In the gamer parlance, what would become the biggest sports video game franchise of all time began as a side quest. By the early 1990s, Electronic Arts had followed the success of John Madden Football by developing games in other major American sports and wondered what sport to tackle next. A London‑based team proposed a soccer game, projecting lofty sales and the promise of a global audience ahead of the 1994 FIFA World Cup in the United States.

The idea faced strong skepticism at headquarters, yet a tiny Vancouver team received a budget and a mandate to prove the concept. Long hours, uncertain funding, and a lack of precedent for a lasting franchise tested the developers. Despite repeated cuts, the project persevered, driven by passion and belief that soccer could become EA’s next global hit.

Since the 1993 launch of FIFA International Soccer, the franchise has grown to over 1,500 employees worldwide, licensing 200,000 real‑life players across 750 clubs and 120 stadiums. The result is a realistic, data‑rich experience that feels almost indistinguishable from broadcast footage, cementing FIFA’s position as the trusted home of football.

Today, FIFA is widely regarded as the best‑selling sports video game franchise, with 325 million units sold by 2021—more than double Madden’s 150 million. Its pioneering isometric view, introduced in 1993, set it apart from top‑down competitors and helped transform soccer gaming into a cultural hub for fans worldwide.