Why Are There No Russian Teams in FIFA 22?

The simple answer is that Russian national and club teams were removed from FIFA 22 as a direct response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Electronic Arts (EA), the publisher of the FIFA franchise, took this action to “stand in solidarity with the Ukrainian people,” as they stated in an official announcement. This decision aligned with similar actions taken by FIFA and UEFA, the governing bodies of global and European football, respectively, who banned Russian teams from their competitions.

The removal affected all aspects of the game. The Russian national team was no longer playable in kick-off mode, career mode, or online friendlies. Similarly, Russian club teams like CSKA Moscow, Lokomotiv Moscow, Spartak Moscow, and Zenit Saint Petersburg were removed from club competitions within the game. It was a comprehensive removal intended to reflect the real-world sanctions imposed on Russia due to the conflict.

But this decision wasn’t made in a vacuum. It was a complex balancing act between creating a realistic and immersive game experience, responding to a significant global event, and aligning with the values of the company. The removal has far-reaching implications for the FIFA franchise and the larger gaming community, raising questions about representation, political statements in games, and the responsibilities of game developers in the face of global conflict. The decision also sparked widespread discussions among gamers, some supporting EA’s stance, while others questioned the appropriateness of mixing real-world politics with video game entertainment. Regardless, the result was the complete absence of Russian teams from the FIFA 22 virtual football landscape.

The Broader Context: FIFA, UEFA, and EA’s Response

To fully understand why Russian teams were removed from FIFA 22, it’s crucial to look at the actions taken by FIFA, UEFA, and EA Sports in response to the invasion of Ukraine.

• FIFA and UEFA Bans: Within days of the invasion, FIFA and UEFA moved to ban Russian national and club teams from all international competitions. This meant Russia would not be able to participate in the 2022 World Cup qualifiers or UEFA club tournaments like the Champions League and Europa League. This unprecedented move signaled a unified stance against Russia’s aggression.

• EA Sports’ Decision: Following FIFA and UEFA’s actions, EA Sports quickly followed suit. They announced the removal of all Russian teams from FIFA 22, as well as the NHL 22 ice hockey game. This demonstrated a commitment to standing in solidarity with Ukraine and supporting the international sporting community’s response.

• Solidarity with Ukraine: EA’s stated rationale for removing Russian teams was to “stand in solidarity with the Ukrainian people”. This emphasized the company’s belief that it was important to use their platform to support a humanitarian cause.

The Impact on Gameplay and the FIFA Community

The removal of Russian teams undeniably impacted the FIFA 22 gameplay experience. For players who enjoyed using these teams or playing against them, their absence was a significant change. Some missed the opportunity to manage Russian clubs in Career Mode or compete with the national team in online tournaments.

However, the overall sentiment within the FIFA community appeared to be largely supportive of EA’s decision. Many players understood the political context behind the move and saw it as a necessary show of support for Ukraine. While some voiced concerns about the politicization of games, the overwhelming consensus was that it was the right thing to do.

The Future of Russian Teams in FIFA

The big question now is what the future holds for Russian teams in the FIFA franchise. As of FIFA 23 (now known as EA Sports FC), the teams remain absent from the game. EA has not provided a definitive timeline for when, or if, Russian teams might be reinstated. This decision will likely depend on the evolving geopolitical situation and the actions of international sporting bodies like FIFA and UEFA. The situation also raises interesting questions about how geopolitical events might impact game content in the future.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are some frequently asked questions related to the absence of Russian teams in FIFA 22 and beyond:

1. Why were Russian teams removed from FIFA 22?

Russian teams were removed from FIFA 22 due to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. EA Sports made this decision to stand in solidarity with the Ukrainian people and in response to the bans issued by FIFA and UEFA.

2. Which Russian teams were removed from FIFA 22?

The Russian national team and all Russian club teams, including CSKA Moscow, Lokomotiv Moscow, Spartak Moscow, and Zenit Saint Petersburg, were removed.

3. Will Russian teams be in future FIFA games (now EA Sports FC)?

As of the latest iterations, Russian teams are still absent. EA Sports has not announced any plans to reinstate them, and the decision likely depends on the geopolitical situation and the stance of FIFA and UEFA.

4. Did the removal affect Career Mode?

Yes, the removal impacted Career Mode, as players could no longer manage or play against Russian teams.

5. Was this decision solely EA’s or did FIFA play a role?

Both EA and FIFA made separate but aligned decisions. FIFA banned Russian teams from their competitions, and EA followed suit by removing them from FIFA 22.

6. What was the FIFA community’s reaction to the removal?

The FIFA community was largely supportive of EA’s decision, viewing it as a necessary show of solidarity with Ukraine, though a minority felt the game shouldn’t be involved in politics.

7. Are Belarusian teams also removed from FIFA?

Yes, the original article states that Belarusian teams were also removed, due to Belarus’s support of Russia’s actions.

8. Did individual Russian players remain in the game?

The removal focused on the teams themselves. Russian players playing for clubs outside of Russia remained in the game.

9. Is there any way to add Russian teams back into FIFA 22?

Officially, no. EA removed the teams from the game files, and there is no in-game option to add them back. However, it’s possible modders could create unofficial patches to re-add them on PC.

10. How does this compare to other political removals in video games?

The removal of Russian teams is a significant example of a game developer responding to a major geopolitical event. Other examples include removing content that promotes hate speech or violence. The GamesLearningSociety.org website provides resources about games and social impact.

11. Does this set a precedent for future FIFA games?

It’s difficult to say definitively. Each situation is unique, and EA will likely consider various factors before making similar decisions in the future.

12. What about other sports games like NHL 22?

EA also removed Russian teams from NHL 22, demonstrating a consistent stance across their sports game franchises.

13. How did this impact esports tournaments involving FIFA?

Official FIFA esports tournaments followed FIFA’s ban, preventing Russian players from representing Russian teams in international competitions. Individual players could potentially participate representing another club.

14. Why are some teams not in FIFA despite being eligible?

Some teams are missing from FIFA due to licensing agreements with rival games like eFootball. This is why Juventus, Roma, Atalanta, Lazio and Napoli, for instance, use different names in FIFA. They have exclusive deals with Konami and PES.

15. What if I disagree with the removal of Russian teams?

Individuals have varying opinions on the matter. While EA made a decision based on their values and the geopolitical context, players are free to voice their opinions and choose whether or not to play the game.