EA SPORTS FC FUTURES and UEFA Launch Free Training Library (November 2023)

EA SPORTS FC FUTURES Strikes a Free Digital Training Deal With UEFA!

The new FC FUTURES initiative was announced with UEFA at the Grassroots Football Festival, during a training session Tottenham Hotspur's Dejan Kulusevski held with children.

EA SPORTS FC FUTURES Partners With UEFA

Electronic Arts has officially announced that a library of free digital training practices, created in collaboration with UEFA as part of the FC FUTURES initiative is now live. The released practices break down the training drills in EA SPORTS FC 24 for coaches, teachers and players to use in real-life daily training sessions. Designed to develop basic football skills such as dribbling, passing and defending, the practices are narrated by expert coaches who offer tips and guidance.

To experience the training practices online in six different languages, you can visit this link.

EA SPORTS also announced a growing list of 12 FC FUTURES ambassadors, made up of football coaches and legends who share the goal of developing community-level football around the world. In addition to the existing all-star lineup of FC FUTURES ambassadors (Ian Wright, Emma Hayes, Laura Georges and Fernando Morientes), the list includes Dejan Kulusevski, Vero Boquete, Zico, Marta, Gianfranco Zola, Bixente Lizarazu, Patrizia Panico and Simone Laudehr.

"It is an honor to have UEFA's backing and support for FC FUTURES," said James Salmon, Senior Brand Director at EA SPORTS. "We share the belief that integrating real football with digital EA SPORTS FC experiences offers a unique opportunity to engage and inspire fans in active and interactive play. Whether it is an event like a football festival or FC FUTURES' new free online training practices, joining forces for these moments is extremely meaningful."

The training practices and coaches were unveiled on October 13 in Stockholm at the UEFA Grassroots Football Festival, supported by EA SPORTS FC, as part of EA SPORTS' ongoing FC FUTURES initiative. The festival brought together 50 young male and female footballers from local schools and clubs, who took part in small-sided games and skills competitions inspired directly by the library of digital training practices. While the festival aims to promote the values of grassroots football, including respect, diversity, teamwork, resilience and friendship, it also shows that the digital gaming experience can have a real and positive impact on physical football development and can inspire the development of football.

FC FUTURES ambassador and Tottenham Hotspur/Swedish winger Dejan Kulusevski joined the coaching sessions and shared his own tips and tricks with young players throughout the day. Participants were also given special messages delivered virtually by Fridolina Rolfö, Magdalena Eriksson and Olivia Schough. EA SPORTS FC also said it will provide £10,000 worth of branded equipment to support local clubs, charities and schools and help coaches educate the next generation.

"I learned to play football in this area and I have a lot to teach. I am very excited to be part of this incredibly important event, which I believe will truly inspire Sweden's new generation of footballers," said Dejan Kulusevski. "Festivals like this offer a lot to the community, and combined with EA SPORTS' training practices, it is a great opportunity for everyone taking part. I wish I had had access to these tips and tricks when I was learning to dribble as a young kid!"

UEFA Technical Director and Chief of Football Zvonimir Boban said, "UEFA is happy to support EA SPORTS' innovative initiative that seamlessly combines virtual and real-world football experiences." "This initiative offers young people multidimensional engagement with the sport and provides an inclusive platform for players and coaches of every level. This is exactly the main idea of the UEFA Grassroots Programme: keeping football accessible, safe and fun for everyone who wants to take part while developing a strong bond with local clubs, schools and communities."

To access FC FUTURES' library of free digital training practices, you can visit EA SPORTS FC's website .

You can also watch the full video trailer of the FC FUTURES Academy, narrated by Ian Wright, here.