FIFA Announces First Post-EA Mobile Game Featuring NFTs

FIFA has unveiled FIFA Rivals, its first official video game since ending its partnership with EA Sports.

Developed by Mythical Games, the mobile soccer game is set for release in the summer of 2025 on iOS and Android devices.

The game will feature arcade-style soccer gameplay and include blockchain-based collectibles, making it a departure from FIFA’s traditional gaming offerings.

What is FIFA Rivals?

FIFA Rivals is a free-to-play mobile game that lets players build and manage soccer teams and compete in real-time matches.

The game incorporates optional blockchain technology, allowing users to collect and trade digital player assets in the form of NFTs. This approach differs from FIFA’s previous games by combining traditional soccer gameplay with blockchain-based features.

This is FIFA’s first official game since it ended its nearly three-decade-long partnership with EA Sports in 2022. The split led EA to rebrand its flagship soccer series as EA Sports FC, whilst FIFA explored new opportunities in gaming.

FIFA Rivals - What to Expect — Source: FIFA Rivals

What can we expect from FIFA Rivals?

The game is being developed by Mythical Games, the studio behind NFL Rivals. The team is using its Mythos blockchain—built on Polkadot technology—to power the digital collectibles in FIFA Rivals.

FIFA has previously explored blockchain technology through initiatives like FIFA Collect, an NFT platform hosted on Algorand and Polygon. In addition, the organization has partnered with blockchain companies to release collectible projects and games during the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

FIFA Rivals is the first attempt to integrate blockchain technology directly into an interactive gameplay experience. However, the inclusion of NFTs in gaming remains a controversial topic. Whilst some see potential in blockchain technology for creating new revenue streams and player ownership, others have raised concerns about environmental impacts and speculative markets. FIFA and Mythical Games are presenting NFTs as optional features to address these criticisms whilst appealing to a broad audience.

The game is scheduled for release in summer 2025. Its performance will likely influence FIFA’s future gaming projects and its ongoing engagement with blockchain technology.