Third FIFA Interactive World Cup To Begin Oct 27th News

EA has today confirmed that the third annual FIFA Interactive World Cup will begin on October 27th and end with a Grand Final event on December 9th in Amsterdam, Holland. As well as the prestige of being the 2006 FIFA Interactive World Cup Champion, the overall winner will also be a guest at the FIFA World Player Gala in Zurich, Switzerland on December 18th, where'll also receive a cash prize of US$20,000.

Playing FIFA 07 on Xbox 360 and Xbox, gamers will be able to take part by either attending one of the dozens of Qualifying events to be held around the world, or register at FIFA's website and attempt qualification over Xbox Live. Last year's event was won by Chris Bullard from Ipswich, England (so don't expect another English win for another forty or so years!), who beat fellow finalist Gabor Mokos, of Kecskemét, Hungary in London.

"The FIFA Interactive World Cup unites the passion for football with the world of interactive entertainment. Gamers are battling it out for an official FIFA award that places interactive football in the same bracket as its offline parent competitions - the various FIFA World Cups played on traditional means. We are pleased that we are able to pay tribute to this special category of football players and are greatly looking forward to this year's already third edition. The FIFA Interactive World Cup gives us the chance to further promote the game on a complete different level", says Urs Linsi, FIFA General Secretary.

"We're thrilled to work with our friends at FIFA and Xbox to bring the third FIFA Interactive World Cup to football fans and gamers across the world," said Clive Downie, Vice President International Marketing, EA. "This year, we're putting contestants even closer to the virtual football action with all new FIFA 07 gameplay action on the Xbox 360. Check out the exclusive demo of the game on Xbox Live Marketplace and start practising for your chance to take home the ultimate winner's prize of $20,000 and a trip to the FIFA World Player Gala in Zurich."

"We're really excited to be part of the FIFA Interactive World Cup 2006 exclusively bringing next generation high-definition football gaming action to players across the globe with FIFA 07. It's great to be hosting the connected gaming tournaments on Xbox Live giving our 3 million members worldwide the chance be part of this great competition and take on their friends." said Richard Teversham, Head of Marketing, Xbox Europe.

Here's a list of when some of the qualifiers will take place:

• Brazil, Sao Paolo, Saturday, 18th November
• Denmark, Copenhagen, Saturday, 18th November
• Spain, Madrid, Friday 24th / Saturday 25th November
• South Africa, Johannesburg, Saturday, 25th November
• Hungary, Budapest, Friday 25th / Saturday 26th November
• Germany, Oberhausen, Saturday, 02nd December

So get practising - there's only a little over a fortnight to go!

We'll have more news shortly...