Featured Image Credit: Getty
Topics: FIFA, FIFA World Cup, Football, Lionel Messi
Ryan Smart
A demo for a FIFA World Cup 2026 video game was 'leaked' and then quickly deleted, it has been reported.
FIFA, football's world governing body, partnered with EA Sports to produce video games based on its likeness up until 2022.
However, their exclusive agreement ended that year, with FIFA president Gianni Infantino declaring in a statement: "I can assure you that the only authentic, real game that has the FIFA name will be the best one available for gamers and football fans.
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"The FIFA name is the only global, original title. FIFA 23, FIFA 24, FIFA 25 and FIFA 26, and so on - the constant is the FIFA name and it will remain forever and remain THE BEST."
FIFA granted a short-term extension to EA for a further year only, hence the existence of FIFA 23, but there was no FIFA 24 or FIFA 25, and, so far, no FIFA 26.
EA have continued creating games under EA FC branding, including the upcoming EA FC 26, but a promised rival game from FIFA has never materialised.
Instead, fans have had to make do with EA FC and eFootball, the rebranded free-to-play version of Pro Evolution Soccer which focuses solely on its online myTeam mode and has faced mixed reviews from players.
But The Athletic's Adam Crafton reports that his outlet 'obtained access' to footage of what is described as a 'secret demo' for a new video game ahead of the World Cup.
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He adds that the demo was complete with FIFA branding, with the clip - lasting one minute and 15 seconds - posted on video platform Vimeo. It is now not accessible.
It is said to have shown Lionel Messi scoring a goal for Argentina against Spain, with advertising hoardings complete with FIFA sponsors and branding.
The report adds that, in the clip, the game is described as 'the exclusive home of the World Cup'.
The existence of the demo might come as a surprise to many fans, with no public indication given that there would be a World Cup game released next summer.
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EA previously released standalone World Cup games up until 2018, before they added a World Cup 'update' to the existing FIFA game for 2018 and 2022.
Crafton adds that the video was posted on LinkedIn by a user who says he is the co-founder of a game development company called Refactor Games. They told the outlet that they had not been invited to develop a demo by FIFA nor were under any contract.
FIFA declined to comment on commercially sensitive topics when approached by The Athletic. SPORTbible have also approached FIFA for comment.