The internet is having its fun with EA Sports FC 24’s Sims-like player faces [IGN]

EA has revealed the cover for the EA Sports FC 24 Ultimate Edition, and with it player faces that look more than a little odd.

The group photo shows legends including Pelé, Zinedine Zidane, and David Beckham alongside current stars such as Erling Haaland, Jude Bellingham, and Sam Kerr.

Here’s everyone in the picture:

Back row (L to R): Marta (BRA), Marcus Rashford (ENG), Rudi Völler (GER), Pelé (BRA), Zinedine Zidane (FRA), Bukayo Saka (ENG), Andrea Pirlo (ITA)

3rd row (L to R): Mia Hamm (USA), Johan Cruyff (NED), Alex Scott (ENG), Ronaldinho (BRA), Alexandra Popp (GER) Riquelme (ARG), Didier Drogba (CIV), Leicy Santos (COL)

2nd row (L to R): Jude Bellingham (ENG), David Beckham (ENG), Vinícius Jr. (BRA), Erling Haaland (NOR), Sam Kerr (AUS), Leah Williamson (ENG), Marquinhos (BRA), Youssoufa Moukoko (GER)

Front row (L to R): Alexander Isak (SWE), Selma Bacha (FRA), Alexia Putellas (SPA), Virgil Van Dijk (NED), Son Heung-Min (KOR), Trinity Rodman (USA), Federico Chiesa (ITA), Enzo Fernández (ARG)

You may have noticed some of the player faces look off. Rest assured the internet has, and the memes are already flooding in. The virtual faces for Bukayo Saka, Andrea Pirlo, and Ronaldinho in particular are being singled out for looking the least like their real-life counterparts, or just unintentionally hilarious.

Hold up… Some of these players look nothing like them 😭 pic.twitter.com/2mccOnxZoD

— Donk 🍊 (@DonkTrading) July 10, 2023

pic.twitter.com/bvUAWZduIf

— Khaled (@5weeld_20) July 10, 2023

😭😭😭 pic.twitter.com/Kg7pzNmzq7

— Will (@willreyner) July 10, 2023

Pirlo has seen things pic.twitter.com/CyZG2mWpxZ

— Markus Kilzheimer (@EliteOwNage12) July 10, 2023

pic.twitter.com/GSQYpZN4i7

— 𝐂𝐡𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐚𝐧 (@lfcchristiann) July 10, 2023

pic.twitter.com/QDjDoWGIcZ

— The Sportsman (@TheSportsman) July 10, 2023

I don’t see the difference pic.twitter.com/SZ81z2Ldbv

— Monica (@monicayxz) July 10, 2023

Pirlo is lost pic.twitter.com/3KBxHiP6zG

— Hype Your Games (@HypeYourGames) July 10, 2023

Conspicuous by their absence are Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. This cover marks a passing of the torch perhaps, not just for the series formerly known as FIFA, but for the two greatest players to have ever played the game.

Last week, a new report claimed EA Sports FC launches September 29, 2023. Reliable leaker billbil-kun revealed the release date alongside the expected Standard and Ultimate editions. Those who buy the expensive version get a week’s worth of early access from September 22, while EA Play subscribers get a 10 hour trial. IGN has asked EA for comment.

With EA’s FIFA no more, there is pressure on EA Sports FC to continue the gargantuan success the series has enjoyed over the years. Ahead of the announcement of the breakup last year, EA boss Andrew Wilson reportedly insisted the only value FIFA brought to the series was “four letters on the front of the box”. FIFA, for its part, has promised to put out its own game.

Little else is known about EA Sports FC, though it’s unlikely to significantly change the FIFA formula that served EA so well. Money-spinner Ultimate Team and its controversial loot boxes are expected to continue, and EA Sports FC will retain many existing official licenses, such as the Premier League.

EA is set to hold a livestream on July 13 to reveal more on EA Sports FC.

Wesley is the UK News Editor for IGN. Find him on Twitter at @wyp100. You can reach Wesley at wesley_yinpoole@ign.com or confidentially at wyp100@proton.me.