For nearly three decades, the FIFA video game series — now rebranded as EA Sports FC — has allowed millions of players to fulfill football fantasies in the virtual world. But for many, the nostalgia goes beyond the goals: the soundtracks have become an essential part of the experience, introducing artists who defined eras and opening doors to international sounds.
EA's first game to feature a licensed soundtrack was FIFA 98, which bet on Blur's Brit rock and electronic acts like The Crystal Method. In the late 1990s and early 2000s, the franchise's musical identity solidified with European electronic and rock: FIFA 99 was headlined by Fatboy Slim; FIFA 2000 opened with Robbie Williams and included Apollo 440; and FIFA 2001 brought Moby's classic Bodyrock.
With the arrival of DVD on the seventh generation of consoles, the extra disc space allowed for expanded playlists. FIFA 2002 already featured Gorillaz and DJ Tiësto. In the following years, the series maintained its British and European vibe, with Idlewild, Ms. Dynamite, and Sportfreunde Stiller (2003), and later incorporated heavy rock with Radiohead, Kasabian, and Kings of Leon (2004), along with electronic music from Underworld and Paul van Dyk. It was also in 2004 that Latin sounds began to appear, with Café Tacvba, Tribalistas, and Vicentico.
From 2005 onward, diversity increased: Franz Ferdinand, Morrissey, and New Order coexisted with Ivete Sangalo, Mala Rodríguez, and the reggaeton of Zion & Lennox. In 2006, Oasis and LCD Soundsystem; in 2007, Keane, Muse, Bersuit Vergarabat, and Seu Jorge; in 2008, Junkie XL and Aterciopelados; in 2009, Duffy, MGMT, Macaco, and Señor Flavio.
In the 2010s, geographic variety expanded even further. FIFA 10 brought Major Lazer, Wyclef Jean, Bomba Estéreo, and Los Fabulosos Cadillacs. FIFA 11 repeated Gorillaz, MGMT, and LCD Soundsystem, and added Linkin Park, Massive Attack, and ChocQuibTown. In 2012, The Strokes, The Hives, and Foster the People; in 2013, Imagine Dragons, Bastille, deadmau5, and Flo Rida; in 2014, Nine Inch Nails, CHVRCHES, The 1975, and Illya Kuryaki & The Valderramas; in 2015, Avicii and The Kooks; in 2016, Beck and Icona Pop; in 2017, Capital Cities, Kygo, and Sofi Tukker.
FIFA 18 marked the debut of Residente (ex-Calle 13) in the franchise, alongside Alt-J, Lorde, and Run the Jewels. In 2019, the soundtrack included Billie Eilish, Childish Gambino, and Peggy Gou. FIFA 20 bet on J Balvin, Rosalía, and Ozuna. FIFA 21 brought Anitta, Cardi B, and other global sensations.
The series continues in 2026 under the name EA Sports FC, maintaining the tradition of selecting artists who reflect global and local trends, from alternative rock to Latin pop, through electronic music and hip hop.