FIFA 23 adds all 12 NWSL teams

As the top-selling soccer game in the world, FIFA has helped the profile of women’s soccer by including their teams and players in their latest games. The visibility of females within the sport has been required for years.

As new generations of girls have female players to look up to, they want to feel represented, and visibility on the platform is essential for the continued development of the women’s game.

This representation is now seen across the sport and continues to strengthen. For example, you can place bets on women’s soccer games, which weren’t available until recently. However, the market for betting on men’s games has always been huge. This is just another example of the positive inroads that are being made.

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Which NWSL teams have been added to FIFA 23?

The complete list of teams in the NWSL is as follows:

· Chicago Red Stars

· Gotham FC

· Portland Thorns FC

· OL Reign

· Washington Spirit

· Houston Dash

· Orlando Pride

· North Carolina Courage

· Racing Louisville FC

· Kansas City Current

· Angel City FC

· San Diego Wave FC

How big of a step forward is this inclusion?

It is a massive step for EA Sports to add these teams. FIFA is a footballing dynasty when it comes to video gaming. Although we touched on this in our introduction, including every major women’s soccer team is a gigantic step in the right direction.

Although FIFA first introduced women’s soccer teams onto their platforms in 2016, it was only international teams, and there were few to choose from.

Looking at some of the ratings the women’s game has drawn recently, you can understand why FIFA is making this move. However, it shouldn’t have to come to this; there should be equality regarding these games. Everybody of all genders enjoys playing video games, and for FIFA to go the extra mile for inclusion shows they are committed to enacting a change that brings about fairness across the board.

The increasing popularity of women’s soccer

Over 15 million people tuned in to the Euro final when England played Germany in 2022. This is quite an achievement because women weren’t allowed to play the game in the United Kingdom until the early 1970s.

It wasn’t a one-off, either. Some detractors have pointed out that because it was a final, more people naturally tuned in. Still, the women’s game consistently has more viewers than the men’s Premier League. Many club games are seeing vast numbers of people attending, and this figure is predicted to grow even further.

A constant battle

Women’s soccer has battled hard to get where it is today. Over the last two decades, a female referee has officiated a professional men’s game. In addition, there have been women linesmen as well as female commentators and analysts on prominent sports broadcasting stations.

There is still a huge wage disparity, although ticket sales and average television viewership in soccer drive it. Nevertheless, it is a broad conversation that society continues to have. Wage inequality across boardroom levels and other sectors of society is a topic that is regularly discussed, and soccer is no different.

The women’s game has come a long way, though, and this is undeniable. Now that there is plenty more visibility and awareness on an international scale, you’d like to think that it would be easier for female soccer players to have their voices heard and their games broadcast to larger audiences.

Conclusion

The next step for FIFA may be to release an alternate version of their game, featuring only female soccer teams and players, as they have with the male version for so many years. While FIFA doesn’t shift as many units as massive games like Call of Duty, it is still a huge-selling sports game.

Any video game development must also reflect in professional games. It is a multi-pronged idea and despite the momentum, now is not the time for complacency.

Once we see a female manager in the male game, or women soccer players obtaining the same endorsement deals that their male counterparts often get – or even the same pay – we could start talking about true equality in the sport. Of course, sport is a business and whatever brings in the highest number of viewers consistently will receive the most money.

However, it feels as though women’s soccer has started to turn a corner, and it is exciting that women players are represented much more than they ever have been before, both in video games and in real life.