When EA Sports split with FIFA a few years ago to release EA Sports FC, I thought it would be a bigger deal. I knew the gameplay would still be there. EA Sports had spent nearly thirty years to become one of the top-selling sports titles. I’ve been playing EA Sports FIFA/FC games on-and-off since the 90s, and it all started on my Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES).

I really got back into it these last two years with the latest EA Sports FC releases (25 & 26). What I’ve learned in over fifty hours of playtime shared over these two games is that nothing has really changed. The game modes, the players, the many leagues are all still there. Along with the predatory Ultimate Team mode, which I don’t participate in.

One noticeable change was finally realized this year with the FIFA World Cup, which is currently happening with daily matches in Canada, Mexico, and the United States. FIFA is currently loaning their license to any game studio or publisher that will pay for it. I receive weekly emails about new “officially licensed” FIFA games or in-game events.

EA Sports had to come out with some kind of FIFA World Cup tournament mode, but what can they do without FIFA’s blessing? This year, they handled it in the best way possible. They released a FREE update to EA Sports FC 26 called The World’s Game, which features World Cup-style tournaments without mentioning FIFA or The World Cup by name. Still, it’s basically the same thing.

In late 90s/early 00s, EA Sports would release a separate EA FIFA: Road to the World Cup game allowing players to choose their favorite country and play through the World Cup experience from qualifying matches and onward. Real fans had to buy two separate games to play as their favorite club and country.

The World’s Game mode is just a World Cup tournament from the group stages on, but that’s all I need. I don’t need to spend my time playing through multiple friendlies, qualifying matches, and pre-World Cup tournaments. I just want to start with the group stage and go. It’s nice that EA Sports isn’t trying to monetize this mode as a paid DLC — they make enough money off of Ultimate Team in all their sports titles.

The World’s Game mode was also released at the perfect time. First, it’s just in time to play matches alongside the actual World Cup — I just made it through the Group Stage with Team USA. Second, I had just completed my first year as the Chelsea FC manager (winning both the Premier League and the UEFA Champions League), so it was a great time to jump into this new game mode.

It seems like FIFA was the big loser in ending their partnership with EA Sports after over twenty years. They are still making tons of money every way they can, but at least EA Sports FC seems to be doing just fine without them, plus they don’t have to be associated with another terrible organization — FIFA.

EA (Electronic Arts) is also not so great as an organization, but releasing The World’s Game as a FREE update gives them some points for now. Now bring back EA Sports BIG!!!