FIFA 23 sees the return of Serie A giants Juventus with full licensing for the first time since 2019, now that Konami’s exclusive partnership with the Italian club has come to an end.
One of the biggest factors that keeps EA Sports and its FIFA series ahead of the competition is the wide array of licenses they hold for various football leagues and clubs.
This enables the developers to deliver a more authentic experience, complete with real kits and stadia to help the fans feel truly immersed. FIFA 22 featured over 700 licensed teams from around the world, but a few big names were noticeably missing.
However, following the news that the J-League is to be removed, FIFA 23 will see the return of one of the biggest clubs missing from the roster – Juventus.
FIFA 23 welcomes Juventus back to the game
An official press release had this to say regarding Juventus’ return to the game: “Today, EA SPORTS and Juventus Football Club announced a new, multi-year partnership, which will see Juventus return to EA SPORTS’ renowned football video game series beginning in EA SPORTS™ FIFA 23, launching September 30.”
Additionally: “This partnership will see EA SPORTS become Juventus’ exclusive Sport Video Gaming Partner, with a fully authentic in-game integration that will feature Juventus’ stadium, Allianz Stadium, along with the club’s logo and kits. Both partners are also excited to work across a number of lifestyle and cultural initiatives bringing new opportunities outside of football.”
This means that in FIFA 23 fans can play as Juventus in their official black and white strip and the Juventus Stadium will be fully recreated. The club’s players will also have the real-life badge on their Ultimate Team cards.
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Not only that, but club legend Claudio Marchisio will also be joining the game as a FUT Hero.
Juve is back in #FIFA23
🖤🤍 The Bianconeri are officially back in the game as a part of a new partnership between @juventusfc and @easportsfifa. Narrated by Juve legend @ClaMarchisio8, this film celebrates a new chapter in the club’s story of a great love. Juve per sempre sarà. pic.twitter.com/LExyXe0fML
— EA SPORTS FC (@EASPORTSFC) July 25, 2022
Since FIFA 20, due to the Konami partnership, Juve had been known as Piemonte Calcio and had a custom-made crest and kits, despite all players retaining their likeness.
Juventus are one of four Serie A teams that have been missing from recent FIFA entires, along with Roma, Lazio, and Atalanta, all of which have been given new kits and badges designed by EA Sports.
Unfortunately, the three remaining clubs will still be unlicensed in FIFA 23 as their deals with Konami began later. Roma left in FIFA 21, while FIFA 22 was the first title without Atalanta and Lazio.
Although the Serie A still isn’t complete, players will be over the moon to see one of the biggest clubs in European football returning in FIFA 23. For more on this year’s entry in the series, check out everything we know about FIFA 23.