If you went to the store looking for "FIFA 25" and came back empty-handed, don't worry—you haven't lost your mind. After a 30-year partnership, the governing body of soccer (FIFA) and the game developer (EA Sports) had a very public, very expensive breakup.

The result? The game we’ve called "FIFA" since the 90s is now officially EA Sports FC.

For the kids, nothing has really changed. It’s the same engine, the same players, and the same high-intensity gameplay. For parents, it’s just a new logo to look for on the digital storefront. The "FIFA" name might eventually return under a different developer, but for now, if your kid wants the "real" soccer game, they want FC.

It’s easy to think, “Why don’t they just go outside and kick a real ball?” But EA Sports FC offers something the local park can't: the ability to play as Jude Bellingham or Erling Haaland in front of a screaming virtual crowd.

Beyond the actual sport, the game has become a massive social hub. Kids aren't just playing matches; they are:

Learn more about why "pack opening" videos are so addictive for kids

If your child is asking for your credit card, it’s almost certainly for Ultimate Team (often called FUT). This is the game's most popular mode and its biggest money-maker.

In Ultimate Team, players build a custom squad using "cards" representing real-life athletes. To get the best cards, you either have to play for hundreds of hours or buy "FC Points" with real money to purchase packs.

The No-BS Take: Ultimate Team is a casino-lite experience. The odds of pulling a top-tier player like Mbappé from a standard pack are astronomically low (often less than 1%). This creates a "pay-to-win" environment where kids feel pressured to spend money just to keep up with their friends' teams. If you aren't careful, a few $4.99 transactions can quickly turn into a $500 bill.

Check out our guide on managing in-game spending and loot boxes

While the game itself is rated E for Everyone (or PEGI 3), the online environment is... not. Soccer is a passionate sport, and that translates to "sweaty" (highly competitive/intense) gameplay.

EA collects a fair amount of data, and the game encourages linking accounts to mobile apps like the FC Companion App. This app allows kids to trade players and buy packs on their phones, which can lead to the game bleeding into school hours or bedtime.

At this age, kids should mostly stick to offline modes like "Career Mode" or "Kick-Off" where they can play against the computer or siblings. It's a great way to learn the mechanics without the pressure of online competition or the temptation of spending money. Recommendation: Disable the "Store" or set a hard $0 spend limit on the console level.

This is when the social pressure peaks. They’ll want to play online and build their dream team. This is the time for a "money talk." Recommendation: Instead of a blank check, consider a "points allowance" or require them to "earn" packs through gameplay rather than your wallet.

Teens may start looking at the competitive scene or trading players like stocks on the "Transfer Market." Recommendation: Monitor for signs of genuine frustration or "tilt." If the game is making them miserable instead of happy, it’s time for a break.

If the gambling-adjacent mechanics of FC 25 give you the ick, there are other ways for them to get their sports fix:

It’s soccer, but with rocket-powered cars. It’s free-to-play, incredibly high-skill, and while it has a shop for cosmetics, you can't "buy" a better car that makes you play better. It’s pure skill.

Think soccer, but with items like Mario Kart. It’s chaotic, fun, and completely safe from the "loot box" grind. Perfect for younger kids or family game night.

If your kid is a stats nerd who loves the strategy more than the twitch-reflexes, this is the one. There’s no "playing" the match—you are the manager. It’s basically a high-end spreadsheet that is surprisingly addictive and educational regarding economics and management.

Instead of just saying "no" to the game, try asking these questions to understand how your kid is engaging with it:

EA Sports FC is a fantastic sports simulator wrapped in a somewhat predatory monetization shell. It’s not "brain rot" in the way some mindless mobile games are—it requires genuine strategy, hand-eye coordination, and an understanding of the sport.

However, the "Ultimate Team" mode is designed by world-class psychologists to keep players engaged and spending. As long as you set firm boundaries on spending and keep the console in a common area to monitor the "salt levels" during online play, it’s a perfectly fine hobby for a soccer-obsessed kid.

Ask our chatbot for a step-by-step guide on setting up parental controls for EA Sports FC