The Women’s World Cup Will Be Included in FIFA 23 Video Game

The Women's World Cup has finally secured its place within the prestigious FIFA video games; EA Sports revealed that a new update expected on July 20 will include all Women’s World Cup teams. For far too long, women's soccer has been relegated to the sidelines of mainstream recognition, but their inclusion in this video game franchise, which reaches millions of households globally, suggests the tide is turning.

“The NWSL’s integration into EA SPORTS FIFA 23 is a monumental milestone for the league, the players, and millions of football fans around the world as we continue pushing boundaries for the women’s game,” said National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) Commissioner Jessica Berman in March.

Women's soccer has been fighting an uphill battle for equality for years. Despite tremendous achievements on the field, like the United States Women’s National Team recently becoming the most successful team in the tournament’s history and individual women players achieving impressive records, the sport has faced numerous challenges, including limited media coverage, unequal pay, and a lack of investment and resources. This marginalization has created a cycle of invisibility and undermined the dreams of aspiring female athletes worldwide in the past.

The NWSL’s perseverance, however, has recently been paying off; the NWSL has already experienced a recent, significant boost in viewership, with game attendance skyrocketing by approximately 80% and ticketing revenue surging by over 125% in 2022. Sponsors and advertisers are also increasingly recognizing the value and marketability of women's sports; according to Forbes, brands such as Adidas, Visa, and Nike have increased their support for women's soccer, recognizing the growing commercial potential of the sport.

The addition of the NWSL in a video game franchise that attracts millions of players, therefore, is the latest opportunity for the league to increase its exposure to a vast global gaming community, predominantly consisting of younger demographics. And this exposure is meaningful: Research from The Sports Journal indicates that exposure to video games significantly influences the interest in sports among younger audiences. This surge in viewership and interest could very well attract more investment, sponsorships, and media attention among younger audiences as well.

While this development is cause for celebration, however, it is crucial to remember that there is still much work to be done. The inclusion of the Women's World Cup in FIFA 23 is just one step toward achieving gender parity in soccer. It serves as a rallying cry for continued progress and calls upon sports organizations, media outlets, and fans to actively support and promote women's soccer throughout the year, not just during the tournament.