Why Are Some National Teams Missing From FIFA 22?
The absence of certain national teams in FIFA 22, and indeed in other FIFA iterations, boils down to a complex interplay of factors, primarily centering on licensing agreements, image rights, and sometimes even political circumstances. It’s not simply a case of EA Sports arbitrarily deciding to exclude teams. Instead, they must navigate a legal and logistical minefield to secure the rights necessary to accurately represent these teams within the game. When they cannot secure these rights, the teams are, unfortunately, absent from the roster. This is crucial for maintaining the authenticity and realism that players expect from the FIFA franchise.
Understanding Licensing and Image Rights
The most significant hurdle is securing licensing agreements with the relevant football federations and, crucially, the players themselves. Unlike club teams, where licenses are often negotiated directly with the leagues, national teams involve a more intricate web of stakeholders. Each player has individual image rights, and agreements must be reached with each one or their representatives to accurately portray them in the game. This can be an expensive and time-consuming process, especially for teams where many players have individual endorsement deals and high market values.
If EA Sports cannot reach an agreement with the federation or a significant portion of the players, they cannot include the team. This prevents potential legal battles and ensures they are not infringing on anyone’s intellectual property rights. The cost of securing these rights must also be balanced against the perceived value and popularity of the national team within the game. If a team isn’t projected to be widely used, the cost might outweigh the potential return on investment.
World Cup Years and Licensing Strategies
Interestingly, the approach to national team licensing can shift in World Cup years. Sometimes, EA Sports will prioritize securing licenses for teams that have qualified for the World Cup tournament. This is why certain national teams that were missing in previous FIFA editions might suddenly appear in a World Cup-themed update or standalone game. Securing these licenses is a strategic move to capitalize on the heightened interest in international football surrounding the World Cup. The absence of a team in the main FIFA title may be due to focusing resources on acquiring those World Cup licenses separately.
Political and FIFA-Related Bans
In some rare instances, political factors or FIFA-related bans can also contribute to the exclusion of a national team. If a country is suspended from international competition by FIFA due to government interference or other breaches of regulations, their national team is likely to be absent from the game. These situations are generally temporary, and the team will be reinstated once the suspension is lifted and licensing agreements can be reached. The decision by FIFA could be related to actions by the country and how they manage the local associations.
Real-World Performance and Qualification
While not a primary driver, a national team’s real-world performance and its qualification status for major tournaments can indirectly influence its inclusion. While EA Sports strives for realism, the focus is on building a game that appeals to the widest possible audience. Teams that consistently fail to qualify for significant competitions may be seen as less commercially viable, particularly if they lack a global fanbase. However, it’s essential to emphasize that failing to qualify isn’t always a deal-breaker, especially if a team has a strong history or prominent players.
Generic Teams and Workarounds
When a national team cannot be fully licensed, EA Sports might opt for a generic team, using placeholder names and kits. This allows players to still engage with the national team setup without directly infringing on image rights. While the players themselves often retain their real names and appearances due to their club licenses, the overall team branding is altered. It’s a compromise that allows a degree of representation even when full licensing is impossible.
FIFA 22 Specific Examples
Looking at specific examples like Egypt or Chile, their absence from FIFA 22 is attributable to a combination of the factors already mentioned. It might be due to licensing negotiations falling through, failure to qualify for major tournaments, or a shift in EA’s licensing priorities in that particular year. The complex web of factors makes it difficult to pinpoint the exact reason without inside information.
Conclusion
Ultimately, the inclusion of a national team in FIFA 22 is a business decision driven by the need to balance cost, legal compliance, and commercial viability. The lack of certain teams doesn’t necessarily reflect any judgment on their footballing prowess or importance to the sport, but rather the realities of navigating the complex world of sports licensing. Remember you can study about these topics at the Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
H3 Why did Egypt not appear in FIFA 22?
Egypt’s absence in FIFA 22 is likely due to failed licensing negotiations. Even with star players like Mohamed Salah, securing image rights for the entire squad can be challenging and costly.
H3 Are all South American national teams in FIFA 22?
No, not all South American national teams are in FIFA 22. Licensing issues often prevent the inclusion of every CONMEBOL nation.
H3 Why isn’t Brazil fully licensed in FIFA 22?
Brazil’s national team frequently has licensing issues due to the individual image rights of its players. This means the team might appear with generic names or missing players.
H3 Can I still play with missing national teams in FIFA 22 through mods or custom creations?
Yes, on PC versions of FIFA 22, mods can often be used to add missing national teams or customize existing ones, but this is not possible on console versions.
H3 What’s the difference between a fully licensed and a generic national team in FIFA?
A fully licensed team has the official names, logos, kits, and accurately represented players. A generic team uses placeholder names, logos, and kits, although the players themselves may retain their real identities due to club licenses.
H3 Why are some national teams included in the World Cup edition but not in the main FIFA game?
EA Sports often prioritizes licensing teams that have qualified for the World Cup to capitalize on the tournament’s popularity. These licenses might be acquired specifically for the World Cup mode or game.
H3 Does the size of a country’s football federation impact its inclusion in FIFA?
The size of the federation alone is not a determining factor. What matters more are the commercial value of the team and the ease of securing licensing agreements.
H3 If a player is in FIFA through their club, why isn’t their national team automatically included?
Club licenses and national team licenses are separate. Just because a player’s image rights are secured for their club doesn’t mean those rights extend to the national team.
H3 How much does it cost EA to license a national team for FIFA?
The cost varies greatly depending on the team’s popularity, the number of players, and the complexity of negotiating individual image rights. It can range from tens of thousands to millions of dollars.
H3 Why does EA sometimes use generic players for national teams even when they have real players at clubs in the game?
This is due to licensing issues. If EA can’t secure the image rights for a player to represent their national team specifically, they may use a generic placeholder, even if the player is accurately represented on their club team.
H3 Do smaller nations ever get included in FIFA?
Yes, smaller nations can be included if their licensing agreements are manageable, if they have a rising star player, or if they qualify for major tournaments, thus increasing their commercial appeal.
H3 Can national teams that don’t qualify for the World Cup still appear in FIFA?
Yes, failing to qualify doesn’t automatically exclude a national team. Licensing agreements and overall popularity play a significant role.
H3 How does EA Sports decide which national teams to prioritize for licensing?
They consider factors like popularity, market value, the team’s potential for engagement, and strategic importance in World Cup years. They also analyze which licenses are most attainable given budget limitations.
H3 Is it likely that more national teams will be added to FIFA in future editions?
It’s possible. EA Sports continuously reviews its licensing strategy and may add or remove teams based on evolving market conditions and commercial opportunities.
H3 What recourse do fans have if their favorite national team is consistently missing from FIFA?
Fans can voice their concerns on social media, participate in FIFA community forums, and contact EA Sports directly to express their desire for the team’s inclusion. While it doesn’t guarantee inclusion, it helps EA gauge demand.