Erling Haaland 'leaked' as cover star of EA Sports FC 24

Erling Haaland will be the EA Sports FC 24 cover star when it drops in September, according to leaks.

The next EA Sports football game will be a historic release for not only the gaming giant, who ended its 30-year partnership with FIFA, but for Manchester City's record-breaking striker.

The 22-year-old Norwegian has enjoyed the most prolific year of his career to date. Since joining Pep Guardiola's side last summer for a reported £51.2 million, he has broken numerous records.

From the most goals in a single Premier League season [35] to becoming the fastest player to score 30 Champions League goals (25 games), Haaland has established himself as one of the biggest names in world football.

And after lifting the Premier League, Champions League and FA Cup with City last season, it appears the former Borussia Dortmund striker will be honoured with a place on the cover of EA Sports FC 24.

For the past three editions [FIFA 21, FIFA 22 and FIFA 23], Paris Saint-Germain forward Kylian Mbappe has featured on the box art of football's most popular game.

But according to reliable leaker and dataminer @billbil_kun, who has posted information on the website Dealabs, the French forward will be replaced by Haaland.

The leak also suggests the Ultimate version will feature up to 31 players, including Vinicius Jr, Pele, Zinedine Zidane, Sam Kerr and Son Heung-min, amongst others.

In terms of a release date, EA Sports FC 24 be reportedly be released on September 29, 2023, although players with the Ultimate Edition can start playing EA FC 24 from Friday, September 22, 2023.

EA Play members can also access their 10 hours of early access from the same date

Dealabs have also 'confirmed' that the game will be publicly revealed on July 13, 2023.

Cam Weber – the EVP, Group GM EA SPORTS & Racing - recently shed light on some details for EA Sports FC.

"This new independent platform will bring fresh opportunity – to innovate, create and evolve. This is much more than just a change of symbol - as EA SPORTS, we’re committed to ensuring EA SPORTS FC is a symbol of change," he said in an official statement.

"We’re dedicated to meaningfully reinvesting in the sport, and we’re excited to work with a large and increasing number of partners to expand to new authentic experiences that bring joy, inclusivity and immersion to a global community of fans. I look forward to sharing more detail on these plans in the coming months.

"EA SPORTS FC will allow us to realize this future and much more…but not before we deliver our most expansive game ever with our current naming rights partner, FIFA, for one more year. We are committed to ensuring the next FIFA is our best ever, with more features, game modes, World Cup content, clubs, leagues, competitions, and players than any FIFA title before."

He added: "We’re incredibly excited to build the future of global football with all of you, and will be happy to share more info on EA SPORTS FC in Summer 2023.

"The future of the sport is very big and bright, and football fandom is reaching across every corner of the world. Global football has been part of EA SPORTS for nearly thirty years - and today, we’re ensuring that it will be for decades to come."