EA Sports have dominated the video game soccer world with their FIFA franchise for nearly 30 years, and that relationship will soon come to an end, according to ESPN and FIFA (Fédération Internationale de Football Association) President Gianni Infantino.
This was hinted in fall of 2021, that EA and FIFA were trying to renegotiate the license, with FIFA wanting more money for the exclusivity deal.
EA Sports’ last FIFA title will come to an end this year with FIFA 23, and will be dubbed EA Sports FC moving forward (FC stands for “football club” you silly Americans…). EA Sports still has strong agreements with some of the best soccer leagues in the world, from the English Premier League, Major League Soccer in the US, La Liga in Spain, and of course the UEFA Champions League in Europe, however it will not feature any content with the name FIFA in it, including the World Cup. This support for EA Sports new rebranding has made waves across Twitter, as many of the world’s biggest soccer clubs posting “We’re In The Club”, and a note to “learn more on July 2023.”
In the meantime, FIFA President Infantino promised a wide array of soccer video games and experiences leading up to the World Cup this December of 2022, and beyond. He ensured that “…the only authentic, real game that has the FIFA name will be the best one available for gamers and football fans.” FIFA is poising itself to an ever changing dynamic in video games, by wanting to offer many different types of experiences within video games, and e-sports competitions as well, instead of shoehorning itself to one video game and one developer. FIFA also coincided this news with the reveal of its new streaming service FIFA+. You’ll be shocked to find out that the streaming service is free.
It remains to be seen as to who will benefit most from this break, EA Sports or FIFA, as EA has already established itself as the premier soccer video game simulator, with no notable or stiff competition for the last couple decades (you tried eFootball, you really did…). This deal could pave the way for new and upcoming developers to shake the game up, and also keep EA on their toes to push and innovate the sports genre.
Now that mom and dad got a divorce, who do you think will get the better deal here, EA or FIFA? Or is there a new challenger that will enter the ring and blow everyone away? Sound off in the comments below. You can also head over to our Discord at the link here, or use the QR code below to join right away!
