If you’re a dedicated FIFA fan, you’re no stranger to the thrill of realistic football matches and the excitement of building your ultimate team online. But what if you want to expand your gaming horizons and explore new football experiences? The world of soccer games is rich with options for all kinds of people and play styles. From classic rivals to innovative releases, there are plenty of alternatives that offer unique features and fresh gameplay mechanics.
In this list, we will show you some of the main titles regarding football gaming. If you’re a FIFA fan looking for an alternative, we’ve got you covered.
Whether you like the classic EA sports title because of the physics or because of the variety of options, we will cover a series of similar games to ensure you find the perfect pick for your taste. Make sure to check out each one of them so you choose the perfect one for your next gaming session.
Here are the best alternatives to FIFA if you’re looking for a football game:
Table of Contents
FIFA x EA Sports FC – What’s the Difference?
When it comes to the soccer game world, many people might get confused about the difference between FIFA and EA FC. Here, we will clarify the difference between both franchises:
They are actually the same franchise and feature the same gameplay style. The use of the FIFA trademark was an agreement between the organization and EA to feature the brand in their sports title. This agreement ended in 2023 when it was not renewed, and the video games company changed its name to EA Sports FC.
Besides that, EA Sports gameplay is the same as we’re used to seeing in FIFA, and the flagship game mode is exactly the same. This applies to both online and classic offline game modes.
You can see it as the “sequence” or “spiritual successor” of FIFA, with the same game modes and quality we’re used to. It is still one of the best games for casual and competitive players looking for a virtual football experience with realistic graphics and physics.
Best Games Like the EA Football Series (FIFA)
Now, it’s time to dive into the virtual football world to see some of the best alternatives to FIFA. Whether you’re looking for a new game with different modes or a title with the most similar football game set, here is everything you need to know.
We will cover a variety of platforms and gameplay styles to ensure you find the perfect pick for your next gaming session. Make sure to check each one to see the games that most catch your attention. Here are the best games like FIFA:
FootballTeam
If you’re looking for a game free to play and with deep mechanics, this is the perfect pick for your gaming session. More than just a football manager, this game is the ideal mix between playing football and managing your own team, allowing you to customize every single aspect of your gameplay.
It is the best option if you like FIFA and are looking for a new sports game to try. Everything is carefully designed to create the most immersive experience possible.
You’ll constantly test your skill and knowledge against players worldwide in this thriving experience. The game already counts on over a million registered players and over 60 thousand teams waiting to be challenged.
You can compete in a series of different categories, like PvP Card Duels, league games, various tournaments, and many others, each with its own rules and rewards. To reach victory, you must upgrade your character and build the dream team.
Want to play it with friends? No worries. The game’s online features allow you to connect with people from all over the world and play on the platform you prefer. The best part is that you don’t need to download the game and can play it directly from your browser, whether through a mobile phone or desktop.
The fun never stops with FootballTeam, and you can play the game for hours thanks to the almost unlimited content and number of possibilities. The game is entirely free, and you can create your account right now for online play through the game’s main page.
Ultimate Football League
- Release Date: September, 2024
- Developer: Strikerz Inc.
- Platforms: Playstation 5 and Xbox Series X/S
If you like FIFA’s stunning graphics and deep physics mechanics, Ultimate Football League, or UFL, is the perfect pick for you. The game’s official release is scheduled for September 2024, but the game’s initial release was a beta version available for both Playstation 5 and Xbox Series.
Even though the beta is no longer available, we can get a glimpse of how versatile and fun the game is to play. Along with the typical kick-off mode and the classic offline modes, the game also has tons of online features that allow you to play with friends anywhere.
The final version will also feature computer-generated characters you can customize to create your team or even compete in the major leagues worldwide. Along with the classic career mode, you’ll also have everything you expect from the online mode, including crossplay between Microsoft and Playstation consoles and many other features. It’s a fun concept and will surely be a strong competitor for EA’s most famous sports franchise.
