EA Sports delivered a notable update last Wednesday, aligning with global events by removing references to Russia from FIFA 22. In addition to excluding the Russian national team from the title, the patch notes announce the removal of other Russian teams, along with related kits and scenarios tied to the region. The publisher states that this action is a gesture of solidarity with the Ukrainian people and echoes the calls from FIFA, UEFA, and many voices within football for an end to the occupation of Ukraine. The update reflects real-world moves taken by partners and broadens the scope by removing all Russian teams across game modes.
The developers explain that content removal reshapes which teams players can select, with implications extending into Career Mode. They also note that some players and staff may be reassigned to different defaults within the game, including a shift toward representative teams such as Paris Saint-Germain, in light of ongoing partnerships with national teams, including the French squad featuring a high-profile cover athlete.
Alongside the major regional adjustments, the update brings improvements to visual and eSports elements. Player images, kits, badges, ad forms, trophies, national flags, logos, banners, broadcast packages, and interview backdrops receive updates. A technical fix addresses a rare scenario where a goalkeeper is controlled by the user, ensuring smoother match progression when actions are requested. The goal is to prevent stumbles and keep play flowing naturally.
In FIFA Ultimate Team, the patch resolves several issues related to pack distribution. Packs with identical names now unlock in the order they were earned rather than by player selection, creating a more predictable progression. The changes apply across all modes, including Career Mode, Pro Clubs, and Online Tournaments. FIFA 22 remains accessible as a Legacy edition on PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, and Nintendo Switch.