FIFA Heroes: Mascots Lead FIFA’s First Football Game Without EA

When Electronic Arts and FIFA officially parted ways in 2022, it marked the end of a gaming era that had dominated living rooms for nearly three decades. EA chose to rebrand its flagship football series as EA Sports FC, creating fresh licensing deals with leagues and clubs. FIFA, meanwhile, vowed to prove it could stand independently in the interactive football world.

Now, in 2025, we finally have a clearer picture of what FIFA’s first big post-EA venture looks like: FIFA Heroes, a quirky, mascot-led football game scheduled to arrive in 2026 on consoles and mobile.

Unlike the hyper-realistic simulation of EA Sports FC, FIFA Heroes embraces a colorful arcade style. Instead of spotlighting world-famous footballers like Kylian Mbappé or Lionel Messi, the game introduces a cast of mascots representing national pride and creativity. Canada will be represented by Maple the Moose, Mexico by Zayu the Jaguar, and the United States by Clutch the Eagle. These cartoonish avatars will compete in five-a-side matches that blend football’s fundamentals with fast-paced arcade action, drawing comparisons to playful titles such as Mario Strikers or Sloclap’s Rematch.

The official press release emphasizes that players will be able to craft a dream squad not only from mascots but also from a mixture of fictional characters and familiar football personalities from across the sport’s history. Importantly, FIFA Heroes will not restrict itself to solo play: PvE (player versus environment) and PvP (player versus player) modes will both be available, allowing gamers to either test their skills against AI or challenge others online. Cross-platform support is expected for PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, and smartphones, reinforcing FIFA’s ambition to reach as broad an audience as possible.

Christian Volk, director of gaming and esports at FIFA, described the project as an attempt to bridge generations: “At FIFA, uniting people through the love of football has always been our priority. With FIFA Heroes, fans can mix treasured fictional heroes, their favourite players, and our mascots into one team. It’s a chance for kids to discover football joyfully while rekindling nostalgia for families who’ve grown up with FIFA over the years.” Volk also positioned the game under the FIFAe umbrella, as part of FIFA’s wider strategy to expand its digital football ecosystem beyond competitive esports.

The development itself is a collaboration between FIFA, Solace, and Enver Studios. Kyle Joyce, director at Solace, highlighted the studio’s philosophy: “From the outset, our mission with Enver has been to create pioneering experiences that capture the spirit of sport. Football is about speed, rivalry, drama, and above all community. FIFA Heroes is designed to embody those values while providing a distinctive alternative to simulation-based football games.”

The release year is especially strategic. With the 2026 FIFA World Cup returning to North America, FIFA clearly aims to ride the global surge of enthusiasm around the tournament. Mascots have always played a big role during World Cups, and leveraging that nostalgia could help FIFA attract both younger players and older fans. If successful, FIFA Heroes could carve out its own niche alongside EA’s established franchise, offering something less about stats and realism and more about fun, creativity, and accessibility.

Of course, questions remain. Can FIFA really compete in a market where EA dominates both licenses and simulation authenticity? Will fans embrace a mascot-first approach, or see it as too gimmicky? Ultimately, its longevity will depend on gameplay quality and whether it can sustain excitement beyond its World Cup-fueled launch window. Still, as the first major console and mobile release from FIFA since its breakup with EA, FIFA Heroes is more than just a game – it’s a statement of intent. FIFA is signaling it won’t fade into the background of digital football. Instead, it’s kicking off a new chapter – and mascots are leading the charge.