FIFA 23 is a technically excellent soccer simulator that does exactly what it promises: realistic matches with licensed teams and players. If your kid loves soccer, they'll probably love this.
The problem is Ultimate Team, which is essentially a casino wrapped in a sports game. Kids open card packs hoping for Messi or Ronaldo, and the game is designed to make them want to keep opening more. Even if you lock down spending, the psychological hooks are there—teaching kids that success comes from lucky pack pulls rather than skill development.
Outside Ultimate Team, it's mostly fine. Career mode is strategic and educational. Online matches are competitive but can be toxic. It's narrow in scope—if they're not soccer fans, this won't suddenly make them enriched humans—but for the right kid, it's solid entertainment that teaches real sports knowledge.
Just keep them away from Ultimate Team, or at least have very frank conversations about why it's designed the way it is.









