In times such as these, it seems frivolous to worry about something like competitive FIFA, but for hundreds of players around the world, the complete shutdown of FIFA’s esports scene has caused personal upheaval, a loss of income and a lack of direction as to the future of the sport.
I spoke to players from across the professional scene, from a player who also maintains a full-time job to one of the world’s top competitors, and each expressed anxiety about EA’s plan for competitive FIFA, which remains off the table as physical events are a no-go.
When asked about what has been the biggest change in the FIFA esports scene, Donovan “Tekkz” Hunt, the 17-year-old wonderkid who at the time of the shutdown was the highest ranked player on Xbox, said the scene has essentially died.
“The biggest change is no-one’s really doing anything at the moment,” he said. “We all used to go out and see each other when we go to the tournaments to compete.”
Before the shutdown, FIFA esports revolved around regular tournaments held across the globe. These tournaments were not only competitive, but social events that fostered friendships.
Hunt is keeping in touch with his FIFA friends online in the absence of physical meet-ups. Hashtag United is a football club and esports team founded by YouTuber Spencer Owen, and Hunt has appeared in several videos on the Hashtag United channel alongside Harry Hesketh, Alex “Shawrey” Shaw and Tom Leese, all of whom are high-ranking FIFA players. “I still talk to them every day, the Hashtag lot, on calls,” Hunt said. “We play different games. Me and Shawrey play Fortnite all the time and we talk all the time.”