In a potential game-changing move for the soccer sim market, 2K Sports may have scored the official FIFA license to develop and publish the next installment in the massively popular footie franchise.
According to an unverified report from online retailer @mohplay_inc_, “the partnership is confirmed, and 2K will be developing a new football game series” under the FIFA brand. The explosive rumor suggests 2K is eyeing a stunningly quick turnaround timeline, allegedly planning to release “FIFA 2K25” later this year ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
While the claim remains unsubstantiated from official channels, it does align with rumblings from earlier in 2023 that 2K was actively pursuing licensing talks with FIFA after EA announced last year it would be rebranding its long-running soccer franchise as “EA Sports FC” starting in 2023.
https://twitter.com/mohplay_inc_/status/1793985090231451777
Respected industry insider NickBaker of Insider Gaming previously stated he was “hearing rumours that FIFA/2K are working to announce a partnership for 2K to make an officially-licensed FIFA game.” At the time, Baker cautioned any potential deal was far from being finalized.
Should the reports prove accurate, it would mark a seismic shift in the soccer sim landscape. The FIFA series published by EA Sports has utterly dominated the genre for three decades, with Pro Evolution Soccer/eFootball from Konami providing its only real competition over the years.
Adding an entry from the 2K Games label – publisher of the wildly popular NBA 2K franchise – would disrupt EA’s long reign while fulfilling FIFA’s desire to have its licensing attached to a AAA product going forward.
Fans have reacted with surprise, excitement and skepticism over the possibility of 2K developing an authentic FIFA-branded soccer experience. While some have questioned the rushed “FIFA 2K25” launch timeline claim, others are thrilled at the prospect of EA facing legitimate competition in the space beyond eFootball.
2K Games has secured the FIFA video game license, according to @mohplay_inc_
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EA, for its part, has expressed optimism about the newly rebranded EA Sports FC series after the name change. The publisher revealed EA Sports FC 24 netted an impressive 11.3 million players in its first week of availability – a “biggest launch period” in franchise history.
However, the ability to market its product as the only “official” FIFA simulation could prove incredibly lucrative for 2K, should this rumor of securing those licensing rights materialize. Whether that manifests in 2025 or further down the road, a three-way tussle between EA Sports FC, eFootball and a licensed 2K-produced FIFA game could be on the horizon to greatly elevate the virtual pitch.
