The FIFA Cover Star Curse: A Growing Concern for EA Sports FC 26
As the release date of EA Sports FC 26 approaches, football fans are beginning to express concerns that the long-standing FIFA cover star curse may be making a comeback. This time, the situation is particularly troubling as both of the game’s cover stars are currently sidelined due to injuries.
The cover stars for EA Sports FC 26 were officially revealed this week, along with early details and gameplay footage of the upcoming title. Jude Bellingham, the England and Real Madrid star, has once again been chosen as the main cover athlete, following his appearance on EA Sports FC 25. He is joined by Jamal Musiala, his former teammate at Bayern Munich. However, both players are currently unable to play football in real life, and their absence will extend beyond the game’s launch date on September 26.
Bellingham, who suffered a shoulder injury in November 2023, recently underwent surgery and is expected to be out of action for approximately four months. His injury announcement coincided with the reveal of EA Sports FC 26, adding an unfortunate layer to the situation. He is also likely to miss the start of the 2025-2026 season, which raises questions about how his absence will affect the game’s marketing strategy.
Musiala, on the other hand, sustained a broken leg and a dislocated ankle during a recent match against Paris St-Germain in the Club World Cup. He has since undergone surgery and is expected to be out of the game until at least November 2025. This means both cover stars will be unavailable for the majority of the game’s initial release period.
While it remains uncertain whether these injuries will impact the sales of EA Sports FC 26, the timing is undeniably problematic from a marketing perspective. The two players selected to headline the game are now on extended hiatus, potentially affecting fan engagement and excitement around the title.
This situation has led some fans to speculate that the FIFA cover star curse is resurfacing. The term refers to the belief that footballers featured on the cover of FIFA games often face misfortunes, including injuries or poor performance. Although not every year has seen such occurrences, there have been enough instances to warrant the inclusion of the curse on Wikipedia’s list of sports-related superstitions.
For example, Kylian Mbappé, the star of FIFA 21, did not score any goals during the UEFA European Championship in 2021. However, the curse is not limited to injuries alone, as other factors can contribute to the perceived jinx.
Interestingly, Bellingham was already injured in late 2023, meaning EA Sports should have anticipated his need for surgery around this time. Despite this, he was still chosen as a cover star for the previous game, raising questions about the selection process.
In contrast, Swedish legend Zlatan Ibrahimović, who retired in 2023, appears on the cover of EA Sports FC 26’s Ultimate Edition. So far, no such misfortunes have befallen him, and fans are hoping he remains injury-free in the coming months.
Beyond the FIFA series, fans of the Madden NFL games also have their own superstitions. They believe that any player appearing on the cover of the game is destined to suffer an injury. In a 2007 interview with Kotaku, Chris Erb, then vice president of brand marketing at EA Sports, acknowledged the rumors but noted that players do not view the cover as a jinx. According to Erb, athletes understand the risks of injury and poor performance, which makes them less concerned about the so-called curse.
As EA Sports FC 26 prepares for its release, the situation surrounding its cover stars adds an extra layer of intrigue. Whether the curse is real or just a coincidence, one thing is certain—football fans will be watching closely to see if history repeats itself.
