FIFA president Gianni Infantino has provided an update on the development of world football governing’s body new video game after the end to its partnership with EA Sports, insisting it “will be the best”.
EA Sports FC 2024 was released in September 2023 as the brand’s successor to the FIFA series.
Advertisement
EA Sports had produced the FIFA video game series since 1993 but announced an end to its partnership with FIFA in 2022 after negotiations broke down.
Following the announcement, FIFA stated it was engaging with partners over the development of a “major new simulation football title for 2024”. This is yet to be released, but Infantino promised it was in the pipeline.
Speaking at the FIFA Congress in Bangkok, Thailand, he said: “We will develop a new e-game, because (the) football simulation game is called FIFA for hundreds of millions of children around the world.
“When they play (a) football simulation game, they play FIFA, it cannot be named something else.
“We are developing new partners and a new game which, obviously as everything we do, will be the best. So get ready for the new FIFA game.”
EA Sports and FIFA had collaborated for nearly three decades, producing an annual version of the football video game plus various spinoffs.
The relationship was symbolic but also lucrative. FIFA earned a reported $150million a year for the use of their name — a substantial chunk of the $268m the organisation generated in brand licensing revenues.
EA’s revenues, meanwhile, hit $7.4billion (£6bn) in 2022, with the FIFA series viewed as a key driver of that success
FIFA 2023, released in September 2022, was the 29th and final instalment of the video game series and featured Paris Saint-Germain forward Kylian Mbappe and Chelsea striker Sam Kerr on the front. It was the first FIFA game to feature women’s club football.
The split from FIFA was separate from the other 300 licensing agreements EA holds with partners such as the Premier League, UEFA and La Liga, meaning FC 24 has retained the official look and feel of the FIFA series.
Speaking in March 2022, Infantino said: “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.”
GO DEEPER
From FIFA to FC 24: Rebranding one of sport’s most iconic franchises
(Jakub Porzycki/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Subscribe to The Athletic for in-depth coverage of your favorite players, teams, leagues and clubs. Try a week on us.
Ali Rampling is a News Editor at The Athletic. Prior to joining The Athletic, she worked as the Women’s Football Editor at 90min. Ali attended Loughborough University, and originates from Ipswich. Follow Ali on Twitter @AliRampling
