The 2022 FIFA World Cup officially got underway on November 20th, with hosts Qatar falling to a 2-0 defeat against Ecuador courtesy of an Enner Valencia double. As football gamers will tell you, there is no better time to be a fan of the beautiful game than when sports’ greatest spectacle is front and center.
This year, OddsChecker, which compares World Cup odds and free bets, has made Brazil the favorite for success in the desert this winter. And if you take a look at the Selecao’s team in FIFA 23’s new World Cup DLC, it’s easy to see why.
Similarities and differences
EA Sports released this year’s DLC on November 10th, and there is plenty there for fans to enjoy. There is a fully playable World Cup game mode, which allows you to lead any of the qualified 32 nations to glory. You can also edit the teams featured in the tournament, just as you could on FIFA 18 four years ago. Both games also provide an online FIFA World Cup, which allows gamers to play from the last 16 onwards with any of the qualified nations, achieving virtual success for national pride.
One thing that this year’s DLC has that previous editions didn’t is a Live FIFA World Cup game mode. This mode allows players to play through the event from a real-life starting point. For example, now the Qatari’s have lost their opening game, they have to win their next two against the Netherlands and recent Africa Cup of Nations winners Senegal. Are you up to the task of leading The Maroon to the last 16?
FIFA 23’s DLC, however, doesn’t have a standalone version of Ultimate Team, unlike FIFA 18. EA Sports have instead taken the decision to integrate the World Cup into the full version of UT, with a number of new Path To Glory and World Cup Icon cards available. We believe that this is because of the 2022 World Cup’s unique starting point in the middle of the regular season rather than in the postseason, like it has done in previous years.
Verdict
It’s tough to pick a winner between the two DLCs. They are both impressive in their own ways. On the one hand, FIFA 18 has its own Ultimate Team, which could be the defining factor for some gamers. On the other, however, FIFA 23 has a Live mode and, as well as that, has integrated the World Cup into the full version of Ultimate Team. And for us, that is the defining factor. Who doesn’t want to terrorize opponents for the next six months with a 93-rated Vinicius Jr?
Winner – FIFA 23
