EA’s FIFA Series Is Turning Into EA Sports FC

It was only a week after FIFA 22 launched back in October that we heard the news about Electronic Arts potentially separating from the popular FIFA brand. All of this began after the former put out a press release directly mentioning this consideration. One week later, there was a report that FIFA wanted to make some changes for the licensing renewal that would net them double the amount of money they were already receiving.

As obvious as the writing on the wall was, we now know that their nearly 30-year business partnership will indeed be ending. A new press release from EA confirmed that the EA Sports FIFA series will be renamed EA Sports FC in 2023. The next game in the FIFA series, FIFA 23, is still expected to launch in Fall and will be the final entry with both EA and FIFA.

For those that are worried about their favorite aspects disappearing, EA has made sure to confirm that the only thing missing will be the name. This is possible since their license for the FIFA name is unrelated to the licenses for everything else such as players and teams. Their post aims to relieve anyone’s worries with the following:

“Everything you love about our games will be part of EA SPORTS FC – the same great experiences, modes, leagues, tournaments, clubs, and athletes will be there. Ultimate Team, Career Mode, Pro Clubs, and VOLTA Football will all be there. Our unique licensing portfolio of more than 19,000+ players, 700+ teams, 100+ stadiums and 30 leagues that we’ve continued to invest in for decades will still be there, uniquely in EA SPORTS FC. That includes exclusive partnerships with the Premier League, LaLiga, Bundesliga, Serie A, the MLS – and more to come.”

According to a BBC interview with EA Sports’ vice president, David Jackson, an expected improvement for the games going forward will be focusing on broader experiences and moving the brand in a different direction. These ideas were kept vague aside from mentioning “watching and creating content“. However, it does seem that the ideas weren’t possible under the FIFA license.

FIFA meanwhile announced its own intention to not let EA or Konami’s eFootball corner the market. The governing body of the sport plans to team up with yet-to-be-announced studios and developers for new non-simulation football games. They’re also looking for those interested in working with the brand and developing a new simulation football title for 2024.

FIFA’s president, Gianni Infantino, had the following to say in their report: “I can assure you that the only authentic, real game that has the FIFA name will be the best one available for gamers and football fans. The FIFA name is the only global, original title. FIFA 23, FIFA 24, FIFA 25 and FIFA 26, and so on – the constant is the FIFA name and it will remain forever and remain THE BEST.”

It’s unknown whether that last bit is meant to be a reference to their annual award ceremony or just thinly-veiled passive-aggressiveness. What will be interesting looking ahead is seeing if players will migrate to EA’s new title with the names and modes they love, or if the FIFA brand will be able to keep players loyal. At the very least, competition is typically a good thing and this should lead to more variety among football-related video games.