FIFA 23 set to add NWSL just in time for new season

It didn't make much sense when EA Sports announced that women's club soccer was coming to FIFA 23 before launching with only the Women's Super League (England) and Division 1 Féminine (France) while omitting the National Women's Soccer League, but that's reportedly about to be remedied with a free March update ahead of the league's new season.

Maybe EA Sports actually did us all a favor since many of us have put the game down since its release over five months ago. With NWSL preseason hype building ahead of the campaign's kick-off on March 25, the draw of guiding one of the division's 12 teams to glory in the 2023 NWSL Championship is just what we needed to pick up those sticks again.

If you currently want to play with American stars in FIFA 23, your only option is the limited roster of the USWNT. This update brings tons of new players and teams into the game, and although there's no news regarding stadiums, we already know that BMO Stadium (Angel City FC), Red Bull Arena (NJ/NY Gotham FC), Lumen Field (OL Reign) and Providence Park (Portland Thorns) are in FIFA 23. 

The reveal comes from Insider Gamer, which says the NWSL mode will be added on either Mar. 14 or 15. It doesn't seem like this update will include the confirmed 2023 Women's World Cup mode (much like the service EA Sports provided for the men's tournament in Qatar), but expect that one closer to the tournament's opening day on July 20.

While it's interesting to note that the Women's World Cup mode represents EA Sports' final piece of licensing with FIFA before the end of their partnership and the game's transition to EA SPORTS FC, it's clear that by saying no to FIFA's demand for $1 billion the developer is now able to pursue other licensing routes with the money its saved.

Maybe we'll see a greatly expanded UEFA Women's Champions League, Spain's Liga F and Germany's Frauen-Bundesliga in EA SPORTS FC come September. And if EA Sports is willing to add Wrexham AFC to its "Rest of World" stable, then I think Minnesota Aurora FC deserves the same treatment.