An unlikely partnership for the video game comeback of a popular map – and an even more unlikely story about FC Versailles.
With five matchdays remaining in the season, FC Versailles are still fighting to avoid relegation in the French third division. The club will play the important game against Dijon this Friday under a different name: FC Verdansk.
This is because Versailles has entered into a partnership with Xbox for the return of the Verdansk map in Call of Duty: Warzone, which includes the temporary rebranding.
The club’s identity change is set to last for a week and even includes an adaptation of the logo. The new crest is already emblazoned on the social media channels of FC Versailles, and the club is already listed as FC Verdansk on Xbox.
Fan feedback rather mixed
In the home game against Dijon, the Versailles players will be wearing special jackets, and special consoles and controllers have also been produced. In addition, the club will present exclusive content to “prepare their own fans” for the game, according to the press release.
On X, the partnership and renaming announced on Monday morning has so far been met with moderate interest: According to a survey comment, 74 percent of the more than 100 voters are not interested in the advertising campaign. 26 percent find it “unbelievable”.
Incidentally, Formula 1 driver Pierre Gasly, who is known to play Call of Duty in his free time, has been a shareholder in FC Versailles since spring 2024.
