is made up of the players and rivals who lived the story firsthand.

Key Brazilian interviewees:

Romário

Bebeto

Dunga

Jorginho

Gilmar Rinaldi

Branco

Raí

Zinho

Márcio Santos

Viola

Key rival interviewees:

Gianluca Pagliuca

Demetrio Albertini

Behind the camera, the project is led by director, writer, and producer Luis Ara, while Pablo Riera serves as editor. The documentary is built around exclusive modern interviews and rare archival material captured by the players themselves during the tournament. Rather than relying solely on match footage, Ara reconstructs the campaign through the eyes of the men who experienced every moment of pressure, doubt, and celebration firsthand.

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Just when viewers think they know the entire story of Brazil's fourth star, the documentary promises another layer. 

The documentary chronicles Brazil's tumultuous journey to World Cup glory. It begins with the scars of the 1990 World Cup disappointment and a nerve-wracking qualification campaign that left supporters questioning whether the Seleção could ever return to the heights of the golden 1970 generation. From there, the film charts the transformation of the squad under captain Dunga's leadership and the attacking brilliance of Romário and Bebeto.

The story reaches its dramatic climax at the Rose Bowl in California, where Brazil faced Italy in a tense final that ultimately went to penalties. More than six hours of never before seen footage recorded by Jorginho and goalkeeper Gilmar Rinaldi places viewers inside the camp, revealing moments that have remained hidden for more than three decades. 

USA 94: Brazil's Return to Glory premiered globally on Netflix on May 7, 2026. Directed by Luis Ara, the feature arrives as part of Netflix's expanding collection of football documentaries and historical sports stories. The release is particularly timely given the return of the FIFA World Cup to North America in 2026, making it a fitting look back at the tournament that brought Brazil its long awaited fourth star. 

It captures a pivotal chapter in Brazil's football history through voices and footage that have remained unseen for decades. As the world turns its attention toward another World Cup, few stories feel more fitting than the one that restored the Seleção's crown.

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What are your memories of Brazil's 1994 World Cup triumph? Share your thoughts in the comments.