Iceland Isn't in FIFA 17 Because EA Didn't Offer Enough Money For the Rights

Ice cold

by Robert Ramsey Fri 23rd Sep 2016

If you kept up with this summer's Euro tournament, you'll know that Iceland did incredibly well for a team made up of relative nobodies from a very sparsely populated country. One of the lowest ranked sides in the tournament, Iceland made it all the way to the quarterfinals - and they even knocked out England to get there.

Naturally, the underdog team stole a lot of hearts, but despite their sudden popularity, Iceland won't be featured among the international teams in upcoming footy sim FIFA 17. According to Iceland's football association president Geir Thorsteinsson, this is because publisher EA didn't offer enough money for the rights to use Iceland in the game.

EA apparently offered around $15,000 for the rights, but Thorsteinsson compares the amount to "almost free". A counteroffer was made asking for a larger sum, but the publisher supposedly didn't respond.

What's more, GameSpot points out that a Tweet confirming the team's 'Viking Clap' celebration would be in the game has since been deleted. We guess that's not going to be a feature on the back of the box, then.

What do you make of this? Were you looking forward to playing as Iceland? Don't you dare start that clap in the comments section below.

[source gamespot.com]

Robert (or Rob if you're lazy) is an assistant editor of Push Square, and has been a fan of PlayStation since the 90s, when Tekken 2 introduced him to the incredible world of video games. He still takes his fighting games seriously, but RPGs are his true passion. The Witcher, Persona, Dragon Quest, Mass Effect, Final Fantasy, Trails, Tales — he's played 'em all. A little too much, some might say.

1
usb
Fri 23rd Sep 2016

That amount of money is insulting. I do not play Fifa and would never have played as iceland but I am sure there are consumers in Iceland that will be annoyed by the arrogance of EA regarding this matter.

2
Panic_Attache
Fri 23rd Sep 2016

Alternatively, Iceland isn't in FIFA 17 because they didn't accept EA offer for rights. Surely EA have a deal with FIFA for all teams, but then that would negate any additional money grabbing...

3
Boerewors
Fri 23rd Sep 2016

This is your chance PES! Finally a license you aren't cheated out of by EA because they demand full exclusivity, just like they do in the NFL. "EA: destroying sportsgames (and the Porsche brand) since 1996!"

4
dellyrascal
Fri 23rd Sep 2016

@stevejcrow I think the brand of FIFA is what EA pay for, hence when a World Cup comes along, they have to license the tournament itself to include every nation and player.

PES had the Euros and licensed kits and faces, yet this years version has reverted back to standard unlicensed national teams. hence made up names in Wales are back, when they had a fully licensed side, featururing Bale and Joe Ledley's beard et al.

Since the big problems EA had with Brazilian licenses a couple of years ago, more teams are starting to understand that they have a bit more control over their image rights, including native FA's, hence why Barcelona, Arsenal, Liverpool etc have been specifically licensed by Konami for PES. I dont think there is too much the developers can really do. Eventually we'll either see specific editions based around teams / leagues or sides simply left out...

5
MrSensical
Fri 23rd Sep 2016

I mean, I'd take $15k for an appearance in a multi-million selling game, but that's just me.

6
Tasuki
Fri 23rd Sep 2016

I guess this mean @get2sammyb can't get his revenge with England in FIFA 17

7
Mahe
Fri 23rd Sep 2016

EA offering a bad deal? Who'd have thought?

8
themcnoisy
Fri 23rd Sep 2016

15k is almost as much as @Anchorsam_9 drops on ultimate team ever year.

9
FullbringIchigo
Fri 23rd Sep 2016

you would think the amount EA over charge on their products they could afford to pay a bit more, cheapskates

10
Kamikaze_Krunch
Fri 23rd Sep 2016

The question here is how much does EA pay for other teams?

11
itshoggie
Fri 23rd Sep 2016

Don't really care, I'd never play with them tbh

12
FantasyMeister
Fri 23rd Sep 2016

I guess it's good that the Iceland FA consider their brand worth more, bad that they lost out on $15k; that's a lot of footballs, rebound nets, cones, pitch hires, youth development funding and kit that they'll have to find elsewhere now.

Hopefully they'll reach an agreement for FIFA 18.

13
Fight_Teza_Fight
Fri 23rd Sep 2016

Good on Iceland! It's nice to see some national pride. Iceland along with Wales were the darlings of the European Championships & they really boosted their standing in world football. Most of their players aren't even full time professionals, yet they still managed to send England's overpaid 'stars' home.