EA Sports Breaks New Ground With Female Cover Stars for FIFA 16, But Continues to Omit Africa

EA Sports, the renowned video game developer, has taken an unprecedented step by placing female footballers on the cover of its latest creation—FIFA 2016. Alex Morgan, the highly regarded American forward, and Canadian star striker, Christine Sinclair will both grace the cover of the latest installment in the iconic FIFA series, making it the first time for women to feature on the cover of this globally famous football game.

Alongside these accomplished women footballers, Argentine football legend, Lionel Messi of Barcelona FC will also appear on the cover, continuing the trend of featuring star players from the men’s football arena. However, depending on the region you find yourself in, the cover players you see might vary. North American gamers will spot Morgan and Messi, while their Canadian counterparts will enjoy an image of Sinclair and Messi.

Impressively, across the pond in the UK, Liverpool FC’s energetic midfielder, Jordan Henderson, will nab the coveted spot alongside Messi. This distribution highlights EA Sports’ commitment to representing the diversity and broader appeal of the world of football in different regions. Furthermore, FIFA 16 promises to deliver a fresh gameplay experience with improved features like enhanced defensive agility and clinical finishing skills.

However, while this edition of FIFA highlights progress with its inclusivity, questions still remain. Why have African talents been left off the cover once again? Although the continent has churned out a wealth of commendable footballers, they have not enjoyed the same privilege extended to other regions.

This consistent omission could potentially be a strategic business decision. It’s plausible EA Sports may be focusing their marketing on regions with higher sales, but this does not lessen the disappointment for African football fans and players.

From the United States’ Clint Dempsey to Japan’s Atsuto Uchida, FIFA 16’s cover stars represent established football nations, and those traditionally less associated with the sport. Even though EA Sports has yet to explain the rationale behind the selection process, it is known that cover stars are intended to reflect the range and diversity of FIFA’s audience as much as possible. One can only hope that in future releases, African soccer stars will receive their much-deserved place on the cover alongside the world’s football icons.

FIFA 16 is due for release in September. For more details, visit the EA Sports website.