When EA released FIFA 23 last September, it came with a historic new feature. For the first time in the franchise’s 30-year history, women’s club football teams were playable in the game. At the time of release, you had the option of playing with teams from either the Women’s Super League or Division 1 Arkema.
As great as it was to see the support for two of Europe’s top female leagues, many American fans felt left out. While you could still play as stars from several national teams, you did not have the option to play with them on their NWSL teams. However, EA had talked about the possibility of adding new leagues mid-year to expand the number of playable women’s clubs.
Now, there is confirmation from EA that NWSL will be the third women’s league added to the game as seen in NWSL’s media press release. Fans can play as any of the 12 NWSL teams across four separate game modes. Here is what to expect when EA drops NWSL this month in FIFA 23.
The National Women's Soccer League is coming to The World's Game on March 15th.
Find out more: https://t.co/9GpEH132JZ pic.twitter.com/wI9gXJvr63
— EA SPORTS FC (@EASPORTSFC) March 6, 2023
What Game Modes Are NWSL Teams Playable in FIFA 23
EA announced that the NWSL will be playable in four game modes in this year’s FIFA. All twelve teams are playable locally in Kick-Off as well as online in either Online Seasons or Online Friendlies. EA has also said that if both clubs selected are from the NWSL, an “authentic match broadcast experience” will accompany the match.
The other way to play locally is through Tournament Mode. Despite the name, this will play more like a single-season experience. You can choose an NWSL team to start a campaign that goes through both the regular season and playoffs.
When Will EA Add NWSL Teams?
NWSL teams will be added to FIFA 23 in an update on March 15. The update will also add the UEFA Women’s Champions League as a feature. It will also include four additional European teams, Real Madrid, Wolfsburg, Juventus, and Eintracht Frankfurt.
This is a huge addition for fans of American soccer. Most young people have discovered the game through playing FIFA over the years. Having all 12 teams’ entire roster playable and having their skill level filtered through the game can do a lot for the visibility of the league. It would be nice to have a women’s career mode to play with multiple campaigns and negotiate transfers of international players. However, it is a welcomed addition to be able to play through an entire single season. This will be a nice surprise for NWSL fans before the 2023 season kicks off.
Photo Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports of Marta and Andi Sullivan’s Headshot on March 19, 2022.
