Mbappé confirmed as EA Sports FC 27 cover star ahead of Thursday reveal

EA Sports has confirmed Kylian Mbappé as the cover star of EA Sports FC 27, with the Real Madrid and France forward set to front the game's Ultimate Edition, mobile version, and all standard console and PC editions. The announcement dropped on Tuesday 21 July 2026, kicking off what EA has described as a week of reveals ahead of a full gameplay trailer on Thursday.

What's been confirmed so far

Mbappé is the headline of the Ultimate Edition cover — and he appears on the standard console, PC, and EA Sports FC Mobile editions too. A teaser trailer posted to YouTube uses the tagline "The World's Game" and directs fans to watch the full reveal on Thursday 23 July 2026, when the gameplay trailer goes live at 17:00 BST. Pre-orders open the same evening at 5pm UK time.

Jeff Sharma, Vice President of Franchise Strategy and Marketing at EA Sports, said of the appointment:

"Kylian's achievements for both club and country have established him as one of the defining players of his generation. He embodies the ambition, creativity and global appeal that defines EA SPORTS FC today, and we're proud to continue our partnership with him as he returns to lead EA SPORTS FC 27."

Mbappé himself added:

"To be featured on the cover of an EA SPORTS FC title for the first time is a very special moment for me. It's an honour to continue my long-term relationship with the franchise in its latest chapter, alongside the players who have shaped its history. I can't wait for everyone to experience FC 27."

Why Mbappé, and why now

The 27-year-old has had quite a year to put on a box. He claimed the Golden Boot in the 2025/26 UEFA Champions League with 15 goals, then carried that form into the summer to win the Golden Boot at the 2026 FIFA World Cup — scoring 10 goals for France. That made him the first player in football history to win the World Cup Golden Boot twice, and he is now the all-time leading scorer in World Cup history.

It is also his fourth EA Sports cover appearance, which puts him level with Lionel Messi in the franchise's all-time rankings. Wayne Rooney leads with six covers, ahead of Ronaldinho on five. Mbappé previously fronted FIFA 21, FIFA 22, and FIFA 23, but this is his first cover under the EA Sports FC branding — a distinction he acknowledged directly in his statement. He takes over from Real Madrid teammate Jude Bellingham, who fronted EA Sports FC 26.

Release date, editions, and pricing

EA has officially confirmed only the cover star and the reveal date. Everything else below should be treated accordingly. According to a report by Dealabs leaker billbil-kun — who has a strong track record on release dates and pricing — the game is expected to launch on 25 September 2026, with early access beginning 18 September 2026 for Ultimate Edition buyers and EA Play subscribers. That one-week early access window mirrors the pattern established by FC 26, which launched on 26 September 2025.

On pricing, EA has confirmed there will be no increase in the game's retail price — welcome news given the pressure on costs across the industry. Pre-official reporting, which has not been confirmed by EA, puts the editions at roughly:

• Standard Edition — around £69.99 on console; general release reported as 25 September 2026
• Ultimate Edition — around £99.99 on console; includes early access from approximately 18 September, FC Points, and Ultimate Team content
• A third Ultimate+ Edition is also reported, though details remain unverified

Official prices and purchase links have not yet been published by EA. They are expected to go live when pre-orders open on Thursday evening.

Platforms: old-gen stays in (for now)

According to pre-reveal reporting, FC 27 will support PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and the original Nintendo Switch alongside PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch 2, and PC. That would be a notable decision: many in the industry had expected EA to follow Madden NFL 27 and EA Sports UFC 6 in cutting last-generation support entirely. If accurate, it means players who have not yet upgraded their console are not locked out this year.

The Grounds: an open-world mode on the horizon?

The teaser tagline "The World's Game" has sparked significant speculation about a new open-world mode. EA Sports trademarked FC The Grounds on 23 January 2026, according to the Justia trademark database. The mode is reported to function as a football-themed social hub — comparable to NBA 2K's The City — where players can explore, socialise, and compete in 5v5 Rush matches. EA has not officially confirmed any of this. Full details are expected at Thursday's gameplay reveal.

What happens next

Thursday 23 July is the key date. The gameplay reveal trailer goes live at 17:00 BST, and pre-orders open at 17:00 BST the same evening. EA has indicated this week will bring further announcements, so expect a steady drip of information through to the weekend. If the leaked 25 September release date holds, UK buyers have roughly nine weeks to decide which edition suits them — with early access in mid-September the main premium for those who want a head start on Ultimate Team.