Quick Links:
Key Highlights:
- FIFA launches new eSports tournament using Rocket League.
- 16 countries to compete in vehicle-based football/soccer game.
- Move follows end of FIFA’s partnership with Electronic Arts.
A New Era for FIFA eSports
FIFA, the world’s top football governing body, is kicking off an exciting new chapter in its eSports journey. The organisation has announced that its popular FIFAe World Cup will now be played using Rocket League, a fun and fast-paced video game where cars play football.
For many years, FIFA partnered with Electronic Arts (EA) to make the official football video games.
These titles were used in previous FIFAe World Cups. But in 2022, FIFA and EA decided to go their separate ways. This left the governing body looking for a new game for its eSports tournaments.
The upcoming FIFAe World Cup will invite 16 countries to take part. Each country will have a team of three players, plus one substitute. Here’s how it will work:
- Countries will be chosen based on how many top Rocket League players they have.
- Each country can hold its own tournament to pick their best players.
- The main tournament will be played in a 3-vs-3 format.
Some of the countries likely to be involved include:
- United States
- France
- Germany
- Brazil
- Saudi Arabia
- England
Many people think FIFA’s decision to use Rocket League is clever. Here’s why:
- Huge Player Base: Over 60 million people have registered to play Rocket League since it launched in 2015.
- Popular to Watch: The 2023 Rocket League World Championship had nearly half a million viewers at its peak.
- Fresh and Exciting: It’s a new take on football that might attract younger fans.
What FIFA Says
Christian Volk, who’s in charge of eSports at FIFA, said:
“The FIFAe World Cup with Rocket League starts a new chapter for us. It gives FIFA’s members a chance to compete in one of the most popular eSports games. We want to grow our football eSports world and create big stages for all communities to show off their skills.”
FIFA is working hard to set up this new tournament. They’ll use their website, FIFA.GG, to host qualifying rounds. This will help them find the best Rocket League players from each country.
Meanwhile, EA isn’t sitting still. They’ve renamed their football game to EA Sports FC and are creating their own eSports tournaments.
This includes competitions for the Premier League, Major League Soccer, and UEFA Euro 2024.
What is Rocket League?
Just in-case you’ve never crossed realms into the madness that is Rocket League, don’t worry, we can explain exactly what it is.
Imagine a football match, but instead of human players, you have cars zooming around the pitch. These aren’t ordinary cars – they’re rocket-powered!
Players control these cars to hit a giant ball into the opponent’s goal. It’s like football and racing mixed together, creating a unique and thrilling game.
The Bigger Picture
This move shows how eSports are becoming more and more important in the world of sports. Many traditional football clubs, like Liverpool and Manchester City, already have professional Rocket League players. It’s a way for these clubs to connect with younger fans who love video games.
FIFA’s decision to use Rocket League opens up new opportunities. The game is very popular on streaming platforms like Twitch, which could help FIFA reach even more people.
While the switch is exciting, FIFA hasn’t given up on traditional football games. There are rumours that they might work with another company, 2K Sports, to create a new FIFA title. This could be ready in time for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America.
This eSports tournament marks a bold new direction and a positive one at that. Let us know your thoughts on this surprising news story by leaving a comment below.
Source – esports insider