A host of licenses are set to change hands once FIFA 23 rolls around, with new teams coming and going with great frequency.
Serie A is a league that has seen its fair share of license disputes in previous years, and we're sorry to say that things are about to get worse.
Whilst powerhouses Juventus are set for a return in FIFA 23, could the mix of licensed and un-licensed sides make Serie A everyone's least favourite league?
Italian Nightmare
Serie A is set to undergo a major change in FIFA 23, with a number of clubs moving away from their license deal with EA Sports.
AC Milan has signed a deal with Konami, meaning they will no longer be a licensed club after FIFA 23.
The Italian powerhouses are the latest club to move away from EA Sports, with Napoli also set to be unlicensed in FIFA 23.
Whilst the potential return of Juventus signals some good news for FIFA moving forward, we can't help but feel this mix of licensed and unlicensed sides will only prove to be detrimental over time.
A Strange Mix
Unlike the Premier League, Ligue 1 and the Bundesliga, Serie A do not lend its full license package to EA Sports.
With many career mode players voicing their frustration with the likes of Roma and Juventus being absent in their licensed form in FIFA 22, is Serie A becoming the opposite of a fan favourite?
A league of rich history and footballing class is gradually being ground down by the license battle, with licensed kits, stadiums and team names being a fundamental part of preserving FIFA's immersion.
AC Monza, a newly-promoted side to the Serie A, have also moved away from EA Sports and signed a deal with eFootball, likely leading to another team featuring in FIFA 23 without their official name or kits.
Fan Frustration
Ultimately, license battles only serve to the detriment of the fans and the final product.
The absence of big sides like Juventus makes the game feel incomplete, especially when you consider how much emphasis is placed on the Champions League license package.
The same can be said for stadiums like Bayern Munich's Allianz and Barcelona's Nou Camp, both of which haven't featured in FIFA for a number of years.
Whilst we understand that games need special quirks to boost sales, ripping apart leagues and splitting them between licensed and unlicensed only serves to make them feel disjointed.
Serie A faces a battle to stay on the good side of FIFA fans, as the league will undoubtedly be at its most strained in FIFA 23.
Explore new topics and discover content that's right for you!
FIFA