EA Sports FC 26 Revives the World Cup on June 4 Without the Right to Name It

The announcement came via the PlayStation Blog as part of Days of Play, kicking off on May 27. EA Sports FC 26 will receive a free update called The World’s Game on June 4, 2026, exactly one week before the kickoff of the 2026 FIFA World Cup scheduled for June 11 across the United States, Canada and Mexico.

The content introduces a brand-new international tournament mode featuring 48 national teams and authentic stadiums. A window that Sony chose to accompany with a targeted gift since EA Sports FC 26 will remain free on PS Plus Essential until June 16, 2026 to let subscribers enjoy the tournament without spending a dime.

The update doesn’t stop at the tournament mode. EA Sports will also roll out new Manager Live Challenges tailored to the event, along with extra ICONs and International Heroes added to the catalog. Three additions designed to enrich the Football Ultimate Team mode, the game’s main economic engine for several years now.

The full content breakdown is still under wraps. Electronic Arts confirmed that more information will be shared soon, likely closer to the June 4 rollout. The mobile version EA Sports FC Mobile has already received its own version of The World’s Game on May 27, featuring more than 50 authentic national teams.

This is where the story gets interesting. The update carries a name that says everything without saying anything, The World’s Game. Electronic Arts lost the official FIFA license in 2022 after a historic dispute over annual fees. EA was paying $150 million a year to use the FIFA name, making it the federation’s biggest commercial deal. According to revelations by the New York Times, FIFA wanted to double that fee to $300 million a year, or more than $1 billion over the four-year cycle leading up to the 2026 World Cup. EA refused and rebranded its franchise as EA Sports FC starting in fall 2023.

The direct consequence, EA can no longer call its World Cup mode by name, nor use the official logo, nor the visual elements specific to the competition. Back in the days of FIFA 18 in 2018 or FIFA 14 in 2014, the publisher rolled out free updates branded FIFA World Cup with stadiums, anthems and the official trophy. The World’s Game is the 2026 version of that tradition, a generic remix for lack of better options. Brazil, Canada and Uruguay are among the newly licensed national teams recently added to the game, but the tournament itself will have to settle for a replacement name. In an ironic twist, Football Manager 26 announced in late May a 2026 World Cup update under official FIFA license. The manager from Sports Interactive delivers exactly what EA Sports FC 26 no longer has the right to deliver. For interested subscribers, the title remains free on PS Plus until June 16 to enjoy the update.