• FIFA has signed an official partnership with the super-popular videogame Roblox.
• The deal will see a “FIFA World” added in-game.
• Players will be able to earn rewards in football-themed activities and even meet virtual soccer stars in FIFA’s virtual world.

When all is said and done Roblox might go down as the biggest videogame ever. The mobile-first title has nearly 200 million registered users. For comparison, World of Warcraft, previously the largest massively multiplayer online game, only managed a measly 12 million subscribers at its zenith in 2010.

What’s more, Roblox’s shift towards its Robux virtual currency has made its creators rich. In 2021, Roblox generated $1.9 billion in revenues, a 107 percent year-on-year increase according to BusinessOfApps.

It’s no wonder every corporation under the sun is looking into partnerships with the mobile-first game. This includes brands like shoe designer Clarks, Spotify and Chipotle. Even Gucci has a persistent world experience within Roblox.

Now, on the eve of the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, FIFA has announced a new official “multi-year” partnership with Roblox that will see what amounts to a virtual FIFA theme park for the game’s community to enjoy for free.

Called “FIFA World,” this level or zone (or virtual environment if you’re feeling metaverse-y) will celebrate “the power of football and the rich history of its pinnacle events,” according to a press statement from the football governing body.

“FIFA’s immersive experience on Roblox will provide football fans with a hugely exciting new way to interact with friends, celebrate the rich culture and heritage around the world’s biggest sports competition, and demonstrate their creativity and national pride through various features and mechanics,” said FIFA chief business officer, Romy Gai.

Football fans will be able to enter FIFA World in Roblox and hang out in social spaces, earn new rewards and collect items through challenges, and they can even watch legacy FIFA games on in a virtual cinema experience through integration with FIFA’s streaming service, FIFA+.

Stars of the great game will also be featured in the persistent virtual space, including German icon Lena Oberdorf and Spanish star Pedri.

“It’s incredibly exciting to see FIFA and Roblox come together, and I can’t wait to be a part of FIFA World as it continues to evolve,” enthused the Spanish soccer celebrity.

“The football fans I see in the stands every week love gaming and it’s great to be taking the FIFA World Cup to them in the digital space and interacting with them directly in our Roblox world,” Pedri added.

Here are some screenshots we captured from the trailer for FIFA World in Roblox:

Looks like FIFA is bringing all of its friends into Roblox with branded activities from Adidas and Visa. No doubt the Roblox Corporation is making a pretty penny from this partnership that really constitutes one big ad space. To us, this seems like the metaverse future in action.

This year’s FIFA world cup will be the Arab world’s first hosting opportunity. South African football fans will be able to catch all 64 matches in 4K through Showmax Pro.