US Women's Soccer Team Player Featured on FIFA '16 Cover
You’d be surprised the difference in popularity and respect given to male and female athletes. While some make millions for sometimes not doing so well, others make very little and still win on the world’s greatest stages. Take, for example, the 2015 US Women’s Soccer Team, a team that just recently won the World Cup 5-2 over Japan, avenging their loss from the previous World Cup. Their victory was seen as a beacon for change to come to sports and to the world at large in regards to equality. And though it may not happen immediately, things are happening and shifting right now. For example, the upcoming FIFA ’16, one of the most popular video game franchises in the world, is going to feature Alex Morgan from the US Women’s Soccer Team on the cover alongside Lionel Messi. When Morgan heard about this, she stated:
“I’m thrilled that EA Sports is celebrating female athletes in FIFA 16. To be featured in the game and to promote women’s soccer with Alex is really special and another exciting step for women in sports.”
Just in case you were curious, this has never happened before, especially in North America. And FIFA ’16 will feature women’s soccer gameplay for the first time in FIFA game history. Also, in Canada, Christine Sinclair will grace the cover for her home country.
This may seem like a small gesture, but it could be the beginning of something much greater. Winners win, and they should be respected for that regardless of race or gender, and this proves that some people get that. Especially EA and FIFA, FIFA VP and GM David Rutter told IGN:
“We’ve always felt that there were things that needed to be done in the game that were more pressing – making passing work, or shooting etc. – but the fact of the matter is that the tools and the technology that we have on the game team now is at a level where you can really do the authenticity of the women’s game justice.”
You can check out the cover image for FIFA ’16, featuring Morgan, below. FIFA ’16 will be available on September 22 for PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 and Windows PC.