Australian forward Sam Kerr will become the first female player to feature on the global cover of Electronic Arts' FIFA video game, when the nearly three decades-old franchise launches FIFA 23 this year.
Kerr, who plays for Women's Super League champions Chelsea, will be featured alongside Paris St Germain forward and France World Cup winner Kylian Mbappe, who has adorned the last two covers.
Kerr, 28, was the WSL's topscorer last season, with 20 goals in as many appearances. She has also scored 56 goals in 108 appearances for Australia, since her debut in 2009 at the age of 15.
"Two phenomenal forces up front, one ultimate strike partnership," tweeted EA Sports FIFA in a post revealing the cover.
Women have featured only on regional covers in previous years. American Alex Morgan and Canada's Christine Sinclair featured alongside Lionel Messi on the cover of the North American editions of FIFA 16 - the first to have women's teams.
The FIFA series is one of the world's most successful video-game franchises, raking in billions of dollars in sales. This year's edition is EA's final title, after they parted ways with world soccer governing body FIFA.
EA made a significant offer to FIFA for an eight-year exclusivity period across all of its gaming and esports rights, but the football body was unwilling to lock up all its gaming and e-football rights with just one publisher.
Reuters
