EA SPORTS is discontinuing its popular game franchise FIFA after failing to reach an agreement with the football governing body.
FIFA 23 will be the final edition of the game before relaunching the franchise under the name EA Sports FC.
Paris Saint-Germain’s Kylian Mbappe is Fifa’s current cover star Credit: GETTY EA Sports cited the expensive licensing agreements and strategy pivots as reasons for moving on from their agreement with Fifa.
Fifa had reportedly demanded double the $150million (£121m) annual fee they collect from EA to renew the contract, according to The New York Times.
The new game franchise will still feature most top football teams, leagues, stadiums and players, as EA Sports has separate licensing agreements with them.
On the change, EA Sports executive David Jackson told BBC: “In the future our players will demand of us the ability to be more expansive in that offering.
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Since its first release in 1993, the game has been an international classic with creative covers, realistic kits, players and gameplay.
The game has generated more than £16billion in sales during its 30-year run.
To mark the end of an era, SunSport ranks the top ten most iconic FIFA covers.
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10. FIFA 14 – Lionel Messi Then Barcelona star Lionel Messi was the cover star for FIFA 14.
Messi’s celebratory pose in front of a grey background and grand stadium can only see it rank tenth on SunSport’s list.
Imagine a similar colour with the colour scheme of recent Fifa cover designs… it would most definitely find itself higher up.
Messi was the cover star for Fifa 14 and his iconic celebration in Barca colours sees it make our top ten Credit: EA SPORTS 9. FIFA 06 – Wayne Rooney & Ronaldinho Ronaldinho made regular appearances of FIFA covers in the early 2000’s.
Manchester United’s Wayne Rooney accompanied the Brazilian trickster on the front of the game.
The rain effect makes it unique.
The rain effect added something unique to the Fifa 06 cover Credit: EA SPORTS 8. FIFA 2001 – Paul Scholes Man Utd’s Paul Scholes as the cover star in a retro kit. Need we say more?
Scholes in a retro kit was a cool feature. But it’s a bit bright with the white background Credit: EA SPORTS 7. FIFA 2004 – Alessandro Del Piero, Thierry Henry & Ronaldinho This is the last time Ronaldinho appears on this list, we promise.
FIFA 2004 featured THREE of the world’s best players at the time.
Juventus’ Alessandro Del Piero, Arsenal’s Thierry Henry and of course Ronaldinho.
The action poses are a nice touch.
Ronaldinho in his Brazil colours is a nice touch Credit: EA SPORTS 6. FIFA 97 – David Ginola A majestic front cover featuring a majestic player in David Ginola.
Only downside – but arguably making it more iconic – is the missing badge.
Absolute class.
Ginola starred on the front of a simple but effective Fifa 97 cover Credit: EA SPORTS 5. FIFA 99 – Dennis Bergkamp The Flying Dutchman, Dennis Bergkamp, in an iconic Arsenal kit added some needed colour to the cover.
A nice shot of a wizard with the ball under his spell.
A Bergkamp action shot with real life crowds is something not seen often in Fifa covers Credit: EA SPORTS 4. FIFA 2000 – Sol Campbell An interesting choice of cover star in Sol Campbell, with the central defender picked ahead of the usual strikers.
Simple but effective with the colours.
It’s also nice to see an action shot of the player looking at the ball instead of staring off into the distance.
Campbell was a random cover star but the Fifa 2000 edition makes SunSport’s top four Credit: EA SPORTS 3. FIFA 18 – Cristiano Ronaldo This is Cristiano Ronaldo’s first and only appearance in SunSport’s FIFA top ten cover list.
The passion on Ronaldo’s face is authentic. He plays with his heart on his sleeve.
Dark background brings the gorgeous Real Madrid kit into focus.
Ronaldo wears his heart on his sleeve and his passion is brilliantly on display Credit: EA SPORTS 2. FIFA 2002 – Thierry Henry Thierry Henry appears on our list again.
FIFA 2002 brings into focus another iconic Arsenal kit from the early 2000’s.
At that point in time, Arsenal were one of the teams to beat.
A proper pose from the electric forward.
Henry got his own solo feature on the front of Fifa 2002 Credit: EA SPORTS 1. FIFA 2003 – Roberto Carlos, Ryan Giggs & Edgar Davids The undisputed champion of FIFA covers is the 2003 edition of the game.
It featured Roberto Carlos, Ryan Giggs and Edgar Davids.
Davids’ iconic goggles had to appear on this list somewhere… they simple had to.
The seriousness of the players’ poses almost draw a potential buyer into a staring contest. Screams, ‘what are you waiting for? Buy me already’.
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I work at Nando’s – here are the customers that come into the restaurant Carlos and Giggs have Icon cards on Fifa’s latest edition but Davids doesn’t. Maybe it’s time to introduce the former midfielder.
They’ve also brought out Hero cards for the likes of Joe Cole and Antonio Di Natale. Surely he can be given one of those?
The Fifa cover list wouldn’t be complete without Davids’ iconic goggles Credit: EA SPORTS Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
