Few moments in soccer history have caused as much chaos and controversy as France’s infamous 2010 World Cup incident, and Netflix is revisiting the whole event in The Bus: A French Football Mutiny. The explosive new documentary goes deep into the shocking player revolt that stunned the sports world. It also exposed tensions, national fury, and the collapse of one of the biggest powerhouses in world football. 

The excitement for the documentary is already building, and many viewers are now eager to know when it will be released on Netflix.  

Netflix does not have the rights to the FIFA Men's World Cup taking place in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico this summer. However, that has not stopped the streamer from filling the channel with soccer content a month ahead of the big kickoff on June 11. The Bus: A French Football Mutiny is one of them, which will be released on May 13, 2026.

The teaser made its debut in January 2025 at the Next on Netflix event. The anticipation has been very high for this project ever since. This documentary looks back on the scandal of the French national team at the 2010 World Cup. 

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The movie revisits one of the darkest chapters in French football history and explores how tensions inside the squad spiraled into a global sporting scandal. 

The Bus: A French Football Mutiny (2026) is a Netflix documentary on the World Cup scandal. It revolves around the story of the French team that went on strike in Knysna, South Africa, refusing to train. They protested over the dismissal of teammate Nicolas Anelka. It ended in a disastrous, headline-making collapse of team unity and an early exit from the tournament. 

Pauline Dauvin, VP at Netflix, said that it was one of the big events and had to be experienced like a thriller. It focuses on the 2010 French football team going on strike during the World Cup in protest against the decision made by coach Raymond Domenech. It was such a serious scandal that it became a national political issue. The documentary promises to give an eyewitness account of the events.

It will also include interviews with the then-Sports Minister, Roselyne Bachelot, and key players such as William Gallas.

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Alongside archival footage and behind-the-scenes details, the documentary also features several key figures who witnessed the chaos unfold from the inside. 

The Bus: A French Football Mutiny (2026) includes interviews with key participants, like  Raymond Domenech, Patrice Evra, and former Minister of Sports Roselyne Bachelot. It is directed by Christophe Astruc. Additionally, the players’ strike was addressed by writer Jérôme Fritel. 

With its explosive subject matter, firsthand interviews, and behind-the-scenes glimpse into one of soccer’s most infamous meltdowns, The Bus: A French Football Mutiny is shaping up to be one of Netflix’s most talked-about documentaries, specifically sports, of 2026. The documentary looks back at the mayhem of France’s calamitous. It also promises to provide viewers with a greater insight into the scandal that rocked the footballing world and left an indelible mark on the sport.

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Will you be watching The Bus: A French Football Mutiny when it premieres on Netflix? Share your thoughts in the comments.