FIFA 23: The Best FIFA World Cup ICONs currently in Ultimate Team

World Cup Icons have arrived, with the World Cup taking center stage in FIFA 23′s Ultimate Team. Several promotions have been running in the second season of FIFA 23, such as World Cup Stories. Icons in FIFA are legendary star players that are seen as the rarest cards that can be found in the game. With the World Cup taking place mid-season for the first time, World Cup Icon can be packed and added to players’ main Ultimate Teams.

Not all FIFA 23 Icon are receiving World Cup versions, but most legendary stars do feature in the promotion. World Cup icons have been released in teams every week throughout the World Cup, with the final ones expected to be released ahead of the World Cup final. While most cards in the promotion are available to open in packs, others can be found by completing objectives, finishing SBCs, or collecting FIFA 23 World Cup Swaps tokens.

The Best Icons in FIFA 23’s Ultimate Team During The World Cup

As with normal Icon cards, the legendary striker Pele has the highest rating of 96, currently the top-rated star in FIFA 23. However, Pele has incredible stats with four key attributes above 90, including 96 paces, even before adding any chemistry styles. Fellow Brazil star Ronaldo was the biggest name in world football for several years and shone in the 2002 World Cup, helping his nation win their fifth title. Ronaldo has been one of the best cards in FIFA for many years, with the striker’s overall 95 rating, one of the highest across the game, but his improved physical stats make him a better choice than Pele. Fellow Brazilian legends Garrincha and Cafu both also feature among the highest-rated World Cup Icons, with the former right-back available as part of the FIFA 23 World Cup Swaps promotion.

Ronaldo is matched with a 95 rating by former Real Madrid teammate Zinedine Zidane. The attacking midfielder is remembered by many for an infamous headbutt in the 2006 World Cup final, but the talisman also helped France lift the trophy on home soil in 1998. The perfect all-round attacking midfielder, Zizou can do anything and is a near cheat code for those who pack the Frenchman. Zidane has high shooting, passing and physical stats and above average pace of 84, making him the best-attacking midfielder in FIFA 23.

World Cup legendary strikers Eusabio and Johan Cruyff are both also highly rated cards, but there are better alternatives already available for players up-front, such as FIFA 23 World Cup Heroes card Robbie Keane. While most of the top World Cup Icons are attacking stars, Lothar Matthaus is the standout player at the other end of the pitch. The German’s default position is a defensive midfielder, but he can also be converted to a center back where his pace, physical, and defense stats match up with any of the best modern-day players in FIFA 23. The highest-rated World Cup Icon center-backs are Bobby Moore, Carles Puyol, and Fabio Cannavaro rated 91.

The standout card of the year, the World Cup Icon, can transform a team by completing Squad Building Challenges in FIFA 23. All of the cards across the promotion are fantastic editions to any squad but come with very high price tags. Despite Pele having the highest rating, fellow Brazilian Ronaldo is the best World Cup Icon card in FIFA 23 for those who can afford it, with an estimated price of nearly 10 million in coins.

• FIFA 23

  Franchise: FIFA

  Platform: Microsoft Windows, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Stadia

  Released: 2022-09-30

  Developer: EA Vancouver, EA Romania

  Publisher: EA Sports

  Genre: Sports

  Multiplayer: Sports

  ESRB: E

  Summary: The next in the yearly installments of EA’s FIFA franchise, FIFA 23 returns as the final entry in the franchise under the association’s name. The 2023 entry will bring back the Ultimate FUT features and will feature crossplay for many modes except for Co-op modes. In addition, Fifa 23 utilizes a new system engine known as “HyperMotion2,” which analyzes data from real football matches to create an extensive array of animations for players in-game to create a more realistic experience. In addition to these features, FIFA 23 will include both World Cup modes for both men and women. This entry also includes Women’s club football, starting with two real-life teams and adding more as the game’s seasons advance. Sam Kerr will also be the first female athlete to appear on a FIFA cover. After FIFA 23, EA Sports will continue their Football games under the new moniker “EA Sports FC.”

  How Long To Beat: 80-100 hours

  Prequel: FIFA 22