In FIFA 21, we broke the one hundred mark for the number of legendary ex-footballers immortalised as Icon cards in Ultimate Team. While the FIFA 22 release date creeps closer, we’ve had confirmation that the FIFA 22 Icon roster is set to get even bigger.
We’ve had several years now to get to know Icons such as Ruud Gullit, Ronaldo, Pele, or Diego Maradona, but we’re expecting to see yet another influx for FIFA 22. From players who set the turf alight many decades ago, to some more recently retired legends, FIFA 22 is bound to offer the biggest Icon line-up ever.
But who will be added, what will their ratings be, and what else have teasers and leaks told us about new Icons in FIFA 22? We’ve pooled everything together into one handy place so you can see for yourselves.
FIFA 22 new Icons
So far, four new FIFA 22 icons have been confirmed. The likes of former Real Madrid and Spain goalkeeper Iker Casillas and legendary Brazilian defender Cafu have had their names and ratings confirmed by EA Sports.
Here are the confirmed new Icons in FIFA 22:
Cafu
Brazilian right-back Cafu is one of the confirmed new Icons in FIFA 22, and he will likely become the best RB or RWB option in the entire game.
With 88 RB, 90 RB, and 93 RWB variations, Cafu is one of the highest-rated Icons in the entire lineup. With immense pace and defending, plus excellent dribbling and passing stats, Cafu is the perfect attacking full-back.
Frustratingly, Cafu is extremely similar to existing Icon Carlos Alberto, who is also a 93-rated, Brazililan RB with a similar stats spread. It’ll likely come down to in-game stats and weak foot and skill moves ratings to separate the two.
Iker Casillas
Legendary Spanish goalkeeper Iker Casillas is joining the Icon lineup in FIFA 22, and will look to challenge the likes of Lev Yashin and Peter Schmeichel as the most desirable Icon goalkeeper.
Casillas is a great all-round GK, with no apparent weaknesses on either of his three versions, based on the card stats.
Casillas will have 87, 89, and 92-rated cards in FIFA 22 Ultimate Team.
Robin van Persie
While we certainly won’t complain that a player as iconic as Robin van Persie is entering the Icons roster, he does join an already packed group of Dutch strikers and centre-forwards.
Cruyff, Bergkamp, van Nistelrooy, van Basten, Kluivert – all are currently FIFA 22 Icons, and van Persie will face stiff competition.
With his stats spread, he looks extremely similar to van Basten (incredible finishing, excellent dribbling, with average pace for an Icon striker) so it will be interesting to see who is the more popular in FIFA 22.
Wayne Rooney
Rooney’s inclusion as a FIFA 22 new icon has been rumoured for a while, but EA has finally confirmed it. This English superstar, who went on to play for some of the biggest clubs in the Premier League, winning five titles along the way, boasts 86, 88, and 91-rated cards.
His stats are impressive too and revolve around his impressive build, pace, and strike rate.
New FIFA 22 Icon leaks
We know that more FIFA 22 new icons are on the way.
Dataminers and leakers have already correctly predicted that Casillas, Cafu, Rooney, and van Persie would be added to the Icon lineup, and there are a couple more players that they think could be joining them.
Remember the below names are not confirmed by EA as being FIFA 22 Icons, but they are likely candidates based on leaked information.
| New Icon | Nationality | Rumoured Ratings |
| Alfredo Di Stéfano | Spain/ Argentina | 88, 90, 92 |
| Adriano | Brazil | N/A, N/A, N/A |
The only one of these three players to not have their name featured in the recent FIFA 21 database update was Brazil legend Adriano, and his potential inclusion in FIFA 22 is disputed among sources.
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EA just updated the code to add some new icons
Cafu, Iker Casillas, Wayne Rooney, Robin van Persie, and Alfredo di Stéfano have been added. Each one has three versions in the code.
— FUT Watch (@FutWatch) July 6, 2021
As you can see, we’re not totally sure which nationality Alfredo Di Stéfano will be representing in FIFA 22, as the striker played for three different international teams between 1947 and 1962: Argentina, Colombia, and Spain.
His most prominent spells were with Argentina and Spain, and he made the most appearances for the latter. Spain is looking the most likely nationality, but there’s always a chance we could see our first multinational Icon who represents different countries in different versions.
Where and when? FIFA 22 release date, rumours, and more
While these are the only traditional FUT Icons to be rumoured so far, there are several other historic players that could be coming to FIFA 22 as Hero cards.
FIFA 22 Club Hero Icons
In FIFA 22 Ultimate Team, we will be treated to not only Icons but also FUT Hero cards too. These act as a more affordable card type for those that want to have iconic former players in their squads.
We have a full FIFA 22 Heroes guide with all the information and a full list of the 19 Hero players. Some of the names include Robbie Keane, Freddie Ljungberg, Joe Cole, and David Ginola.
That’s all we know about new Icons in FIFA 22 at the moment. With its already large roster of Icons swelling once again, and FUT Heroes being thrown in the mix too, we are really spoilt for choice when it comes to legendary footballers in FUT.
