FIFA today, the 22nd of September 2005, officially revealed the tournament schedule for the FIFA Interactive World Cup 2005.
The second edition of this FIFA competition will kick off in London on 15 October 2005 and will consist of eight qualifying events as well as an online tournament, culminating in a final tournament in London on 18 December 2005. Football fans interested in participating in the FIFA Interactive World Cup can visit www.FIFA.com for their chance to secure a spot in the contest to become the FIFA Interactive World Player 2005, a prestigious feat that will be rewarded with a trophy on stage at this year's FIFA World Player Gala on 19 December 2005 in Zurich.
As a prize, each winner of the eight regional qualifiers as well as the two winners of the online tournament will receive two precious tickets for the parent event – the 2006 FIFA World Cup. The 2005 Interactive World Cup will be played on the EA SPORTS FIFA 06 game for the Xbox.
"The first FIFA Interactive World Cup was a great success - we witnessed thousands of gamers from around the world combine a passion for the game with a burning desire to emerge victorious. Just like in the real game. This competition is going to continue to grow in popularity and prestige and deliver on FIFA's goal of bringing football to new fans and players beyond our core group of football aficionados," said Urs Linsi, FIFA General Secretary.
In 2004, FIFA made a groundbreaking move as the first international sports body to introduce a global, officially FIFA-endorsed game tournament. FIFA Licensees Electronic Arts and Xbox teamed up with world football's governing body to stage the FIFA Interactive World Cup. Brazilian Thiago Carrico de Azevedo made history when he became the first champion of the FIFA Interactive World Cup, and later joined countryman Ronaldinho, crowned FIFA World Player 2004, on stage to receive his FIFA Interactive Player trophy.
With the help of this innovative tournament, FIFA can now further explore opportunities to promote and develop the game of football at all levels worldwide, while saluting a new range of football games and positioning the FIFA Interactive World Cup, like its parent competition in the real world, as the world's leading sports gaming competition.

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