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FIFA 23 is fast approaching with an official FIFA 23 release date soon to follow.
However, there’s one thing on FIFA fans’ minds right now – and that’s whether or not this year’s game will have a World Cup mode.
FIFA 23 marks the end of the long-running partnership between EA and FIFA and apparently will have more teams, leagues, and players than ever before.
NOW READ: Here’s everything you need to know about FIFA 23
This has sparked quite a bit of excitement but we all know the World Cup is coming at the end of 2022, leaving many to believe World Cup Mode will feature in FIFA 23.
FIFA 23 World Cup Mode
World Cup Mode featured as an update for FIFA 18 and leaks suggest it will be a similar story for FIFA 23.
The add-on first arrived for FIFA 14, and lets players take any qualified country to glory, with all the latest squads, kits, and stadiums being added.
EA also added an Ultimate Team update where you could create a FUT using qualified World Cup nation players and compete online in a zhuzhed-up World Cup.
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FIFA 18 saw a new addition to the World Cup Mode known as ‘Icons’. Icons were the World Cup version of Legends but it had a bit of an adverse effect, leaving many FUT squads with smilar players and chemistry.
FIFA 23 World Cup Mode release date leak
FUTZONEFIFA, a source with a long history in FIFA news, stated FIFA 23 World Cup Mode will be coming to the AAA game in late November 2022.
This makes sense when you look at the start time for the Qatar World Cup and what happened in FIFA 14 and FIFA 18.
The same FIFA leaker stated that Icons is definitely confirmed for FIAF 23 much to the dismay of fans.
Regardless, it is always great to see true legends of the game return, we just wish there was a way to separate them from the main FUT mode.
What was in the FIFA 18 World Cup update?
Looking back, and there was actually a ton of content that EA released in the FIFA 18 World Cup update.
One of the biggest introductions was World Cup Man of The Match Ultimate Team Cards – rewarded to players who impressed on the big stage.
If you already had a player who gets a MOTM upgrade, the ratings were automatically updated.
Every new player item that is packed in World Cup FUT also had the new ratings. These items were not available in the regular version of FIFA 18 Ultimate Team.
These cards were awarded throughout the entire competition – from the Group Stages to the Final.
We’re expecting to see something similar this time around in FIFA 23’s rumured World Cup mode.
Elsewhere, there were other unique features that arrived with the FIFA 18 World Cup mode.
The Custom World Cup Kick Off Tournament mode let you rewrite history and enjoy a custom version of the World Cup with any country. While an updated ‘Kick Off’ let you jump in with friends or battle it solo in a World Cup environment.
NOW READ: Here’s everything you need to know about FIFA 23
FIFA 18 World Cup mode key features
Other key features included:
- All-New ICONS: Some of the most iconic players from the tournament’s history were added to the game
- Chemistry System: Allowing you to link your favorite international players where nationalities and confederations were key to chemistry
- FIFA World Cup Player Pool: Featuring up-to-date squads from every qualified nation with refreshed ratings
- Dynamic Items: Update teams based on performance during the competition – keeping things feeling fresh
- Double Pack Incentive: For every Standard or Premium purchased in FIFA World Cup Ultimate Team, you received equivalent pack value in FUT 18.
- Ultimate Team Game Modes:
- Single Player and Online Tournament
- Single Player & Online Draft
- Squad Building Challenges
There were also a number of FIFA 18 World Cup Stadiums included in the update.
All of these were available to FIFA 18 owners on PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch and PC through a free content update on May 29
Will FIFA 23 World Cup mode be free?
There is no official news yet that the mode is even happening, but if it does – it could well follow FIFA 18 and be a free updated rolled out across the game.
