FIFA, Xbox and Electronic Arts announced the planned tournament details and schedule for the recently announced FIFA Interactive World Cup, the world's first ever, FIFA sanctioned, video game tournament.
The FIFA Interactive World Cup is a new video game tournament combining on- and off-line football gaming action featuring EA's FIFA Football 2005 on Xbox and Xbox Live. The FIFA Interactive World Cup will travel to six continents from October to December 2004, offering football fans a chance to win the ultimate video game bragging rights - being named FIFA Interactive World Player 2004 - as well as sharpening up football skills with the pros, enjoying music from big-name DJs, and lots of surprises.
There are four ways to enter the FIFA Interactive World Cup, which will see more than 8,000 players (plus contestants from the Xbox Live community of more than one million gamers) competing all over the world :
- Register at the official FIFA Interactive World Cup website (link available by following the download tab above.)
- Register on site at regional tournament venues
- Earn a place by playing FIFA Football 2005 on Xbox Live
- Win a local qualifying tournament, which will lead to the regional tournaments and ultimately to the finals in Zurich - information on local tournaments is available on the registration site.
Players who have what it takes to win their region's finals will travel to the worldwide finals in Zurich in December - and the winner will be named FIFA Interactive World Player 2004. That prestigious achievement will be recognized with a trophy presented to the winner by FIFA President Joseph S. Blatter at the FIFA World Player Gala.
Kicking off in October, the FIFA Interactive World Cup will travel to nine cities in six continents:
- Johannesburg - 23rd October
- New York - 30th October
- Rio de Janeiro - 6th November
- Sydney - 13th November
- London - 20th November
- Seoul - 30th November
- Paris - 4th December
- Berlin - 11th December
- Zurich (FINALS) - 19th December
As players compete to be the best player of FIFA Football 2005 at each regional final, they will also be able to sharpen their real-world football skills through various separate side activities. Contestants waiting for their turn on the tournament pods will be able to practice their moves with the help of professional football players
The events will also feature big-name DJs performing for the crowds, as well as a host of other fun activities and some surprises too. Specific details on each event will be available at the FIFA Interactive World Cup website.
