#1 out of 15
sports1d ago
No FIFA License, No Problem? EA Sports Fakes It for World Cup
- EA Sports FC 26 introduces a new 48-team international tournament mode to celebrate international football this summer.
- EA says it has full national team licenses for 41 of the 48 participants, with some nations using generic kits at launch.
- The move follows EA’s 2022 split with FIFA over licensing fees, prompting branding changes but ongoing fan engagement efforts.
- FIFA has pursued new licensing deals for World Cup content with Netflix Games, Roblox, and Rocket League.
- Sportico notes EA’s branding shift reflects ongoing tensions between IP rights and live-sport demand.
- EA noted that the World Cup figure remains a potential growth driver for EA, even without a FIFA commercial agreement.
- The World Cup content strategy includes both licensed and generic kits depending on nation.
- EA’s press materials emphasize fan engagement and the role of games in discovering clubs and players.
- FIFA is pursuing licensing expansions with other gaming platforms as part of Digital Football Strategy.
- Analysts observe that the World Cup content remains a draw despite licensing gaps.
- FIFA president Gianni Infantino aims to outperform EA in the gaming market with its own products.
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