Fans attempt to get Kerala Blasters, Mohun Bagan into FIFA 18's Rest of the World
FIFA 18 is set to hit the stands on September 29th and fans are already getting crazy for EA Sports' new launch. Every year, new teams and new leagues are included in the newest FIFA label, and FIFA 18 is going to be no different.
Indian fans of the popular gaming franchise have been growing in number over the years, the demand for more Indian club teams and domestic league in FIFA has also increased. At the moment, an unlicensed Indian national team is the country's only representative in FIFA 17, and that has been a source of frustrations for fans of the beautiful game in the country who dream of controlling their own Mohun Bagans and Kerala Blasters.
To get over that, fans from around the across various web portals started online polls to get their favourite leagues into FIFA 18 throughout the year. While the three-way battle between the Indian Super League, the Chinese Super League and the 3. Liga of Germany has now been won by the German league, FIFA fans have started an online poll again, this time to get their favourite teams into the list of clubs to be included in FIFA 18's Rest of the World.
According to a poll which claims to have an influence on FIFA's choices, four Indian clubs - Mohun Bagan, Kerala Blasters, Atletico de Kolkata, Bengaluru FC - are gunning to be included in the roster of clubs in FIFA 18's Rest of the World.
In FIFA 17, these teams were part of the Rest of the World: Olympiacos CFP, PAOK FC, Vasco da Gama, Panathinaikos FC, HJK Helsinki, Shakhtar Donetsk, Kaizer Chiefs, Orlando Pirates, Goiás, Criciúma, Joinville, World XI, Classic XI, MLS All Stars, Avaí, adidas All-Star Team.
While the CSL has missed out on a spot in FIFA 18, its Guangzhou Evergrande FC is leading the voting, with India's Kerala Blasters and ATK both on 7 percent votes. Bengaluru FC lead the Indian clubs with 8 percent votes, while Mohun Bagan have the least number of votes among the Indian clubs.
While this voting system's legitimacy jury is still out, it paints a picture to FIFA and its developers EA Sports that there is a big market waiting to be captured in Asia, and particularly India. The Indian Super League has been a real boost for Indian football of late, while Mohun Bagan continue to be one of India's best-supported clubs. If only EA Sports could shift their attentions to this part of the world.