Roy Kent, Sam Obisanya, Dani Rojas, Jamie Tartt, and the Greyhounds will be playable in the latest edition of EA Sports’ killer app.
Ever watch Ted Lasso and think about how AFC Richmond would stack up against your favorite team in video game form? Ever ponder Dani Rojas’ hypothetical finishing rating, or whether you could make it through a whole game without Roy Kent slide-tackling his way right into a sending-off?
Thanks to a partnership between EA Sports and Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment, fans around the world no longer have to treat these ideas as hypotheticals — the fictional football club lovingly known by locals as the Greyhounds will be playable in EA Sports’ FIFA 23, the companies announced Wednesday.
The club will be playable in Career Mode, Kickoff, Online Friendlies, and Online Seasons. AFC Richmond kits, tifos, manager items, and other content can be unlocked across FIFA Ultimate Team and Pro Clubs modes.
Lasso, the folksy and inspirational American football coach portrayed by Jason Sudeikis in Emmy-winning fashion, will additionally be a selectable manager in Career Mode — and if you create a player, you can add them to the AFC Richmond squad.
“I am truly fortunate, and deeply grateful, to have had many special moments in my career thus far, and I consider this experience among the best of them,” Sudeikis said. “As long-time fans of EA Sports FIFA, having Ted Lasso and the whole AFC Richmond squad incorporated into the newest version of the game is truly a dream come true for myself and the rest of the fellas. Our cast and crew work tremendously hard on this show, and we are flattered that it resonates with so many folks. We look forward to our fans having the opportunity to play with, play as, and even play against their favorite AFC Richmond characters.”
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AFC Richmond and players including Roy Kent (Brett Goldstein), Jamie Tartt (Phil Dunster), Sam Obisanya (Toheeb Jimoh), and Dani Rojas (Cristo Fernández) will be listed among the clubs categorized under “Rest of The World” league in Kick Off, Online Friendlies, and Online Seasons mode.
“In a short time and with limited prior experience, Ted Lasso has become a cultural phenomenon, bringing the passion of football and the power of belief to life for millions of fans across the globe,” said David Jackson, EA Sports FIFA’s VP of brand. “We’re thrilled to welcome both Ted and AFC Richmond to FIFA 23.”
In FUT and Pro Clubs mode, AFC Richmond kits, Nelson Road Stadium, team items like badges and flags, as well as Lasso and Coach Beard manager items will also be available.
“It is so fucking cool to be in FIFA. I’m not sure this is going to help dispel the CGI rumours, but fuck it, totally worth it,” said Emmy Award-winner Brett Goldstein, who plays AFC Richmond’s stern but lovable Roy Kent. “I look forward to beating my nephew in a game with me as Roy Kent and him as Jamie Tartt. He’s gonna be furious.”
FIFA 23 releases worldwide on Sept. 30 and will be available for PlayStation 4 and 5, XBox One and Series X/S, Nintendo Switch, Microsoft Windows PCs, and Stadia.
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