Rocket League
- Release Date: July, 2015
- Developer: Psyonix
- Platforms: Playstation 4, Playstation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch, macOS, Linux, and Microsoft Windows
If you’re looking for a football experience that is different from the usual, giving Rocket League a try will surprise you. You can create a custom team filled with friends to compete against other players in a series of tournaments and official competitions inside the game. Every match is filled with adrenaline and will make you want to play for hours.
Even though offline play is present, online is where it shines the most. The football tournaments are the most typical modes available, but you’ll also find basketball and even hockey options. If you like online experiences, this is the competitive edge, and there are many tricks to learn.
The game offers a unique experience that will surely please those looking for competitive challenges and playing against other users worldwide. The best part is that it is free to play and will offer cross-play features regardless of where you play it.
eFootball 2024
- Release Date: May, 2017
- Developer: Konami
- Platforms: Playstation 4, Playstation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Android, iOS, and Microsoft Windows
Konami’s football game has always been FIFA’s biggest rival, and it has also undergone a rebranding in the last few years. Just like FIFA became EA Sports FC, eFootball was widely known as Pro Evolution Soccer, or simply PES.
The game might have few gameplay offerings inside the platforms when compared to FIFA, but there are tons of advantages that make this game a great option if you’re looking for a similar experience. To start, this is probably the game that looks most like FIFA mechanically and graphically.
Another advantage of this game is that, since the change to eFootball, it turned into a free-to-play title that you can download and play on almost any platform without spending a single penny.
The game has the most famous football players and teams in the world and also features computer-generated characters for selected modes. If you want a similar experience, this might be a good one.
Mario Strikers: Battle League
- Release Date: June, 2022
- Developer: Nintendo and Next Level Games
- Platforms: Nintendo Switch
Did you know that Mario’s famous fantasy world also has its own football game? Mario Strikers is an excellent game if you’re not looking for the most realistic experience or just looking for a great party game to play with your friends.
It will also please the fans of FIFA Street as it has a similar camera style. The difference here is that you’ll also use powers and special abilities to ensure victory for your team.
You can play with up to seven friends locally to create two teams that will compete against each other in a football match that is different from everything else. But you can play with up to 10 players in a 5v5 system if you’re playing online, ensuring even more friends can join the fun and see everything this incredible game has to offer.
The rules are simple: whoever scores more points wins. To do that, use your abilities and show your football skills inside the field. Each character has particular powers and characteristics to help you score goals and win the match.
If you like party games or want something more casual, this game is perfect for you. The colorful graphics and power mechanics are the key difference that makes this game so unique.
Goals
- Release Date: To Be Announced
- Developer: Goals AB
- Platforms: Playstation 4, Playstation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, macOS, and Microsoft Windows
One game that has yet to be released but deserves a spot in this list is Goals. The title takes a similar approach to UFL. It focuses on great physics and high-end graphics to deliver the best football experience possible if that’s what you’re looking for.
One of the best aspects of this game is that the developers already confirmed that it will be free to play. You can easily enjoy everything it has to offer without spending money on the platform. It will also feature crossplay, so Playstation and Xbox players can enjoy the experience without worrying about compatibility issues.
It is the first title of the gaming series and a promising release in the genre. The nice graphics and variety of options set it at a very high standard, especially compared to other games in the FIFA series.
If you liked eFootball’s graphics or the gameplay of Konami’s successor, this game should be on your radar. Prepare to become a footballing superstar in this year’s release: Goals.
Time to Start Scoring Goals
Whether you’re looking for a game with real-life players to play with your favourite stars or a more arcade-like experience to completely escape from the tedious and tiring routine, the genre is full of options for you to choose from. From the flawless experience of team management and gameplay of FootballTeam to the competitive environment of Rocket League, each title offers a unique experience to choose from and enjoy.
We all love football and thankfully, there is a series of options if you like FIFA and other games of the genre. We showed you the main ones, but there are hundreds of others to discover.
Now, it’s time for you to enter the field and become the best football player in the world. Make sure to look at each title listed above to see which one best suits what you’re looking for. Whatever you choose, prepare yourself for endless fun and immersive experiences.