The Third League in FIFA 18 is high on the wishlist of many fans. After the 1st and 2nd Bundesliga – was EA able to secure the license for the 3rd League? The DFB comments on this.
Update: FIFA 18 – 3rd League is included! – According to Kicker information
For years, countless German fans have wished for the 3rd League in the FIFA series by EA Sports. It includes numerous traditional clubs that they would love to run in virtual football.
So far, the Third League has not yet found its way into the football simulation. However, the third-highest division in German football is one of the most sought-after leagues for which the community wants licenses.
And it’s not just among German fans, as an international survey by FIFPlay shows. Of nearly two million votes, more than 222,000 (as of 22.06.2017) were cast for the Third League. Only the Chinese and Indian leagues are slightly ahead.
Is it finally time for FIFA 18? Can fans look forward to clubs like VfL Osnabrück, VfR Aalen, and Co.?
The 3rd League in FIFA 18 – Yes or No?
Colleagues from GameStar have asked EA and the DFB to obtain an answer to this question.
While EA Sports has remained silent on this issue, the DFB provided a detailed response. Jochen Breideband, the editorial director of DFB.de, spoke about the licenses. We quote:
EA and the DFB have been partners for years through the licenses of the national team and women’s national team included in FIFA. Therefore, we continuously exchange ideas and are regularly in intensive discussions – also about the 3rd League. However, no concrete news regarding the 3rd League can be reported so far.
In light of this statement, it seems unlikely that the 3rd League will be included in FIFA 18. Because the release of the game is only three months away, and apparently a license has not yet been secured.
However, an official confirmation is still pending that the Third League will be missing in FIFA 18. Usually, EA Sports only announces the complete list of all leagues and teams a few days before release. Until then, one may still hope…
The DFB is not the hurdle for the license of the Third League
According to the DFB, the license negotiations are neither failing at the DFB nor at EA Germany – instead, the “okay” from the top is missing:
EA Germany has long been interested in integrating the 3rd League into the FIFA series, just like the DFB. However, the decisions about which competitions are integrated into FIFA with original licenses are made at EA’s international headquarters. And there, understandably, the primary focus is on the international market. However, we are confident that the 3rd League will also find its way into FIFA.
That there is interest in the Third League has already been confirmed by EA producer Sebastien Enrique, who stated over a year ago: “I always push our licensing team to get more. I can’t promise anything, but the 3rd League is on our list of things our community wants.”
When and whether EA Sports will fulfill this wish remains to be seen.
Here you can find 15 pieces of information about FIFA 18 that are already known – including new stadiums.
