Since Electronic Arts and FIFA parted ways, many of us have wondered how the sporting game license would be used again on PS5 and Xbox. Now, FIFA president Gianni Infantino is teasing what’s next for players. Not only will it apparently be the “best” entry yet, but rumors claim that NBA 2K24 studio 2K Games is leading development on the tentatively titled ‘FIFA 25‘.
During a recent appearance at the FIFA Congress in Bangkok, The New York Times reports that Infantino expressed that FIFA “will develop a new e-game, because [the] football simulation game is called FIFA for hundreds of millions of children around the world.” Furthermore, Infantino suggests that the upcoming sports game “will be the best” around, but of course, doesn’t to address its direct competition in the form of EA Sports FC.
Infantino adds that when PS5 and Xbox players think of soccer experiences in gaming, that “they play FIFA, it cannot be named something else.” Progression behind the scenes is already underway on FIFA 25 too, as The New York Times‘ report says that FIFA “are developing new partners and a new game” at present. However, the FIFA president is yet to clarify exactly who these partners are working on the new PS5 game and new Xbox game.
Since Infantino’s discussion at the FIFA Congress, a new rumor purports that FIFA is working with NBA 2K24 and PGA Tour 2K23 studio 2K Games on the game. Gaming retailer ‘MohPlay Inc’ claims that “2K has secured the official license from FIFA to create the next FIFA video game”, in a recent social media post. Of course, we’re taking this with a heavy grain of salt, but this is a rumor that was previous making the rounds back in February.
Insider Gaming senior editor Mike Straw suggested earlier this year that “I’m hearing rumors that FIFA/2K are working to announce a partnership for 2K to make an officially-licensed FIFA game.” This is yet to be confirmed by either party, but 2K games is a strong candidate to take over the FIFA mantle. It would mark its first foray in the soccer gaming space, as its portfolio currently contains the 2K series of WWE, PGA, and NBA games, and the recent release of Top Spin 2K25.
The prospect of injecting a fresh spin on the FIFA IP is exciting, but it does leave some concerns on the table. Games from 2K like NBA 2K24 are absolutely riddled with atrocious levels of microtransactions, an aspect that brought the otherwise excellent entry down in our NBA 2K24 review. Features like MyTEAM further bolster a pay-to-win approach, too. If FIFA 25 inhabits any of these traits, it could be a very divisive launch for the franchise’s new era.
Either way, 2K Games will at Summer Game Fest next month to reveal a new installment of one of its “biggest and most beloved franchises.” Our money is on Mafia 4.
In other gaming news, PS Plus is removing one of the greatest games in Rockstar Games’ library (and replacing it with another), and XDefiant Double XP weekend is live right now, so level up your weapons quickly while you can.