FIFA 23 news has been slow-moving after EA decided not to host its annual Play Live event in June, which traditionally served as our first look at the new technologies and features that'll grace this year's iteration. However, on Monday we got our first look at the FIFA 23 Ultimate Edition cover, featuring PSG's Kylian Mbappé and Chelsea's Sam Kerr.
The reveal also confirms a rumor (since Kerr is in her Chelsea kit) that for the first time ever, FIFA 23 is set to feature women's leagues and clubs after only previously offering select international sides. It seems like we'll see teams from the FA WSL (England), NWSL (United States), Frauen-Bundesliga (Germany) and Division 1 Féminine (France).
Watch the Throne.
Kerr's presence marks the first time in FIFA history that a woman has featured on the global cover. In the United States, Alex Morgan was on the cover of FIFA 16 alongside Lionel Messi while Canada's version had Christine Sinclair.
This is Mbappé's third straight year on the cover. Eden Hazard was on FIFA 20 with Cristiano Ronaldo before him.
It's very fitting that both Kerr and Mbappé should grace the cover of FIFA's most expensive edition (usually retailing for $99.99) given their standing as the highest earners in the women's and men's games. This is the bougie edition.
There's also a shoutout to "HyperMotion 2 Technology" on the cover. HyperMotion made its debut in FIFA 22 and brought a different gameplay experience to those on next-gen consoles with thousands of new animations and refined realism.
In theory, HyperMotion 2 should make a good thing great, and FIFA 23 — the last in the series before becoming EA Sports FC from the summer of 2023 — will mark a glorious end to a golden era.
The game's full reveal is scheduled for Wednesday, July 20.
Presenting your #FIFA23 Cover Stars:@samkerr1 and @KMbappe ⭐️⭐️
Two phenomenal forces up front.
One ultimate strike partnership.See the full reveal on July 20 ➡ https://t.co/yjXnlCteDR pic.twitter.com/oOWyqoqBzB
— EA SPORTS FIFA (@EASPORTSFIFA) July 18, 2022
