Behind-the-scenes series follows national team captains such as Thiago Silva and Luka Modric in the build up to the competition

FIFA+ Captains

FIFA+ has released the first season of Captains ahead of the World Cup. 

Named as part of its launch slate earlier this year, the docuseries follows national team captains around the world as they look to qualify for the competition in Qatar next month. Brazil and Chelsea defender Thiago Silva, his club teammate and Gabon skipper Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, and Croatia and Real Madrid midfielder Luka Modric are among those who let cameras follow them behind-the-scenes over the qualification campaign.

Produced by Fulwell 73, the eight-episode series tackles how players juggle family life with the expectations of a nation, aiming to shine a light on the complex psychology behind performing at the very highest level. Leo Pearlman, Ben Turner, Gabe Turner and Richard Thompson are executive producers.

Series two has already been commissioned, with a set of soon to be revealed captains to be followed at the World Cup itself. 

Captains followed in series one

Pierre Emerick Aubameyang (Gabon)
Luka Modric (Croatia)
Thiago Silva (Brazil)
Hassan Maatouk (Lebanon)
Brian Kaltack (Vanuatu)
Andre Blake (Jamaica)

Charlotte Burr, FIFA director of strategy, digital and FIFA+, said: “FIFA+ was created to connect fans closer to the game they love, and this is why Captains: Season 1 makes us so excited – never before has a series provided such an intimate look into the turbulent journey of making it to a World Cup and made us feel more connected than ever to some of world football’s biggest names.”

Fulwell 73 partner Leo Pearlman added: “Fulwell’s first ever documentary was about six unknown football freestylers searching for Diego Maradona. Fast forward 15 years and to be making a documentary series about six iconic national captains, aiming to lead their teams to the FIFA World Cup is a dream come true.

“But this is far more than just the story of wins and losses on the pitch, it’s an investigation into leadership, mental and physical pressure and how one operates when the hopes of a nation rest on ones shoulders. This is the human condition put under the microscope, through the intense lens of sport, scrutiny and expectation at the very highest level.”

Silva commented: “For me, the FIFA World Cup is the pinnacle of achievement in football, and to be there alongside my fellow countrymen is the greatest honour on the planet.

“We left everything on the pitch to qualify, and to have our journey documented so intimately in Captains is an experience like no other. The series captures our emotions, frustrations, ups and downs like few have done before.”