GAMING Erling Haaland: Man City's Norwegian goal machine begins the EA SPORTS FC era as cover star

Erling Haaland has succeeded Kylian Mbappe as the new and first-ever cover star of the new EA SPORTS FC franchise.

Manchester City and Norway striker Erling Haaland has been confirmed main cover star on EA SPORTS FC 24.

The prolific Norwegian goal machine will begin the new FC 24 video game era as its first cover star, replacing PSG superstar Kylian Mbappe, who had been the cover star in the past three editions of the now-defunct FIFA series.

Haaland took to his official social media page to announce that he had been chosen as the face of FC 24 on Thursday, following leaked rumours that the 22-year-old has replaced Mbappe as the cover star of the new game.

Haaland was announced as EA SPORTS FC 24’s cover star during the trailer reveal in Amsterdam on Thursday.

Alongside an image of himself on the game's front cover, Haaland took to Twitter to announce the news.

The Man City star tweeted: "Every footballer dreams of this. Proud to be on the cover for the first season of a new era @EASPORTSFC #FC24".

Minutes later EA SPORTS FC tweeted: "He's in the club. Erling Haaland is the EA SPORTS #FC24 Standard Edition Cover Star."

Haaland's announcement came just days after EA revealed the star-studded cover image for the Ultimate Edition of FC 24.

Revealed: What Erling Haaland said on becoming EA SPORTS FC 24 Cover star

Erling Haaland who was present in Amsterdam on Thursday, dressed in Silk Green Pyjamas by Dolce & Gabbana and a Green and White Nike AirForce High Top to match, expressed excitement following the announcement.

“Every footballer dreams of being the cover star. I am proud to play a major role in the launch of the new era of the world’s leading football game in EA SPORTS FC,” said Erling Haaland.

 “The first time I held the cover in my hands, my immediate reaction was to think, just imagine if I could show this to myself 10 years ago. I hope that this can also inspire the next generation to believe in themselves to achieve their dreams. It’s an honour not only to be on this cover, but also the Ultimate Edition cover alongside my illustrious peers and legends of the world’s game such as Johan Cruyff, Pelé, Zinédine Zidane, Ronaldinho, Didier Drogba and many more.”

Haaland is also featured in the EA SPORTS FC 24 Ultimate Edition cover which features 31 players, past and present.

EA SPORTS FC 24 will be the first soccer simulation published by EA since its partnership with FIFA ended in 2022 after both parties failed to reach an agreement.

EA Sports had been publishing FIFA-branded games every year since November 1994.

However, that run ended with FIFA 23, with the new game FC 24 set for release in September.

When will EA SPORTS FC 24 be released?

During a live-streamed event of EA Sports FC 24 Trailer reveal, the publisher announced that its new soccer franchise will debut in early access on September 22nd before a global launch on September 29th.

EA Sports FC 24 will be available on the PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X / S, Xbox One, PC, and Nintendo Switch.

However, HyperMotionV technology is only available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC versions.

Meanwhile, EA Play members will receive early access to the game with a 10-hour trial beginning on September 22.

 EA Play Pro members will also enjoy unlimited access to the EA Play Pro Edition of the game – including Ultimate edition content – starting September 22. 

Related content