FIFA 23 will be released later this year, but it is still yet to be confirmed which player will feature as the game's cover star.
Kylian Mbappe recently signed a new contract with Paris Saint-Germain after months of uncertainty over the 23-year-old's future. Mbappe had been heavily linked with a move to Real Madrid this summer, revealing that the World Cup winner had held talks with Madrid and Liverpool but opted to stay with the Ligue 1 champions.
Mbappe has been the main cover star for EA Sports' FIFA franchise for the past two years, on FIFA 21 and FIFA 22, and is expected to stay as the cover star for FIFA 23. It has not been confirmed yet, but Mbappe's choice to stay at PSG could increase his chances of staying as EA Sports' choice to be the cover star for FIFA 23.
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EA Sports has confirmed that their future football video game will be titled 'EA Sports FC' following the release of FIFA 23. The game publisher has assured fans that their new game named EA Sports FC, which is expected to be released in 2023, will still include popular game modes such as Ultimate Team, Pro Clubs and Volta Football.
EA has also confirmed that due to over 300 existing licensing agreements that are in place with various leagues and associations around the world, EA Sports FC will feature more than 19,000 players, more than 700 teams, more than 100 stadiums and 30 leagues, which will all be fully licensed. Meanwhile, FIFA has confirmed that they will continue to operate in the gaming market and launch new football video games, developed with third-party studios and publishers, providing more choice for football and gaming fans.
So, with EA confirming they will continue over 300 existing licensing agreements with many of football's top clubs and players, who could feature as the cover star for FIFA 23 and beyond?
Kylian Mbappe is the strongest candidate to be the FIFA 23 cover star considering his reputation in the game as one of the world's best players. The World Cup winner is considered PSG's top superstar despite playing alongside Lionel Messi, Neymar, Sergio Ramos and co.
Having featured as the cover star on FIFA 21 and FIFA 22, Mbappe is likely to feature as the cover star for FIFA 23 as well later this year. Nike also recently announced they are partnering with EA Sports for EA Sports FC which could boost Mbappe's cover star bid for FIFA 23 with the France international being a Nike athlete too.
EA Sports have confirmed partnerships with UEFA, Premier League, Bundesliga, Serie A and La Liga following the decision to end their partnership with FIFA after a successful 30 years. EA did not announce that they had agreed to continue their partnership with Ligue 1 moving forward after FIFA 23, which could see Mbappe be replaced as the cover star for their football video game simulation titles.
PSG, Liverpool, Man City, Milan, Inter and Real Madrid all have exclusive deals with EA so their players are most likely to feature as a cover star. Players that could be in contention to become the FIFA 23 cover star or first cover star of EA's new football franchise title 'EA Sports FC' include Real Madrid's Vinicius Junior, Manchester City's Phil Foden and Liverpool's Trent Alexander-Arnold.
However, both Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo are unlikely to be featured as a cover star for FIFA 23 or beyond. Messi is the cover star for Konami's eFootball series, whilst Ronaldo is an ambassador for UFL, a soon-to-be-released football simulation game that will hope to compete with FIFA 23. Manchester United also have an exclusive partnership with Konami for eFootball.
FIFA 23 will hit the shelves this autumn, while the first edition of EA Sports FC is expected to be released in 2023.
Who do you think will be the FIFA 23 cover star? Let us know in the comments.
