We are now well into the FIFA 22 cycle, but will we see a FIFA 23 next season?
Well, let us put your mind at ease first, there will be a new football game from EA, we can almost guarantee it.
However, EA's release next year could come under a new name, and by the looks of it a pretty un-exciting one!
"Exploring the idea"
If you weren't already aware of the rumours of EA changing the name of FIFA then let us show you part of the official statement from EA Sports Group General Manager, Cam Weber, that sent the community into a frenzy.
"As we look ahead, we’re also exploring the idea of renaming our global EA SPORTS football games.
"This means we’re reviewing our naming rights agreement with FIFA, which is separate from all our other official partnerships and licenses across the football world."
Pretty conclusive evidence that EA is seriously considering re-naming their third-oldest franchise, and now we have a good idea of what the new name could be.
EA Sports FC
The news that FIFA could be changing its name sent the commuity crazy, with every man and his dog seemingly taking to social media to have their say.
Well, some pretty strong evidence suggests that the new name of the franchise will be "EA Sports FC", in keeping with other titles like PGA Tour and College Football.
Video Games Chronicle has reported the news that EA has "filed video game software trademark applications for ‘EA Sports FC’ with the UK’s Intellectual Property Office and the European Union Intellectual Property Office on October 1 and October 4 respectively."
Well, that seemingly looks settled, but will it have any impact on the game itself?
Rights and licenses
One of the key changes may come in the game's most lucrative game mode, Ultimate Team.
Many fans refer to the game as FUT so that may need to change, although large portions of the community are likely to refer to it like that anyway. Besides, EA Sports FC Ultimate Team hardly rolls off the tongue!
Aside from individual game modes, many of EA's licenses within the game are separate from the name FIFA, so competitions like the UEFA Champions League and CONMEBOL Libertadores will stay.
Individual league should stay the same too, so we don't have to worry about losing the Premier League! With licenses set to remain the same, the name almost seems irrelevant.