EA/FIFA Announce 2nd FIFA Interactive World Cup Timetable News

FIFA, Electronic Arts and Microsoft have today released details surrounding the FIFA Interactive World Cup 2005 competition, which will be held in October. Regional tournaments will take place across eight countries with the winners also attending the London-held final in December 2005. The locations and dates for the regional competitions are:

• London â?“ Olympia 2 â?“ Saturday 15 October
• Sao Paulo - Villa Noah â?“ Saturday 22 October
• Seoul - Sang Am World Cup Stadium - Sunday 30 October
• Johannesburg - Acton Sport Academy - Saturday 12 November
• Los Angeles - The Globe, Universal Studios - Saturday 19 November
• Sydney - Overseas Passenger Terminal - Saturday 26 November
• Germany - Cologne â?“ The Palladium - Sunday 4 December
• Paris - Carrousel de Louvre - Saturday 10 December

Though local qualifying tournaments will be staged across globe, those unable to attend these or the regional tournaments will be able to take part via national tournaments on Xbox Live with 21 winners (plus one mail winner) attending the FIWC Final in London where theyâ??ll battle it out to fill the last two spaces of the FIWC Final proper. All of the National Tournament winners via Xbox Live will receive a host prizes including an Xbox 360 system so they wonâ??t be missing out if they fail to make itâ?¦

The winner of the FIWC 2005 competition will receive an award at the FIFA World Player Gala on December 19th in Zurich, Switzerland as well as two tickets to the FIFA World Cup 2006 in Germany.

"The first FIFA Interactive World Cup was a great success -- we witnessed thousands of gamers from around the world combine a passion for the game with a burning desire to emerge victorious. Just like in the real game. This competition is going to continue to grow in popularity and prestige and deliver on FIFA's goal of bringing football to new fans and players beyond our core group of football aficionados," said Urs Linsi, FIFA General Secretary.

"We are all very excited about this year's FIFA Interactive World Cup" said Peter Moore,. corporate vice president of Worldwide Marketing and Publishing for the Home and Entertainment Division of Microsoft Corp. "By expanding the Xbox Live component of the competition we have really opened up the entry routes into this year's tournament allowing even more people to participate and eventually win it. It also means that only the best, most competitive gamers will make it through to the grand final. With over 2 million Xbox Live members sharpening their skills online the competition is going to be tough and we can't wait to see who will be crowned FIFA Interactive World Player 2005."

"We are thrilled to work with our long-term partners at FIFA and Xbox to help bring the second FIFA Interactive World Cup to football fans across the world," said Clive Downie, Vice President Sports Marketing, EA Europe. "This year's tournament will be the place to test your virtual skills in authentic, interactive gameplay on EA's FIFA 06. The game will be available in stores in Europe on September 30, 2005 and around the world the first week of October, and we're looking forward to our fans getting ready to bring the athleticism, individuality and emotions of world stars to life, and then competing for a chance to stand next to them as the FIFA Interactive World Player of the Year."

Registration for the Xbox Live events is to be held at xboxfiwc.com. Weâ??ll have more news on the tournament in the coming weeks.