The FIFAFranchise is the most widely-sold sports video game ever, with over 300 million copies sold since 1993’s FIFA International Soccer release.
With the release of its latest iteration around the corner, anticipation grows from supporters eager to build all-conquering Ultimate Team sides, complete a “road to glory” career mode with a lower-league team or socialise with friends on Pro Clubs.
There are doubts about FIFA 23’s long-term viability and the new features it will offer. The AthleticWe are here to answer your most pressing questions about the upcoming release.
FIFA 23 is the last FIFA
FIFA 23 will be EA Sports’ last FIFA title, but it will not become the final FIFA title.
Next season FIFA will launch a football video gamein collaboration with third party developers. Though it is not yet clear which developers will be recruited, football’s governing body has confirmed they are planning to launch more titles under the FIFA name in the future, stating that it will “remain forever”.
“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,” said FIFA president Gianni Infantino.
“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.
“The interactive gaming and esports sector is on a path of unrivalled growth and diversification. FIFA’s strategy is to ensure we can make the most of all future options and ensure a wide range of products and opportunities for gamers, fans, member associations and partners.”
On the other hand, Electronic Arts will continue to make football simulator games from next season following the split from FIFA under the new name “EA Sports FC”. The franchise will keep its current path with the popular game modes Ultimate Team, Pro Clubs, and career mode. It will also retain exclusive partnerships with the Premier League, La Liga, Bundesliga, Serie A MLS.
FIFA 23 is cross-platform
EA Sports announced the arrival of cross play last month. This is a long-awaited arrival for those who have longed for the chance to play with their friends across multiple consoles for many years.
Online Friendlies and Ultimate Team, as well as Online Seasons, will be cross-platform available for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series S and Xbox Series X users. Cross-play compatibility is also possible between last-generation consoles PlayStation 4 and Xbox One.
Cross-play means that the Ultimate Team market will look different than previous iterations. There will be three markets. PC and Nintendo Switch users will have their own markets while PS4 and Xbox One will each use the same marketplace. The new-generation consoles will not be able to trade players with older-generation ones online.
Pro Clubs is currently not available for cross-platform play. As one of the most popular game modes over the past decade, fans hope to see it in next year’s iteration.
FIFA 23: Will it have a World CupWhat is the game mode?
FIFA 23 will feature a World Cup mode in line with FIFA 18/Fujito 14, and it will be available as DLC free of charge in November.
All 32 countries will be included in the DLC release, along with 12 Qatari stadiums. The 2014 and 2018 World Cup DLCs included an Ultimate Team aspect — nothing has been confirmed by EA Sports, but it is an exciting thought for fans of FIFA’s most popular game mode.
Alongside the introduction of the Women’s Super League and Division 1 Arkema, the French WSL equivalent, FIFA 23 will also include the Women’s World Cup before the 2023 tournament. It will also be available online. Details about whether this game mode is offline-only will be revealed in due time.
Will JuventusParticipate in FIFA 23
Fans of Juventus will be delighted to hear that Juventus will officially return to FIFA after years of playing under PiemonteCalcio.
Due to an exclusive licensing agreement with Konami’s eFootball franchise, FIFA dropped Juventus’ name, badge, kit and stadium from the game from the previous three iterations of the game — but they are back for FIFA 23.
Fans of the Italian giants will be able to play with stars Dusan Vlahovic and Federico Chiesa, as well as new signings Angel Di Maria and Paul Pogba, under the club’s name.
A statement from FIFA reads: “Juventus’ home stadium — the Allianz Stadium — will return in FIFA 23, authentically recreated alongside the club’s logo and iconic kits.
“Alongside the club partnership, former Juventus midfield stalwart Claudio Marchisio becomes the latest FUT Hero unveiled for FIFA 23. The multiple scudetto winner joins some of the game’s most memorable faces and fan-favourites in returning to the pitch in FIFA 23 Ultimate Team.”
When is FIFA 23’s release date?
FIFA 23 will be released September 30, 2022 according to EA.
FIFA 23 Ultimate Edition buyers will receive three days of early access starting September 27. EA Play Pro members and Standard EA Play members will be able to access the game for free for 10 hours starting September 27.
The FIFA 23 Web App will launch on September 21. This allows users to begin building their Ultimate Team well before the official release date. A day later, the FUT 23 Companion App will be available for Android and iOS.
What official leagues are involved in the game?
FIFA 23 has retained five of the most prestigious European leagues. All are licensed and have bespoke graphics on career mode.
FIFA licenses you to take your club into Europe if you are in career mode. UEFAClub competitions UEFA Champions League is another option. Europa LeagueSuper Cup and FIFA 23 will include the Europa Conference League. West Ham United, HeartsVillarreal, semi-finalists in Champions League
Scotland’s Cinch Premiership is also in FIFA, as well as all three leagues in the EFL. EA Sports is partnering with Serie B in Italy to offer the opportunity to play in the lower levels of football.
It will also contain authentic licenses Argentina’s Primera Division, the Chinese Super League, the Dutch Eredivisie, the Indian Super League, Poland’s Ekstraklasa and more.
Is FIFA 23 going to offer an online career option?
Although rumours suggested that FIFA 23 would include an online career mode (a feature fans eagerly awaited), it won’t be in the game.
Fans of FIFA’s most popular offline game mode will be treated to a new interface and menu, speeding up the time it takes to switch between assessing squads, developing youth players, working in the transfer market and playing matches. There are also more “dynamic moments” in the game, adding fresh cinematic sequences to signing new players and winning trophies.
Another new feature is transfer analysis. This allows users to analyze transfers after they are completed using the AI system.
Yet, we still have to wait for this most talked-about and anticipated new feature in our career mode.
