Women Make It Into 'FIFA 2016' For The First Time In Video Game Franchise History

Finally, women have made it into a “FIFA” video game. For the first time in the history of the 22-year-old soccer video game franchise, gamers can play as women’s national teams in “FIFA 2016.”

Players will be able to choose from 12 teams, including Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, England, France, Germany, Italy, Mexico, Spain, Sweden and the United States. And each will be playable in several game modes, including Kick Off, an offline tournament, as well as online matches. Not included is a women’s ultimate team or career mode, though EA hasn’t ruled out changes in future versions, according to Polygon.

The inclusion of the women’s team is a huge change to the “FIFA” video game franchise, but the dozen of women’s teams featured still pale in comparison to the 35 men’s leagues and 47 international teams in “FIFA 2015.” And despite the game being a simulation, women’s teams will only be able to play against other women’s teams in “FIFA 2016.”

Though this is a first for the “FIFA” franchise, it isn’t the first time women have been featured in a soccer video game. Silicon Dreams Studios had previous released a game titled “Mia Hamm Soccer 64” for the Nintendo 64 and “UEFA Dream Soccer” for the Sega Dreamcast, featuring women’s players. But both received poor reviews, according to the Guardian.

“FIFA 2016” officially goes on sale September 22 for the PC, Microsoft Xbox One, Xbox 360, Sony PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 3.