‘FIFA 23’ Spotlights Female Player On ‘Ultimate Edition’ Cover For First Time

Last year, popular soccer video game FIFA introduced the first-ever English-speaking female commentator to FIFA 22, which saw Alex Scott break the glass ceiling for female pundits in the sport. 

Now, in a similar breakthrough, Electronic Arts (EA) has unveiled the cover stars for the ‘Ultimate Edition’ of FIFA 23, and this time, Chelsea Football Club’s Sam Kerr will feature alongside Paris Saint-Germain’s Kylian Mbappé as the first woman to grace the cover. 

According to Engadget, Kerr is one of the best female players in the game, having been shortlisted for every iteration of the women’s Ballon D’or since its inception, and came in third in last year’s voting. Plus, she’s won the UK’s Women’s Super League three years running. 

Line producer Matt Lafreniere told GamesRadar Kerr’s “personality and values” reflected the company’s, and with how well she represents both Chelsea and her country of Australia, the game was “really excited” to welcome her as part of the team. 

As previously reported, FIFA 23 will be the swan song of the franchise’s storied history, with one of the world’s most well-known video games slated to change its name after nearly 30 years of partnership between EA and FIFA comes to a close. 

Perhaps by breaking stereotypes and featuring a female soccer player on the cover for the first time is the best—though bittersweet—way to go out. 

Catch the game’s premiere on July 21, 2022.

[via Engadget and GamesRadar, cover image via EA Sports / FIFA]