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Will World Cup DLC be Free? A Deep Dive into FIFA 23’s Qatar Celebration

Yes, the core FIFA 23 World Cup mode was indeed offered as a free downloadable content (DLC) to all players who already owned the base game. This generous offering from EA Sports allowed players to experience the thrill of the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar without additional cost, marking a significant departure from previous years where standalone World Cup titles were often released. Let’s explore the details of this offering and answer some frequently asked questions.

What the Free FIFA 23 World Cup DLC Included

The free World Cup DLC in FIFA 23 provided a comprehensive and immersive experience, including:

Authentic World Cup Presentation: Complete with official branding, stadiums, and match day atmosphere that captured the excitement of the tournament.
Tournament Mode: Allowing players to guide their chosen national team through the entire World Cup, from the group stages to the final.
FUT World Cup Content: Integration into FIFA Ultimate Team (FUT), featuring special player cards, challenges, and rewards themed around the World Cup.
World Cup Kick-Off Mode: Providing a quick and easy way to play one-off matches with any of the qualified teams.

This free content offered a substantial amount of gameplay, making it a valuable addition for FIFA 23 players.

FIFA 23: World Cup Mode – A Change in Strategy

Historically, EA Sports would release separate, full-priced games for major international tournaments like the World Cup. The decision to offer the World Cup mode as free DLC for FIFA 23 represented a significant shift. This change likely stemmed from several factors:

Player Engagement: Keeping existing players engaged with the current FIFA title rather than fragmenting the player base across multiple games.
Positive PR: Generating goodwill among the FIFA community by providing free content.
FUT Integration: Focusing on driving engagement and spending within the lucrative FIFA Ultimate Team ecosystem, where World Cup-themed content could be integrated seamlessly.
The Upcoming Rebrand: With the upcoming split from FIFA and the rebranding to EA Sports FC, EA likely wanted to leave on good terms with their fanbase.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about the FIFA 23 World Cup DLC

Let’s address some common questions about the FIFA 23 World Cup DLC to provide further clarity.

1. Was the FIFA 23 World Cup Update Free?

Yes, the FIFA 23 World Cup mode was a free update for all owners of the base game. This included the tournament mode, updated presentation, and various related in-game content.

2. Was the World Cup Mode Permanent in FIFA 23?

While the World Cup tournament itself concluded, the World Cup game mode and related items, especially within FUT 23, remained available for players to enjoy until the end of the FIFA 23 game cycle. So it was not temporary, you could keep playing it for a good amount of time.

3. How Could You Get a Free World Cup Hero?

Those who pre-ordered the Ultimate Edition of FIFA 23 before a specific date (typically August 21st, 2022) were entitled to receive a free FUT World Cup Heroes card. These cards often featured special designs and boosted stats, making them highly sought after by players.

4. What Could Players Expect from FIFA 23 World Cup DLC?

Players could expect a fully licensed and immersive World Cup experience, including:

Official World Cup branding and presentation.
All participating national teams and stadiums.
World Cup-themed challenges and rewards in FUT.
The ability to play through the entire tournament, from the group stage to the final.

5. Why Didn’t Some Players Receive their World Cup Hero Pack?

Eligibility for the free World Cup Hero pack was typically tied to pre-ordering the Ultimate Edition before a specific deadline. If you pre-ordered after that date, or if there were issues with your pre-order platform (Origin/EA App), you might not have received the pack. In such cases, contacting EA Support was recommended.

6. Was the FIFA 23 World Cup Mode Removed?

No, the World Cup mode was likely available until the end of FIFA 23’s game cycle, despite the real-world tournament concluding in December. This allowed players to continue enjoying the content long after the actual event.

7. Why Was FIFA 23 Ending?

The FIFA series, as we know it, ended because EA Sports’ partnership with FIFA concluded. The two organizations were unable to reach an agreement on renewing their licensing deal, leading to the rebranding of the game as EA Sports FC.

8. Why Was Brazil Missing from FIFA 23?

While Brazil’s national team was absent from the standard game modes in FIFA 23 due to licensing issues, they were featured in the FIFA World Cup mode. FIFA owned the rights for the tournament, allowing EA to include the Brazilian national team with the official squad.

9. Was the Qatar World Cup Free to Watch?

Yes, all 64 matches of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 were streamed live and for free on FIFA’s new digital platform, FIFA+. Outside of gaming, this offered fans worldwide access to the tournament.

10. Did FIFA Give the Real World Cup Trophy to the Winning Nation?

No, the winning nation does not get to keep the original World Cup trophy. Instead, they receive a bronze, gold-plated replica. The original trophy is kept under secure guard at FIFA’s World Football Museum in Zurich.

11. Will FIFA 23 Include World Cup Content?

Yes, FIFA 23 included significant World Cup content, including the free DLC mode. This mode brought the authenticity and excitement of the tournament to the game.

12. Will Players Get Free Packs on FIFA 23?

EA Sports and Amazon Prime partnered to reward Prime subscribers with a free FUT Pack each month, giving players a steady stream of rewards to boost their Ultimate Team. However, the free World Cup DLC pack was offered as part of the Ultimate Edition pre-order.

13. Is the World Cup Mode Temporary in FIFA 23?

While FIFA 23’s World Cup content was a seasonal event, the game mode remained available for a long time, allowing players to experience the World Cup matches and use their themed items until the end of the game cycle.

14. Did World Cup Heroes Get Upgraded in FIFA 23?

Yes, EA Sports offered World Cup Hero Upgrade SBCs (Squad Building Challenges) in FIFA 23. These challenges allowed players to trade in existing players and assets for a chance to receive an upgraded World Cup Hero card, making their squads even more competitive.

15. How To Claim A World Cup Hero Pack In FIFA 23?

To claim a World Cup Hero Pack, one must redeem their single-use code, log in to FIFA Ultimate Team (“FUT”), and create a Career Mode save while connected to EA servers (together these steps are referred to as “redeem”) to access your Ultimate Edition content (an untradeable FIFA World Cup™ FUT Hero Player Item, an untradeable.

The Future of Football Games: EA Sports FC

With the end of the FIFA partnership, the future of football games lies with EA Sports FC. While the name has changed, the core gameplay and Ultimate Team experience are expected to remain familiar to fans. The separation from FIFA also potentially allows EA more creative freedom in developing new features and modes.

The games industry is evolving, with ongoing conversations and research into areas like how games can aid education, which can be followed at the Games Learning Society or GamesLearningSociety.org.

The FIFA 23 World Cup DLC was a generous and well-received offering, providing players with a substantial amount of free content to celebrate the 2022 tournament in Qatar. While the future of football gaming looks different, EA Sports FC is poised to continue delivering the immersive and engaging experiences that fans have come to expect.

Will World Cup DLC be free?