EA Sports has confirmed that fictional manager Ted Lasso and fictional football team AFC Richmond will feature in FIFA 23.
Ahead of the launch of FIFA 23 on Friday, September 30, 2022, EA Sports has today confirmed that the stars of the award-winning Apple TV series Ted Lasso, including manager Ted Lasso and the football club AFC Richmond, will be fully playable in this year's FIFA title. FIFA 23 players will be able to authentically take control of the club across multiple game modes, including Career Mode, Kick-Off, Online Friendlies and Online Seasons.
FIFA 23 players will be able to select Lasso as a manager of AFC Richmond, or any team of their choosing, in FIFA 23 Career Mode. Lasso and AFC Richmond assistant manager Coach Beard, will also be given managerial items in FIFA 23 Ultimate Team, whilst a number of other AFC Richmond items including kits, tifos and more will also be available to unlock across Ultimate Team and Pro Clubs.
AFC Richmond's stadium, Nelson Road, will also be available to use, exclusively in the FIFA 23 Pro Clubs game mode. In addition to being able to select Lasso as a manager in Career Mode, players can also create their own manager or select a real-life licensed manager to take control of AFC Richmond.
Players will also be able to create a player in Career Mode and join the AFC Richmond squad in a league of their choosing. AFC Richmond can be found in the 'Rest of the World' league in Kick-Off, Online Seasons and Online friendlies, with players from the show such as Jamie Tartt, Dani Rojas, Roy Kent, Sam Obisanya and more fully playable in these game modes.
“I am truly fortunate and deeply grateful, to have had many special moments in my career thus far, and I consider this experience among the best of them,” said Emmy award-winner Jason Sudeikis, who plays the role of Ted Lasso.
“As long-time fans of EA SPORTS FIFA, having Ted Lasso and the whole AFC Richmond squad incorporated into the newest version of the game is truly a dream come true for myself and the rest of the fellas. Our cast and crew work tremendously hard on this show, and we are flattered that it resonates with so many folks.
"We look forward to our fans having the opportunity to play with, play as, and even play against their favorite AFC Richmond characters.”
“It is so f***ing cool to be in FIFA. I’m not sure this is going to help dispel the CGI rumours but f*** it, totally worth it,” said Emmy Award-winner Brett Goldstein, who plays AFC Richmond player Roy Kent.
“I look forward to beating my nephew in a game with me as Roy Kent and him as Jamie Tartt. He’s gonna be furious.”
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The Apple TV series has won Emmy Awards for Outstanding Comedy Series for seasons one and two, whilst cast members Sudekis and Brett Goldstein won Emmys for their roles as Ted Lasso and Roy Kent respectively.
FIFA 23 will be released on Friday, September 30, 2022 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, PC, Stadia, PS4, and Xbox One. Players who pre-order the Ultimate Edition of FIFA 23 or are subscribed to EA Play will be given early access to the game, allowing players access to the game on Tuesday, September 27, 2022.
FIFA 23 is developed by EA Vancouver and EA Romania and will be available worldwide on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, PC, Stadia, PS4, and Xbox One on September 30. Early access for FIFA 23 Ultimate Edition begins on September 27, 2022.
