For the first time its history, EA Sports made the huge announcement that video game FIFA 16 will include women’s international teams.
Users of the video game will now be able to play as England stars Stephanie Houghton and Alex Scott, as well as the likes of USA’s Abby Wambach and Alex Morgan.
Women’s National Teams are #INTHEGAME#FIFA16! https://t.co/WIBB9Z7hc3 More: http://t.co/9yKSz4tRtK
— EA SPORTS FIFA (@EASPORTSFIFA) May 28, 2015
EA Sports’ official website confirmed that 12 international women’s teams will be included: Germany, USA, France, Sweden, England, Brazil, Canada, Australia, Spain, China, Italy, Mexico.
Manchester City defender Steph Houghton said, “To be one of the first female players included is something we’ll always be able to look back on,” as quoted by BBC Sport.
“Hopefully it will help raise the profile of the women’s game even further.”
This is exciting news for women’s football ahead of the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup, which is set to kick off in Canada on Saturday 6 June. England are in Group F of the competition where they face France, Colombia and Mexico.
While this could be viewed as simply a silly little video game with insignificant meaning, it’s a chief example of the women’s game receiving recognition for its growing popularity.
Women’s football has certainly progressed over the past year, particularly in England; a prime example coming in November 2014 when the Three Lions’ friendly with Germany was played in front of a record crowd of 55,000 supporters at Wembley Stadium [via BBC Sport].