The Apple TV show ‘Ted Lasso’ has proven to be one of the most popular and well-liked series of the last few years, introducing viewers to a lovable cast of characters whose lives and storylines largely revolve around the fictional English Premier League football club, AFC Richmond.
Through its first two seasons, the series has taken home numerous awards, including the Primetime Emmy for Outstanding Comedy Series in 2021 and 2022, with several of its actors – including Jason Sudeikis, Brett Goldstein, and Hannah Waddingham taking home awards for original performances. Now, Ted Lasso reaches into a new realm: video games.
The web series will probably launch the last series number three soon, but this superhit web series has now got to be a full-featured team in FIFA 23. So the rumour fans heard is correct, and Ted Lasso is included in FIFA 23 along with AFC Richmond.
Ted Lasso and AFC Richmond in FIFA 23
As you’d expect, Richmond won’t be a part of the Premier League in Kickoff, Online Friendlies and Online Seasons and will instead be located in the Rest of the World section. Players Roy Kent, Jamie Tartt, Sam Obisanya and Dani Rojas will all be in the squad.
Ted Lasso’s AFC Richmond features as a free team in FIFA 23, and the team is not gated or directed to a paid channel. You get access to the team in Career Mode and the other Kick-Offs, friendlies, and seasons as well. You can pick Lasso himself as the manager in Career Mode. However, the Ultimate Team Mode won’t feature AFC Richmond players in FIFA 23.
You’ll be able to select Jason Sudeikis’ beloved Ted Lasso character as a usable manager in Career Mode, and AFC Richmond will be playable in Career Mode, Kickoff, Online Friendlies, and Online Seasons. EA adds that “a number of AFC Richmond items including kits, tifos, Manager items, and other content will also be available to unlock across FIFA Ultimate Team (FUT) and Pro Clubs where applicable.”
Look out, Mario! You're not the only pixelated man with a mustache who never knows where the tube is taking him… pic.twitter.com/sDIS9VPDmh
— Ted Lasso (@TedLasso) September 20, 2022
Ted Lasso and AFC Richmond history
Ted Lasso originally debuted in August 2020 and tells the story of the eponymous character – an American Football coach who makes an unprecedented move to the UK to manage the faltering soccer team, AFC Richmond.
At the 74th Primetime Emmy Awards on Sept. 12, Ted Lasso and its cast won Outstanding Comedy Series, Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series (Sudeikis), Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series (Goldstein), and Outstanding Directing for a Comedy Series, out of 20 nominations overall. The third season of Ted Lasso does not yet have a premiere date.
Why and how is Ted Lasso on FIFA 23
Electronic Arts and Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment announced the crossover for EA Sports’ global best-seller on Wednesday, and it’s a lot more robust than earlier rumours had suggested. Lasso (Jason Sudeikis) is available as a manager in Career Mode for AFC Richmond or any other side. Players may also create their own pro and join AFC Richmond in Career, playing in any league they choose.
EA Sports added that additional AFC Richmond content will be available in the Football Ultimate Team and Pro Clubs modes — including, yes, manager items for both Lasso and Coach Beard. Players and fans have previously modded the club in or built homages to Sudeikis’ character in career modes, but this will be the first time AFC Richmond appears in the series’ main lineup of clubs.
AFC Richmond stadium, jersey & trailer
Electronics Art confirmed that the stadium of Nelson Road, Coach Beard, and the entire team would be part of the teams participating in FIFA 23. The full team is available for the players if they so desire. FIFA 23 Ultimate Team is also adding several AFC Richmond customization items, including kits, TIFOs, and the option to select Ted Lasso or Coach Beard as your FUT club’s manager. All the AFC Richmond content in FUT will be obtainable through objectives and challenges.
In a press release, Sudeikis said: “I am truly fortunate, and deeply grateful, to have had many special moments in my career thus far, and I consider this experience among the best of them. As long-time fans of EA SPORTS FIFA, having Ted Lasso and the whole AFC Richmond squad incorporated into the newest version of the game is truly a dream come true for myself and the rest of the fellas. Our cast and crew work tremendously hard on this show, and we are flattered that it resonates with so many folks. We look forward to our fans having the opportunity to play with, play as, and even play against their favourite AFC Richmond characters.”
“It is so f***ing cool to be in FIFA. I’m not sure this is going to help dispel the CGI rumours but f*** it, totally worth it,” said Roy Kent actor Brett Goldstein. “I look forward to beating my nephew in a game with me as Roy Kent and him as Jamie Tartt. He’s gonna be furious.”
For now, we’ll have to wait and see. But the very thought of adding Ted and AFC Richmond into the game opens up a world of possibilities. Football is life, right?