FIFA Launches Virtual Roblox Metaverse Ahead of World Cup Qatar 2022

In Brief

• FIFA announced the launch of its virtual ecosystem "FIFA World."
• The organization seeks to attract new football fans and provide immersive experiences and exclusive challenges during the World Cup.
• The Roblox metaverse will also release activities during the Women's World Cup scheduled for 2023.

The International Football Federation (FIFA) announced the launch of its virtual ecosystem, ‘FIFA World,’ in the Roblox metaverse. It hopes to attract new football fans through games, immersive experiences, and exclusive rewards.

In a release, FIFA stated that the launch of the virtual environment in Roblox is ahead of the upcoming 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.

A promise of evolution in the metaverse
FIFA promises to continue developing interactive football experiences for fans and launch free-to-play challenges to earn rewards.

The statement added, “As part of its commitment to developing new football gaming titles for fans, FIFA will work with Roblox to create an exciting new online immersive experience for all football fans to hang out in social spaces, earn rewards and collect exclusive virtual items through various skill games and multiple collectors’ challenges.”

FIFA Chief Business Officer Romy Gai said, “As part of our commitment to grow football and develop ways for new fans to engage with the sport, FIFA’s immersive experience on Roblox will provide football fans with a hugely exciting new way to interact with friends, celebrate the rich culture and heritage around the world’s biggest sports competition, and demonstrate their creativity and national pride through various features and mechanics.”

FIFA has previously expressed interest in the metaverse. In late July, it filed a new patent application with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) to register the 2026 World Cup in the metaverse and virtual sports products.

As per Gai, “FIFA believes that such a multi-layered experience will result in a truly inclusive and fun gameplay – in turn, engaging new and existing football fans from across the globe, as well as promoting the values of the sport to an even broader audience.”

FIFA will cover more World Cups in the metaverse
The FIFA World is also set to video content built from FIFA+’s extensive library. Alongside exciting in-game events, the metaverse could also make for the unique appearance of Spanish star Pedri and German icon Lena Oberdorf.

FC Barcelona star Pedri also expressed his excitement in the release, stating, “It’s incredibly exciting to see FIFA and Roblox come together, and I can’t wait to be a part of FIFA World as it continues to evolve! The football fans I see in the stands every week love gaming and it’s great to be taking the FIFA World Cup to them in the digital space and interacting with them directly in our Roblox world.”

With the launch today, FIFA World promises to evolve to celebrate FIFA’s top-tier tournaments, including the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023.

Last September, FIFA introduced its “FIFA + Collect” platform, built on the Algorand blockchain, and will be available at the end of September. It will display historical collections of soccer milestones, World Cup, and Women’s World Cup art pieces.

Christina Wootton, VP of Global Partnerships at Roblox, added: “We believe discovering and enjoying events together with friends from all over the globe is a unique experience that often can’t be replicated in the physical world. With FIFA World, fans are able to come together to celebrate and express their fandom with one another, support their favourite teams, and get access to FIFA’s top sporting events year round.”

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