This week, EA Sports announced the latest list of artists to join the long line of musical talent that has graced us over the years by being part of the official soundtrack to the FIFA series. And as has become accustomed to more recent titles, there is a real mix of artists from a number of different genres to help represent cultures from around the world in this global game.
The FIFA 22 soundtrack will be the largest ever, with 122 songs included that will represent 27 different nations from around the world. And they consist of some of the biggest names in the industry with international superstars like Swedish House Mafia and CHVRCHES, whilst many newcomers also make the list as well, including NYC vocalist Casper Caan and Australian alt-rockers Bloodmoon.
The soundtrack is split into two sections, the main Soundtrack which consists of 52 songs, and the VOLTA FOOTBALL Soundtrack consisting of an additional 70 songs. The main SOundtrack consists of a collection of bold and uplifting anthems, whereas the second playlist emits more of a gritty underground vibe that embodies the street, featuring artists such as Headie One, EARTHGANG and John Newman.
You can find more info and the full FIFA 22 Soundtrack HERE and listen to the soundtrack on Spotify (VOLTA FOOTBALL & FIFA 22).
But, whilst this news is all so exciting, it got us thinking. What have been the best soundtracks over the years? Which soundtracks had the songs that to this day still make us think of gaming with friends, and embody the FIFA games? Well, here are our top five soundtracks from over the years.
5 – FIFA 14
The first soundtrack to make our list, coming in at number 5 is FIFA 14. It featured Bloc Party once more, who made it into our number one spot, but it also featured a wide array of talent representing a number of different genres. We Sink by Chvrches, Alive by Empire of the Sun, The City by The 1975, Worship You by Vampire Weekend and Lived a Lie by You Me At Six are just some of our favourite tracks from this one.
It’s a soundtrack I’ve gone to on the likes of Spotify in the past, just because it doesn’t really feature a single bad song, and it’s a great track for getting you in the mood to lace up (virtually) and start running around the pitch, taking on any opposition that gets in your way.
4 – FIFA 16
The highest-rated of the more recent releases, FIFA 16 makes it to our number 4 pick in the list of our ultimate soundtracks. Featuring tracks by Bastille, Foals, Of Monsters and Men, and Skylar Grey ft. X Ambassadors, it really was an excellent collection of songs that would have you tapping your feet. It was probably the first soundtrack since that collection of noughties titles below that we thought, EA Sports have done it again, and picked a great variety of tracks that merged together really well.
If Chris had his way, this would probably be number one, but I’m in charge of this list, and that young whippersnapper likes Taylor Swift, so what does he know about good music. Love you really Chris!
![FOALS - Mountain At My Gates [Official Music Video] (GoPro Spherical)](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/l_EIE5f2t6M/hqdefault.jpg)
3 – FIFA ‘05
The noughties were the best era for soundtracks from the series. And the first of that period to make it into our list is FIFA 2005. It really was one hell of a collection of artists and songs, featuring icons of the music industry such as Faithless, INX, New Order, Morrisey, and so many more. And thrown into the mix was a whole range of music from newer, more modern artists such as Franz Ferdinand, Head Automatica and Scissor Sisters.
It truly was a soundtrack that would have you happily sitting in the main menu, kind of forgetting why you even switched the game on. It was so easy to lose yourself in the music.
2 – FIFA ‘04
Whilst this has my ALL TIME favourite track on any football game with Jerk It Out by Caesers Palace, it only gets into 2nd place on our list. It really did have some excellent tracks alongside this with L.S.F. by Kasabian and We Used to be Friends by The Dandy Warhols. It did at the time have the cracking tune Burn Burn by Lost Prophets, but then Ian Watkins had to go and ruin any music they released by being a dirty little paedophile. Still, the rest of the soundtrack was pretty strong, but not as strong as our number one pick.
1 – FIFA ‘06
Now THIS, is my ultimate soundtrack. It was packed full of indie bangers from the likes of Helicopter by Bloc Party, Gotta Reason by Hard-Fi and even featured Lyla by Oasis. This was an amazing time for music and EA Sports managed to pack the soundtrack with some of the best music around at the time. I still to this day hear a number of the tracks from this Soundtrack and it instantly transports me back and makes me think of the good old days of playing FIFA with mates on the couch into the early hours of the morning.
And that rounds up our list of the top soundtracks. Is there one you think should’ve made the top 5? Any songs from soundtracks that didn’t make it into our lists that transport you back? Let us know in the comments below which are your all-time favourites and we’ll be sure to check them out.
For more lists like this, check out more of our opinion pieces HERE.