Even after parting ways with FIFA, EA might not be done with the world’s biggest football event just yet. At the Bloomberg Screentime conference in Los Angeles, EA Entertainment President Laura Miele dropped a hint that the door to FIFA isn’t completely closed. “We will look to potentially do World Cup partnerships,” Miele said, pointing to the possibility that the iconic tournament might make a comeback in EA’s new franchise, EA Sports FC.
EA Sports FC launched in September 2023 as EA’s fresh take on football gaming, marking a major break from their long-running FIFA series. This shift happened after FIFA reportedly pushed for more money and tighter branding control, which EA wasn’t keen on. Instead, they set out to build their own name, and so far, EA Sports FC has been extremely successful.
But there’s one big thing missing—the World Cup. According to EA Vice President DJ Jackson, that’s the only element fans won’t see in EA Sports FC due to the split. “The only thing that we don’t get through not having the FIFA relationship anymore is the World Cup competitions every four years,” Jackson told Bloomberg Businessweek. And with the 2026 World Cup set to be hosted across North America, it’s no wonder EA might be reconsidering a partnership, even if just for the tournament itself.
Interestingly, FIFA has recently partnered with EA’s competitor, Konami, for its new FIFAe World Cup, using eFootball as the official game, a twist few would have seen coming just a few years ago
For now, EA Sports FC is stepping into its own spotlight, building a new identity. But as hype builds for the next World Cup, especially with its unique North American setting, a collaboration with FIFA could add a layer of excitement that many fans would love.
