What Is EA Sports FC and How Is It Different From FIFA?
EA Sports FC is the football video game series that replaced FIFA starting in 2023, after Electronic Arts ended its long-running licensing deal with FIFA. In practice, it is the same core game under a new name: the gameplay, game modes, and most club and league licenses carried over. What changed is the branding, the menus, and the absence of the FIFA name and its World Cup content. If you played FIFA 23, you already know how to play EA Sports FC.
Why the Name Changed
For roughly 30 years, EA published its football games under the FIFA name, which it licensed from world football's governing body. When that agreement expired, EA chose not to renew it and rebranded the series as EA Sports FC.
The key point for players: the split was with FIFA as a brand, not with the clubs, leagues, or players. EA kept its separate agreements with most of those, which is why the game still looks and feels like the FIFA you remember.
What Stayed the Same
Most of what defines the series is unchanged:
- Core gameplay – Same engine lineage, same controls, same general feel. Skills, tactics, and shooting mechanics carry over.
- Game modes – Ultimate Team, Career, Clubs, and Volta all returned.
- Licenses – The Premier League, LaLiga, Bundesliga, Serie A, Ligue 1, MLS, and many others are still fully licensed, along with thousands of real players.
- Ultimate Team structure – Packs, SBCs (Squad Building Challenges), chemistry, and the transfer market work as before.
- Annual release cycle – A new entry each year, with a roster and ratings refresh.
If you are coming from FIFA, your muscle memory and understanding of the modes transfer directly.
What Changed
The differences are mostly about presentation and a few specific content areas:
| Area | FIFA (before) | EA Sports FC |
|---|---|---|
| Name | FIFA | EA Sports FC |
| FIFA World Cup mode | Included in some titles | Not included (no FIFA license) |
| Menus & UI | FIFA branding | New EA Sports FC visual identity |
| Some competitions | FIFA-run events | Replaced or absent |
| Cover & marketing | FIFA branding | EA Sports branding |
The most noticeable loss is official FIFA World Cup content. Some tournaments that were tied to the FIFA brand are no longer present in the same form, though many domestic and continental club competitions remain licensed.
The Main Game Modes Explained
Ultimate Team (FUT)
Build a squad from player cards, earn or buy packs, complete SBCs, and compete online. This is the most popular and most monetized mode. It is where most ongoing content updates happen.
Career Mode
Manage or play as a single club or player across seasons. Best for players who want a single-player, long-term progression experience without microtransactions.
Clubs (Pro Clubs)
Create a custom player and team up with others online, each controlling one player. Social and team-oriented.
Volta
Small-sided street football with a more arcade feel. A lighter, casual alternative to standard matches.
Which Competitions Are Still Licensed
EA retains licenses for most major club competitions, including:
- Premier League, EFL, LaLiga, Bundesliga, Serie A, Ligue 1, Eredivisie, MLS, and more
- UEFA club competitions (Champions League, Europa League, and related)
- Many national teams and their players
What is generally not included is FIFA-branded content such as the FIFA World Cup. Exact competition lists can vary by year, so check the specific title's feature list if a particular league matters to you.
Where a Newcomer Should Start
If you just picked up the game, here is a practical order:
- Play a few Kick Off matches to learn controls and difficulty.
- Try Career Mode if you prefer single-player and want to learn tactics without pressure.
- Try Ultimate Team if you enjoy collecting, building squads, and online competition — but be aware of pack spending.
- Try Clubs or Volta if you want a social or casual experience.
Start with whatever matches how you like to play. There is no wrong entry point, and progress in one mode does not lock you out of others.
Bottom Line
EA Sports FC is FIFA renamed, not FIFA reinvented. The gameplay, modes, and most licenses are intact; the FIFA name and its World Cup content are gone. For a new player, that means you can follow any FIFA guide or tutorial and still apply it here — just expect different menus and branding, and check whether a specific competition you care about is licensed in the current release.