Women’s football is not given enough attention in FIFA 22. Only the national teams can be found in the game. Alexia Putellas – left out by EA SPORTS before the season – has now been crowned World Player 2021.
The FIFA series from EA Sports has a long tradition. Since FIFA International Soccer in 1993, a lot has happened in terms of graphics, platforms and even player licences. FIFA 16 saw the debut of women’s football, with twelve national teams to choose from.
The scary thing: Six parts later, virtual women’s football is still treading water. Although there are now 17 national teams in FIFA 22, women are still not to be found in Ultimate Team, nor are there any clubs with which a career could be started.
EA makes gross blunder – Putellas takes it with humour
Almost emblematic of EA Sport’s handling of women’s football is the story of the “Top-22 Players” prior to the release of the latest offshoot. Despite FC Barcelona Femeni winning the treble in commanding fashion in the 2020/21 season and Alexia Putellas once again emerging as the standout player in the team, she was not included in the top 22 players.
While some fans raged under EA Sports’ tweet, calling it “a disgrace” and “ridiculous decisions”, Putellas took it with humour.
Nevertheless, she couldn’t resist making a casual comment: “To all those who mention me… That’s all right. I haven’t played FIFA in 15 years.” So although accompanied by a few emojis, she doesn’t seem to be a fan of the series.
Teammate Jennifer Hermoso, for example, was there with an 87. Putellas’ absence therefore caused many question marks in the community. Some comments even spoke of her simply being forgotten and therefore not being among the top selections.
After the FIFA 22 release in October, however, there was clarity: Putellas was in the game from the beginning, but only with an 85. After some updates around the turn of the year, the 27-year-old now has an acceptable 89 – but why EA Sports did not assess her overall strength accordingly before remains open.
At the latest after the seemingly “forgotten” Spaniard of all people was able to win the most prestigious awards for her achievements on the real field, EA Sports should think about how they bring women’s football to the fore in their game. Because for the year 2022, this is no longer appropriate.
