Common Sense Media Review
By Megan Andersen
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Parents behave badly as kids play soccer in Dutch comedy.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 13+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Football Parents
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
FOOTBALL PARENTS is a Dutch comedy about a soccer team of 12- and 13-year-old kids with overbearing parents who interrupt halftime, contest their coach, and pick fights whenever they can. The kids are directly affected by the behavior, ignorant over-enthusiasm, and malice of the adults. Despite all of the adult bickering and overbearing behavior, can the young athletes continue to play soccer and steer clear of drama?
Is It Any Good?
If you're a family with sporty kids, you'll likely recognize the characteristics (more like caricatures) of the parents in this series. While the Football Parents are extremely hard to like for a variety of reasons (from screaming at their kids and coaches to letting a child remain locked in an equipment room so he can't play) the series does present enough character arc that you can explain—though not defend or forgive—certain behaviors. Football Parents may be the antithesis of Ted Lasso, but there are a few moments of emotional growth if you hang on until the very end of the season.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about whether they see any of the behaviors shown in Football Parents in the sports families they know. How does it make the kids feel when parents scream, contest calls, and fight with each other? What kind of behavior would they like to see from parents in the stands while they compete?
One main character exhibits "toxic positivity" and extreme honesty as she delivers truths that hurt children and parents. Have you known a person who seems genuinely oblivious to how their behaviors and words affect others? How do you navigate relationships with people like that?
One of the student athletes has a very famous footballer father. Do you think that before seeing what his skills are, that he should be automatically given a better position on the team? How relevant are the jobs of parents when it comes to performances of their kids?
TV Details
- Premiere date : May 16, 2025
- Cast : Eva van Gessel , Ilse Warringa
- Network : Netflix
- Genre : Comedy
- Topics : Activism ( Gender equality ) , Competition , Family Stories ( Dads , Moms , Single Parents ) , School ( High School ) , Sports ( Soccer )
- TV rating :
- Last updated : November 4, 2025
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