World Cup runners-up Croatia finally in FIFA 23 after 10-year absence Eurogamer.net If you click on a link and make a purchase we may receive a small commission. Read our editorial policy. World Cup runners-up Croatia finally in FIFA 23 after 10-year absence No need to Modric the game. News by Wesley Yin-Poole Deputy Editorial Director Published on 24 Aug 2022 1 comment EA Sports World Cup runners-up Croatia are in FIFA 23 after a decade-long absence from the series. The Croatian football association confirmed the national team will appear in FIFA 23 in a tweet. "The moment many players around the world have been waiting for" - Marijan Kustić, HNS presidentHNS and @EASPORTSFIFA reach an agreement to include #Croatia national team, the current @FIFAWorldCup runners-up, in #FIFA23! #Family #Vatreni‍ pic.twitter.com/MHx9cIQQ1d- HNS (@HNS_CFF) August 23, 2022 To see this content please enable targeting cookies. Manage cookie settings EA also confirmed the news in a tweet. The Vatreni have their eyes on the prize Take @hns_cff to the 2022 FIFA World Cup and beyond in #FIFA23. Get a guaranteed, untradeable Ones to Watch Special Player Item in #FUT by Pre-Ordering https://t.co/th0YW48H0q pic.twitter.com/oWuejDwX27- EA SPORTS FIFA (@EASPORTSFIFA) August 23, 2022 To see this content please enable targeting cookies. Manage cookie settings Croatia was a high-profile absentee from the FIFA series ever since their last appearance in FIFA 12. A light was shone on Croatia's lack of inclusion back in 2018, after Luka Modrić and co finished second in the World Cup (knocking England out in the process). As Eurogamer has reported, the dispute was about money. Watch on YouTube Here's the FIFA 23 gameplay reveal trailer. "The reason why Croatia is not in FIFA 19 is because Croatian Football Federation and EA could not come to an agreement that would satisfy both sides," Tomislav Pacak, spokesperson for the Croatian Football Federation, told Eurogamer at the time. "Obviously, we value FIFA World Cup silver medallists and world's best player in 2018 more than EA currently does with its offer, and we will continue protecting the value and image of the Croatian team and our players. "We understand and share disappointment by the gamers and we hope this matter will be resolved in the future - HNS is more than open to that, and we hope EA will also listen to its consumers and respect their wish to have Croatian team available in the game." In short, Croatia weren't happy about the amount of money EA had offered their federation to have the team officially-licensed in the game. Newspaper reports from back in 2012 claimed EA offered Croatia a paltry 100,000 euros. Davor Šuker, Croatia's all-time leading goalscorer and former boss of the Croatian Football Federation, reportedly scoffed at the offer and refused to play ball. Obviously, things have changed (Šuker was replaced at the top of Croatian football last year), and a deal has been signed. And it's a good thing, too - it would have been embarrassing for EA not to have Croatia in FIFA 23, given the game is set to receive an official World Cup mode as a free update later this year. For more, check out our FIFA 23 preview. Become a Eurogamer subscriber and get your first month for £1 Get your first month for £1 (normally £3.99) when you buy a Standard Eurogamer subscription. Enjoy ad-free browsing, merch discounts, our monthly letter from the editor, and show your support with a supporter-exclusive comment flair! Support us View supporter archive More News Atari will hold RollerCoaster Tycoon rights for another decade Ups and downs. 7 Lady Dimitrescu will be a tad smaller in Resident Evil Village's Mercenaries DLC Level the playing field. 1 Overwatch 2 suffers another DDoS attack and character roster bugs Mei Mei. 7 Nintendo Switch firmware update lets you take screenshots in the Switch Online app The app on your console, not your phone. 7 Latest Articles Genshin Impact Path of Gleaming Jade dates, login event rewards Including other anniversary rewards and how to claim them. Atari will hold RollerCoaster Tycoon rights for another decade Ups and downs. 7 Jelly Deals Logitech's G Pro X gaming headset is its lowest-ever price during Amazon's Early Access sale Prime Members can get it for just £52. Jelly Deals Save over £500 off the retail price on this beefy ASUS TUF Dash gaming laptop from Amazon Under £1080 for an RTX 3070 laptop. Supporters Only Premium only Off Topic: Take a minute to appreciate Cookin' with Coolio's incredible scallops recipe. What a great book. Premium only Off Topic: Reading City of Glass in comic form "Where exactly am I going?" Premium only Off Topic: Il Buco is a transporting film about a really big hole Underlands. Off-Topic Netflix handled Sandman brilliantly It was Dreamy. 9 Buy things with globes on them And other lovely Eurogamer merch in our official store! Explore our store