The first ever wintertime FIFA World Cup is upon us and it’s already starting to capture the imagination of fans.
The 2022 World Cup in Qatar has been something of a slow burner, with fans still getting out of the mindset of being midway through the domestic season to focus on their national teams.
The initial group stage action saw up to four matches broadcast live daily.
England overcame Iran on the second day of the competition before a bore draw with the USA to move closer to the last 16.
With the last 16 done and the quarter-finals beckoning, there will be fewer games per day and more time to wait between big matches.
If you’re looking for something to fill the gaps, we’ve got a selection of video and online games that’ll whet your appetite in the meantime.
FIFA 23
We’ll start with one of the more obvious selections for games console owners – the new FIFA 23.
It is the final release from the partnership between FIFA and EA Sports, which makes this something of a poignant game to own and play.
FIFA 23 has also recently released free downloadable content to incorporate a new 2022 World Cup mode.
Within this mode, you can play as your favourite nation and try to lead them to glory in Qatar.
You can also build a World Cup 2022 Ultimate Team to take on friends and strangers online.
The FIFA Mobile version is just as popular too, with over 100 million downloads of the Android version alone worldwide.
Football Finals X UP
Football Finals X UP is one of the newest slot titles to arrive at Betway Casino.
This five-reel game is set within the middle of a packed football stadium, with roaring crowds and other in-game football noises for company as you spin the reels.
If you’re missing the atmosphere of a football match in between World Cup games, Football Finals X UP ticks all the right boxes.
This casino has several other football-themed titles within its library of 400+ offerings. This includes the Football Star franchise, which recently saw a ‘Deluxe’ version released to the masses.
Football Manager 23
Sports Interactive’s latest iteration of the cult Football Manager series incorporates the 2022 FIFA World Cup into its 2022-23 season.
You can take charge of your favourite nation as the manager, rather than the players themselves like you do in FIFA 23.
It’s a very different gaming experience, as you’re required to be a master tactician and make the right picks in your starting XI.
In the most recent Football Manager editions, the game has included an improved 3D match engine, including new stadia and match conditions.
However, experts of the franchise feel that this year’s release has very little that differs from Football Manager 22, so if you already have that version you might decide to stick with that and hope next year’s version has more ground-breaking features.
World Cup France 98
EA Sports’ inaugural World Cup video game came a year after securing the official licensing rights from FIFA in 1997.
The World Cup France 98 video game holds heaps of precious memories and nostalgia for millennial football fans, with its release on the PlayStation, the Nintendo 64, PC and even the Nintendo Game Boy.
If you like your retro gaming, World Cup France 98 will tick all the right boxes.
It is the first World Cup video game not in 2D, with a 3D engine utilised for the first time.
On the PC version, DirectX helped to power the on-screen action.
The best feature of all in this release is the “World Cup Classics” mode, which allows you to set foot into one of 15 iconic World Cup contests and attempt to change the course of history.
Dream League Soccer 2022
First Touch Games are one of the masters of mobile-based football gaming and Dream League Soccer 2022 is another hugely popular release.
The game contains more than 4,000 FIFPRO™-licensed football stars which you can use to build a “dream team” to rise through the eight divisions of the game’s pyramid to become the cream of the crop.
You can control so much, including the medical, training and commercial side of your new virtual football club.
You can even rebuild your stadium ready to take on the “Legendary Division”.
With more than 100 million downloads on Android alone, it’s clear this freemium game is a hit. Just be mindful of the in-app purchases needed to enhance your gameplay.
The beautiful game just got more immersive and engaging than ever before, with some of these new releases having a lasting legacy after Qatar 2022.
