FIFA Soccer

Lore & Background

The FIFA series began with FIFA International Soccer on the Mega Drive in late 1993, notable for being the first to have an official license from FIFA. The main series has been complemented by additional installments based on single major tournaments, such as the FIFA World Cup, UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League and UEFA European Football Championship, as well as a series of football management titles. Since the 1990s, the franchise's main competitor has been Konami's eFootball series (formerly known as Pro Evolution Soccer, or PES). FIFA 12 holds the record for the 'fastest selling sports game ever' with more than 3.2 million games sold and more than $186 million generated at retail in its first week of release. The franchise's final release under EA Sports, FIFA 23, was released worldwide on 27 September 2022.

In Their Own Story

The flat-screen TV in the rec room hums with the pre-match tunnel walk. Two friends, controllers gripped tight, watch their squads line up on a rain-slicked pitch that looks almost real. The commentary crackles—familiar voices calling out names you've memorized since you were twelve. One player nudges the other: "You still have that striker from last season's pack?" A grin. A flick of the wrist. The ball rolls out of the center circle, and for ninety minutes, the world outside the apartment doesn't exist. There is only the grass, the crowd, the weight of a through-ball that could change everything.

Reader's Guide

As of 2011, the FIFA franchise has been localised into 18 languages and available in 51 countries. Listed in Guinness World Records as the best-selling sports video game franchise in the world, the FIFA series has sold more than 325 million copies as of 2021. On 10 May 2022, it was announced that EA and FIFA's partnership of 30 years would come to an end upon the termination of their licensing agreement, making FIFA 23 the last entry to the franchise under the FIFA name. As a successor to the FIFA series, EA launched the EA Sports FC franchise, with EA Sports FC 24 being the first installment under the new name.

Did You Know?

• FIFA 12 holds the record for the 'fastest selling sports game ever' with more than 3.2 million games sold in its first week.
• The FIFA series has sold more than 325 million copies as of 2021.
• FIFA 23 was the last entry under the FIFA name, released on 27 September 2022.
• After a four-year hiatus, FIFA returned in 2026 with FIFA Heroes and FIFA World Cup: Launch Edition.