With over 30 entries in the FIFA and EA Sports FC series, there’s a lot of competition for the best covers of all time. We always relish a challenge and went through every single one to determine which are the definitive top 10 covers in FIFA and EA FC history.
Top 10 FIFA and EA FC covers of all time
10) FIFA 95
We go way back for our number 10 to the second-ever FIFA game. The first three entries in the series tended to pick their cover stars seemingly at random, and none were more random than Tottenham Hotspur’s Norwegian goalkeeper Erik Thorstvedt. The snap of Thorstvedt’s acrobatic save is (to this day) the only FIFA or EA FC primary cover to feature a goalkeeper.
With legends like Iker Casillas, Gianluigi Buffon, and Manuel Neuer failing to get the honors during their peak years, FIFA 95’s cover is likely to remain goalies’ only cover athlete representation for a while longer, which is why we couldn’t omit it from our list. Many keepers have appeared in alternative regional covers, but Erik Thorstvedt remains the only one to break through to the big stage.
9) EA FC 24 Ultimate Edition
Another historic cover that finds its way into our top 10 is that of the first EA Sports FC—the EA FC 24 Ultimate Edition, to be exact. It’s like EA wanted to band everyone together for the beginning of this new era and illustrated that intent with a large selection of stars from past and present, male and female, in one giant celebration of the beautiful game. We know the animations on some of these players can be a bit unflattering, but it’s the idea that counts.
8) FIFA 17
Squished between Leo Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo’s reigns as the primary FIFA cover stars is that loyal kid from Dortmund called Marco Reus. The FIFA 17 cover came to be as a result of a fan vote, which makes it that much more special. The fact Borussia’s kit is universally acclaimed and Reus was one of the most beloved players by neutrals only helps this cover’s case as one of the best.
7) FIFA 99
With all due respect to David Ginola and David Beckham, who graced the front of FIFA 97 and FIFA 98, respectively, we consider Dennis Bergkamp’s FIFA 99 cover art to be the first truly legendary one in the series. It may just be blinding nostalgia, but it’s the first cover we think of when the first few FIFAs are brought up. That grace and elegance the Dutchman always carried with him is unmistakable, and we’re happy it was captured in FIFA’s own history too.
6) FIFA 18 Ronaldo Edition
It’s almost shocking to think how Cristiano Ronaldo didn’t feature on a FIFA cover until he was 32 years old, but when he finally did, it was memorable. The base FIFA 18 cover isn’t bad per se, but we find the Ronaldo Edition much better. The focus on Cristiano’s face as he looks to place the ball on the ground and slot it past the goalkeeper is like nothing we’ve seen on any cover art prior or since. It is an iconic look by an iconic player on an iconic cover.
5) FIFA 08
Wayne Rooney and Ronaldinho were the first recurring FIFA cover stars, and frankly, each one of their four joint ventures could have made it in the top 10. We settled for just two, the first one being FIFA 08. The dissolving art style makes this one stand out already, but we also love the contrast between Rooney’s fierce energy and Ronaldinho’s relaxed smile on display. Someone definitely put some creative thought into this, and we want to let them know it’s noticed.
4) FIFA 14
Lionel Messi enjoyed a good run as the cover athlete, but none of his other appearances match FIFA 14. The Argentine looks like the soccer god that he is in this snap. Down smack in the middle of a goal celebration, with the fierce stare of someone who wasn’t questioning if he’ll score, but when. The powerful energy oozing from this cover is the exact opposite of Cristiano’s laser focus in FIFA 18, proving that opposites can be equally effective when done right.
3) FIFA 18 Icon Edition
It’s a shame Ronaldo never once sniffed a FIFA cover during his illustrious playing career, but at least we got the FIFA 18 Icon Edition to drool over. The golden font, the iconic celebration, the flying confetti in the background—it’s a magical setup for a cover that was 15 years too late but very much appreciated nonetheless.
2) FIFA 03
Simplicity can be just as effective as stylish designs, as is evident on the FIFA 03 front box. Just gather three of the most adored players of a generation, make them stare into the camera with as much cool factor as they can muster, and call it a day. We can’t say if our love for FIFA 03 as a game bumped this cover a few places up; all we know is that a top 10 FIFA covers list without it is impossible.
1) FIFA 06
Sometimes, you get it right the first time, and no amount of reruns can be as good as that initial effort. That’s what FIFA 06 is, Wayne Rooney and Ronaldinho’s first cover together. Just two legendary soccer players screaming with passion in the pouring rain, their only goal being to get that win for their team. It’s the platonic ideal of what a soccer player should be, captured in one shot, in the best FIFA and EA FC cover of all time.
Covers are one thing, but the games themselves are another. You can see how we ranked the best FIFA and EA FC games of all time and find out if a good cover often happens to go with an overall product of equal quality.
