FIFA 23: Breaking Down Standard, Ultimate Covers and Newest Features

Capping off 30 years of FIFA, EA Sports is delivering a number of franchise firsts before switching to the EA Sports FC moniker. And the last rendition of the iconic series title is wearing those new features proudly, from cover to gameplay.

From the outset, fans who purchase the Ultimate Edition of FIFA 23 will notice two faces front and center: French forward Kylian Mbappé and Australian forward Sam Kerr. Kerr's addition marks the first time in FIFA history that a woman graces the game's global cover, and that inclusion is extended in-game.

In another FIFA first, the 2022-23 title will feature women's club teams—allowing players to compete with England's Women's Super League and France's Division 1 Féminine.

The pool of international women's teams is also expected to expand, as FIFA 23 reflects the growing real-world hype of this time period in the lead-up to the men's and women's 2023 World Cups. With the game releasing on September 27, 2022, fans will be able to get a headstart on the international football frenzy by playing through both the men's World Cup in Qatar and the women's World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.

That emphasis on international competition makes Mbappé's spotlight an obvious one. The 2018 tournament was essentially his breakout party, as the then-19-year-old scored four goals to help Les Bleus win their second-ever World Cup.

Now, the Paris Saint-Germain forward shares FIFA 23's Ultimate Edition cover and holds down the Standard cover single-handedly, just a year after his 28 goals for Paris Saint-Germain led Ligue 1 in scoring.

Speaking of sharing, the game is also making franchise history by delivering the potential for shared competition and Ultimate Team trading. FIFA 23 will feature cross-play across all systems, from last- and current-gen consoles to PC.

Mechanical advancements like the game's HyperMotion2 animation technology and new playing options like Ultimate Team "Moments" mode should be intriguing new additions for fans as well. The former is said to double the in-game animations and allow for the potential of new mechanics—ranging from outside-of-the-foot passes to backheel tackles. The latter will bring a new option for FUT solo grinders, with short-and-sweet scenario gameplay for players, packs and other rewards.

Still, the biggest additions in FIFA 23 are the women's clubs and cross-play. Before leaving 30 years of FIFA behind and moving toward the future of EA Sports FC, the series seems intent on having the deepest talent pool in simulated soccer and the most expansive player community possible.