FIFA 23: Why the inclusion of the WSL is so significant for women’s football

With the release of FIFA 23 just around the corner, EA Sports have been slowly releasing players’ ratings for the latest edition of the popular franchise.

As always, the ratings have sparked fiery debate among football fans. Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi have received downgrades, Karim Benzema and Kevin De Bruyne are among the five highest-rated – it has truly been a controversial ratings release.

There are still some ratings yet to be released, and they are surely among the most eagerly-awaited.

The anticipation started in July, when EA Sports announced women’s club teams would be added to FIFA for the first time ever.

Teams from the Women’s Super League in England, including Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United, and teams from Division 1 Féminine in France, including Paris Saint-Germain and Lyon, will be available on the game.

This means star players such as Vivianne Miedema, Sam Kerr, Wendie Renard, Ada Hegerberg and Marie-Antoinette Katoto will be given the full FIFA treatment, receiving their very own ratings.

There’s more to the inclusion of women’s teams on FIFA 23 than ratings, however. GiveMeSport Women explains just why it’s so significant to have female footballers on the iconic game.