After 104 matches, the 2026 World Cup is over. While soccer fans can look to league play as some seasons start up and others continue, you can also dial into EA Sports FC 27. Or at least start dialing in with Kylian Mbappé.
EA Sports has announced that Kylian Mbappé is the EA Sports FC 27 cover athlete. But this isn’t the first time that France’s striker has been on the cover of the game, after gracing the cover for the FIFA 2021, 2022, and 2023 editions of the game franchise before it became FC. Mbappé will also be featured as the new cover athlete for EA Sports FC Mobile.
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“To be featured on the cover of an EA Sports FC title for the first time is a very special moment for me,” said Kylian Mbappé in a press release from EA Sports. “It’s an honor to continue my long-term relationship with the franchise in its latest chapter, alongside the players who have shaped its history. I can’t wait for everyone to experience FC 27.”
While we have only seen the FC 27 Ultimate Edition cover, more is sure to come. One of the standout factoids of this partnership is that, unlike many players, Mbappé maintains complete control of his likeness, allowing him to opt out of partnerships and brand deals he doesn’t feel align with the young audience that looks up to him. But there has always been room for EA Sports.
Why is Kylian Mbappé the EA Sports FC 27 cover athlete?
The simple answer is that whether it’s for club or country, Mbappé’s status as one of the best in the world has already been secured, and you see that when just looking back on the last two years with Real Madrid alongside Brazil’s Vinícius Júnior and England’s Jude Bellingham.
Since his move to Real Madrid in 2024, Mbappé has excelled, delivering at football’s highest level. He has finished as LALIGA EA SPORTS’ top scorer in each of his two seasons in Spain, and claimed the 2025-26 UEFA Champions League Golden Boot after scoring 15 goals in the competition.
“We’re thrilled to welcome Kylian back to the franchise as the cover star of EA Sports FC 27,” said Jeff Sharma, Vice President, Franchise Strategy and Marketing at EA Sports FC in the same release. “Kylian’s achievements for both club and country have established him as one of the defining players of his generation. He embodies the ambition, creativity and global appeal that defines EA Sports FC today, and we’re proud to continue our partnership with him as he returns to lead EA Sports FC 27.”
While the choice to put the French star was deeply connected to his time and success at Real Madrid, the UEFA Champions League Golden Boot wasn’t the only hardware he has on his shelf. After winning the World Cup with the French National team at just 18, his trophy room is already on the way to being filled.
And while the French National Team finished in fourth place in a dramatic and thrilling 4-6 game against England in the 2026 World Cup, Mbappé was still as bright as ever. He left the tournament with the Golden Boot, scoring two more goals than Argentina’s Lionel Messi, and the new record for most goals scored in World Cup play by one player, once again surpassing Messi after the two batted the historic record back and forth all tournament.
When can we see EA Sports FC 27 gameplay?
When is the release date?
The latest EA Sports FC title will release on September 25, 2026, on PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PC, Nintendo Switch, and Nintendo Switch 2. The game is also currently available for pre-order.
The EA Sports FC 27 Ultimate Plus Edition includes:
General
- Up to 7 Days Early Access
- Premium Passes for Seasons 1 through 5
- 10,000 FC Points over 5 months
- Ultimate Team
- 85+ OVR ICON International Player Item
- 1 of 5 Hall of FUT Player Pick (choose 1 from Adebayo Akinfenwa, Giovani dos Santos, Loic Remy, Marouane Fellaini, Eljero Ellia)
- Additional Player Evo Slot
- 99 DRI Stat Evolution in EA SPORTS FC 26 (sold separately)
- 99 PHY Stat Evolution for EA SPORTS FC 26
- 93+ OVR ICON 1 of 4 Player Pick for EA SPORTS FC 26
Career
- Pre-Order Challenges
- Dynamic OVR Pre-Season Boost
- 3x ICONs/Heroes
- 5-Star Coach
- 5-Star Youth Scout
- 5-Star Senior Scout
- +5 Manager Live Challenge Creation Slots
The Grounds
- The Grounds Signature Sweatsuit
- Mbappé Tier 3 AMP
- 2x AXP for 10 matches
