The future of footballing games is set to change! With EA and FIFA going their separate ways after the release of FIFA 23, EA Sports FC will likely be the go-to title for those wanting to have a similar experience to previous FIFA incarnations.
This split paves the way for future games to expand in different directions, with promotional material for EA Sports FC including many images from the women's game.
It looks like women's football could feature heavily in the upcoming game, so find out all the details and what this could mean for EA Sports FC below.
The Split
For a while now it has been rumoured that EA and FIFA would be ending their partnership, with the news now becoming official.
Apparently, EA was unhappy with how much control and revenue FIFA wanted over the game, with FIFA announcing they were happy to look to other gaming companies to partner with.
Whatever the reasons behind not extending their deal, we know one thing for sure - FIFA 23 will be the last game produced by the two.
Many feared what this could mean for EA Sports FC, EA's future football game, in regards to licences, but there is no need to fret.
EA has assembled a huge portfolio of partners over the years that will stick with them for the new game, with the only exclusive rights FIFA offered being the 'FIFA' brand and use of the World Cup.
Both parties have stated their intentions to continue making their own football games going forward, which could make for an exciting future!
Expanding Everywhere
EA is aware that their massive fanbase won't want to see a total overhaul in the game and has already stated that the usual game modes - including Ultimate Team, Career Mode, Pro Clubs, and VOLTA - will return in EA Sports FC.
Instead of replacing, they are looking to add to their future game, stating:
"Our unique licensing portfolio [...] that we’ve continued to invest in for decades will still be there [...] [t]hat includes exclusive partnerships with the Premier League, La Liga, Bundesliga, Serie A, the MLS – and more to come.
"we’re excited to work with a large and increasing number of partners to expand to new authentic experiences that bring joy, inclusivity and immersion to a global community of fans."
Not only could this mean we see the inclusion of more varied and lower leagues such as the English National League, but we should see an expansion into the women's game too!
Eagled-Eyed
With EA announcing their new EA Sports FC game was on the way, many started getting forensic on the media the company had released alongside it.
That included one Twitter user, Marko Djordjevic, who pointed out:
Still analyzing this image and surprised no one is reporting the fact that @ManCityWomen is featured (looks like @OLfeminin, as well). Pretty certain we're getting Women's Leagues and probably #UWCL which is pretty big.
The inclusion of women's leagues would be massive news, with international teams the only ones included in previous games.
In the image above, we think we've spotted the Tottenham Hotspur, Lyon, Manchester City and PSG women's sides, as well as the Australia, USA and Canada national teams.
Building upon the women's game has been something we've been waiting on since the international teams were first introduced in FIFA 16, and it looks like EA Sports FC is finally going there.
If women's clubs are involved then we could also see them available to manage in Career Mode.
We don't know if EA will have all the necessary rights in place to launch a full Career Mode including women's teams, so even a UEFA Women's Champions League tournament mode would be a big step, showcasing the elite clubs.