Landon Donovan, FIFA Coverboy

Written by on Aug 11, 2010

The biggest soccer star in North America, Landon Donovan, is making his third appearance on the cover of a FIFA title, following 2003 and 2007 (probably no coincidence he gets the gig the year after the World Cup) as he joins international stars Carlos Vela and Kaka on the box for EA’s FIFA Soccer 2011.

“Landon is the most recognizable, popular and accomplished soccer player in the United States and he was at his best with the world watching during the 2010 FIFA World Cup™,” said Matt Bilbey, Vice President of Soccer, EA SPORTS. “After his FIFA World Cup™ performance and the season he had with the Galaxy last year we felt he belonged back on the cover of FIFA Soccer 11.”

I want to make a joke about where exactly being the biggest soccer star in North America ranks on the celebrity scale, but instead I’ll just say that FIFA Soccer 11 will be available for the PS3, XBox 360, PC, PS2, DS, PSP, and iPhone on September 28, with the Wii version coming a week later.

  • tdjakes

    Chicharito is probably the biggest star in North America right now – just signed by Manchester United – they can’t keep his jersey stocked. With Landon’s popularity (or infamy) in Mexico, you could make the case he’s the biggest. Blanco is still in that discussion.

    I think you misunderestimate (it’s a word now) the popularity of soccer when it comes to things like FIFA 11. That franchise is on a serious growth curve here in North America, and the World Cup is already mainstream in this country – it draws better ratings than anything baseball hockey etc offer including the World Series.

  • Greg Picken

    I’ll make a mea culpa here and say that I generally forget that Mexico is considered part of North America. So yes, I’m sure there are many MUCH bigger stars in Mexico. But if you look at just the United States and Canada, Landon Donovan is probably the most recognized homegrown talent currently playing.

    And while the World Cup does great ratings, soccer itself doesn’t in the US. Its like the Olympics. Every four years, you like something, then you don’t.