Women’s soccer (or football) stars have shattered the gender barrier in sports and videogames by finally being allowed to grace the cover of EA’s massively-popular FIFA game. This year will be the first year that EA Sports adds women soccer players to the FIFA-licensed title.
Alex Morgan, a key player in Team USA’s 2015 World Cup title, will share the cover of FIFA 16’s U.S. edition with Lionel Messi, the world’s top male footballer.
And Canada has reason to be proud too. Christine Sinclair, captain of the Canadian team, will appear with Messi on the cover of the Canadian edition.
In another victory for equality, gamers will also be able to play as one of a dozen different women’s national teams: the USA, Canada (yay!), Brazil, England, Mexico, China, Germany, Australia, Italy, France, Spain and Sweden. FIFA 16 goes on sale in North America on Sept. 22.
In a statement, Alex Morgan said she’s excited her sponsor EA Sports is “putting such an important spotlight on women’s soccer.” The two female stars are “perfect cover athletes based on their accomplishments,” David Pekush Sr., manager of North American marketing for EA Sports, said in a statement.
While this is a major symbolic victory for women in sports and gaming, it must be remembered that women players still make very little money compared to their male counterparts, and this year’s Women’s World Cup was criticized for its use of artificial turf – which angered many female players, who point out that men’s tournaments are always played on real grass due to concerns about player safety.