Which Teams Lost FIFA 23? The Vanishing Squads and Licensing Labyrinth
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The world of FIFA 23 is vast, filled with iconic teams and legendary players, but it’s also marked by some notable absences. Several factors, primarily licensing agreements with rival eFootball and disputes over image rights, contributed to certain teams being removed, renamed, or represented with generic players in the game. Understanding which teams didn’t make the cut, and why, is key to appreciating the complex landscape of football gaming. Essentially, “losing” FIFA 23 means not appearing in the game with accurate team names, logos, kits, stadiums, or player likenesses.
The most prominent “losers” in FIFA 23, in terms of complete absence or significantly altered representation, are:
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Roma (Serie A): Officially known as Roma FC in FIFA 23 due to an exclusive agreement with eFootball. This means the authentic team name, logo, and stadium (Stadio Olimpico) are absent.
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Atalanta (Serie A): Rebranded as Bergamo Calcio, this team suffers the same fate as Roma – a generic name and logo due to eFootball’s licensing deal.
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Lazio (Serie A): Also becomes Latium in FIFA 23. Like their Serie A counterparts, this is a result of exclusivity with eFootball.
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Napoli (Serie A): Known as Napoli FC, mirroring the situation of other Italian clubs due to licensing agreements.
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Mexican Liga MX: The entire Liga MX is missing from FIFA 23. This is due to a full licensing agreement between the league and Konami’s eFootball. Every club and player is officially represented in eFootball, thus excluding them from FIFA 23.
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Brazilian National Team: While Brazilian players are present in their respective club teams, the Brazilian national team itself is not featured. This is primarily due to complex licensing issues regarding image rights, making it impossible for EA to secure the necessary agreements to feature the team and all its assets authentically. The players that are on the game are generic.
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Russia: National team and club sides EA Sports will not include the Russian national team or club sides in FIFA 23 after removing them from this season’s title. The decision comes in response to the country’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine which began on February 24.
These absences are a significant blow to the authenticity of FIFA 23, especially for fans of these specific teams and leagues. While workarounds exist (such as creating custom teams or using community-created content), the official omission is a palpable loss.
The Ripple Effect: More Than Just Missing Teams
The loss of these teams extends beyond simply not being able to select them directly. It affects career mode, ultimate team (to some extent), and the overall immersive experience of the game. Players who dream of managing Roma to Champions League glory, or leading the Brazilian national team to World Cup triumph, find themselves unable to do so in the most authentic way possible within FIFA 23. The strategic decisions made by EA SPORTS to prioritize certain licensing agreements over others create a landscape where authenticity is selectively applied.
The Games Learning Society (GamesLearningSociety.org) explores how these absences affect immersion. In the context of simulation and educational potential, such inaccuracies can detract from the overall learning experience that video games like FIFA can provide.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Teams Missing from FIFA 23
Here are some frequently asked questions to clarify the reasons behind the missing teams and their implications:
1. Why are some Italian teams like Roma, Atalanta, Lazio, and Napoli not fully represented in FIFA 23?
These teams have entered into exclusive licensing agreements with eFootball, a rival football game. This prevents EA SPORTS from using their official names, logos, kits, and stadiums in FIFA 23. They are present but under different names and with generic badges and kits.
2. What does it mean when a team is referred to as “Roma FC” or “Bergamo Calcio” in FIFA 23?
These are placeholder names used because EA SPORTS does not have the licensing rights to use the official names, logos, and branding of AS Roma and Atalanta, respectively.
3. Why is the entire Mexican Liga MX absent from FIFA 23?
The Liga MX has an exclusive licensing agreement with Konami, the developer of eFootball. This agreement grants Konami the rights to feature all Liga MX teams and players in their game, thus preventing their inclusion in FIFA 23.
4. Is it possible to add the missing teams and leagues into FIFA 23 manually?
While the official game does not allow for the direct addition of missing teams with their licensed assets, some players use community-created mods and custom content on PC to add them. However, this is not an officially supported feature.
5. Why isn’t the Brazilian national team in FIFA 23?
The Brazilian national team’s absence is due to licensing issues concerning image rights. EA SPORTS was unable to secure the necessary agreements to feature the team with its official players and kits. While Brazilian players are still present in their club teams, the national team itself is missing or populated with generic players.
6. Will these teams return to FIFA in future iterations of the game?
It depends on the status of their licensing agreements with eFootball and other factors. These agreements can change over time, so it’s possible that some teams could return to FIFA in future editions if the licensing landscapes shift.
7. How does the absence of these teams affect Career Mode in FIFA 23?
The absence of teams like Roma and Napoli limits the authenticity of Career Mode, especially for players who want to manage those specific clubs. While you can still manage “Roma FC” or “Napoli FC,” the experience is less immersive without the official branding.
8. What are image rights and why are they so important in football games?
Image rights are the rights that control the commercial use of a player’s name, image, likeness, and other personal attributes. Football game developers need to secure these rights to accurately represent players in their games. Without these rights, developers cannot use the player’s real name, likeness, or other identifying features.
9. Does the lack of certain teams affect the overall gameplay experience in FIFA 23?
The absence of certain teams can detract from the overall authenticity and immersion for some players, especially those who are fans of the missing teams or leagues. However, the game still offers a wide variety of licensed teams and leagues to choose from.
10. Are there any workarounds to play with the missing teams in FIFA 23?
As mentioned, on the PC platform, mods and custom content created by the FIFA community may offer ways to play with the missing teams, complete with their accurate kits and logos. These options are not available on consoles unless officially supported by EA SPORTS.
11. How does eFootball’s licensing agreements affect FIFA’s market share?
Exclusive licensing agreements can impact market share by attracting players who prioritize authenticity and want to play with their favorite teams in their officially licensed form. If eFootball has exclusive rights to popular teams or leagues, it may attract players who would otherwise play FIFA.
12. Is it possible for EA SPORTS to purchase the licensing rights from eFootball?
While it’s theoretically possible, it is unlikely if eFootball values the exclusivity of the agreement. Purchasing the licensing rights would depend on the terms of the existing agreement and EA’s willingness to pay for those rights. This is a complex negotiation that requires careful consideration of financial and strategic factors.
13. What happens to the players from the missing teams in FIFA 23 Ultimate Team?
Players from these teams are still present in FIFA 23 Ultimate Team, but they may be represented with generic images or cards if EA SPORTS does not have the licensing rights to use their official likenesses.
14. Is there a specific reason why Croatia is not in FIFA 23?
Historically, Croatia has sometimes been absent due to disputes over the amount of money offered by EA for licensing. Negotiations between football federations and game developers can break down if they can’t agree on a fair price for the rights. This situation may not be current.
15. Are smaller teams like Longford Town, NorthEast United, or SC East Bengal FC in FIFA 23?
These smaller teams, along with others like them, are sometimes included in FIFA 23, but they may have lower overall ratings and player stats. Their inclusion depends on the specific leagues and teams that EA SPORTS has licensed for each edition of the game. The list provided in the original article does not include “removed teams”.
Ultimately, the “loss” of these teams in FIFA 23 highlights the ongoing battle for licensing rights in the world of football gaming. It underscores the impact of these agreements on the authenticity and immersive experience that players expect and enjoy. The world of FIFA 23 is vast, filled with iconic teams and legendary players, but it’s also marked by some notable absences.