The inaugural FIFAe World Cup featuring Football Manager wrapped up in Liverpool on September 1, 2024, making history with Indonesia emerging as the first-ever champion. The event, which took place at the Exhibition Centre Liverpool, was a thrilling showcase of strategic football management as teams from across the globe competed in a four-day tournament.
Indonesia’s Path to Victory
Indonesia’s victory was spearheaded by manager Ichsan ‘Miracle’ Taufiq and assistant manager Budi ‘Wednesday’ Muhamad Manar Hidayat. The duo led their nation through a series of intense matchups, culminating in a dominant final against Germany, securing their place in history. Indonesia’s unpredictable strategies were key to their success, catching their opponents off guard throughout the tournament.
Your FeWC featuring Football Manager champions – INDONESIA 🇮🇩🏆
Watch the celebrations now live now 👉 https://t.co/e2bR9Ubotn 🎥 #FameYourGame #FIFAe pic.twitter.com/RiT45A63Ov
— FIFAe (@FIFAe) September 1, 2024
Their journey to the title saw them defeating South Africa in the semi-finals with an impressive 8-2 aggregate score, showing their tactical superiority. In the final, Indonesia kept up the momentum, overcoming Germany, who had come off a 5-1 aggregate win over South Africa. With a flawless execution, Indonesia cemented their legacy as the first FIFAe World Champions.
A Unique Tournament Format
This event, part of FIFA’s broader “Next Gen” initiative, featured a unique format that challenged managers and their assistants to navigate the complex world of football management. Over five days, teams managed everything from media relations to squad selections, adding depth to the competition.
In total, 20 teams participated, each with a manager and an assistant, making this not just a battle of football tactics but a test of overall managerial acumen. Teams played in a “career mode” format, managing a partner club through a group stage before advancing to knockout rounds.
Highlights and Notable Participants
Germany, led by manager Sven ‘Svonn’ Goly and assistant Tery ‘FMZweierkette’ Whenett, made a formidable run to the finals. Their 5-1 aggregate victory over South Africa in the semi-finals was a highlight, but they fell short in the title match against Indonesia. England, another strong contender, made it to the semi-finals under the guidance of manager Arron ‘RDF_Tactics’ Falloon, but were knocked out by Indonesia.
The event drew significant attention, with appearances from football legends like John Terry and Sam Allardyce, as well as prominent figures from the Football Manager community, including Miles Jacobson and streamer Kevin Chapman.
Two English footballing icons – Sam Allardyce 🤝 John Terry
Follow the Final of the FeWC featuring Football Manager live now https://t.co/e2bR9UbWiV 📷#FameYourGame #FIFAe pic.twitter.com/XjErCahxUg
— FIFAe (@FIFAe) September 1, 2024
The event also featured the Fame Your Game Cup, a mobile eFootball competition. Thawatchai ‘Talonesui’ Noongam from Thailand emerged victorious in this inaugural mobile esports showcase, showcasing his talent against top eFootball mobile players from around the globe.
The 2024 FIFAe World Cup featuring Football Manager marked a new chapter in esports, blending the worlds of traditional football management with competitive gaming. Indonesia’s triumph in this historic tournament showcases not only their skill but also the growing prominence of football esports on a global stage.
