A comprehensive beginner's guide covering all you need to get started in FIFA Rivals
FIFA Rivals
By Nuwel
Updated Jun 3, 2025
Updated Jun 3, 2025
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FIFA Rivals is officially live in select regions as part of its early access rollout. Built by Mythical Games in partnership with FIFA and Bacon Studio, the game takes a different approach from traditional football sims. It’s designed for quick, arcade-style matches that are easy to pick up and hard to put down.
If you pre-registered and your region was selected, FIFA Rivals is now available on Google Play and the Apple App Store. Simply download the app and jump into the action. For everyone else, the game is currently in pre-release, with a full launch expected to come in a few weeks.
FIFA Rivals revolves around fast-paced 1v1 matches where decision-making, timing, and smart player movement are more important than memorizing complex controls. Before we get into collecting cards and strengthening your squad, let’s walk through how a typical match works.
FIFA Rivals is built for mobile, and the entire game is played in portrait mode. While that means the field of vision is a bit narrower than what you might expect from traditional football games, it’s balanced by intuitive camera tracking (touch an area away from play and drag to move the camera) and easy-to-learn controls.
Each match lasts 1 minute and 30 seconds of real time, with no added stoppage. The game kicks off like any standard match, but after the first pass, it pauses briefly for up to 5–6 seconds (but will be shorter if both players have already input their moves). This short break lets both players plan their opening strategy in real time before the play resumes.
Here’s how controls work depending on whether you’re attacking or defending:
When on Offense:
When on Defense:
The controls are snappy and don’t require button combinations or manual sprinting—everything revolves around clean timing and reading your opponent’s moves.
One of FIFA Rivals’ key mechanics is Super Mode. As the match progresses, both players slowly build up their Super Mode meter. Once it’s full, you can activate it by pressing the Super Mode button.
This gives your player/s a temporary stat boost and a fiery animation, like a striker bursting through defenders with added speed and strength, or a defender locking down a dangerous play. Used at the right moment, Super Mode can shift the entire momentum of a match, like securing a goal or stopping a dangerous lob.
You win a match in FIFA Rivals by either scoring 2 goals before your opponent or having a 1–0 lead when the 90-second timer runs out. If the score is tied at full time, the game proceeds to a penalty shootout to decide the winner.
Every player on your team is represented by a player card. These cards are the heart of the game’s progression and collectible system. You can earn them by opening packs, which are available through gameplay, events, or the in-game shop.
Each card includes:
Higher-rarity cards often feature more recognizable players, stronger base stats, and greater long-term value. Duplicates aren’t wasted either—they can be used to level up and improve cards you already own.
As you progress, you’ll also unlock tactical options like formations and set-piece customization. You can assign specific players to take free kicks, penalties, and corners, allowing for more control over your match strategy. Managing your team involves making smart decisions about which players to use, when to rotate your lineup, and how to allocate upgrades. It’s a constant balance between power, contracts, and future planning.
There are two main currencies in FIFA Rivals:
Both currencies can be earned by playing matches, climbing leaderboards, completing missions, and participating in events. While you can spend real money to buy more Gems, the game gives you steady ways to earn both through regular play.
FIFA Rivals features a ranking system where you climb the league by consistently winning matches. Each victory earns you points, helping you move into higher tiers where the competition becomes tougher—but the rewards get better too.
As you progress, you’ll unlock daily and seasonal rewards that often include player packs, upgrade materials, in-game currencies like gems and cash, and potentially even exclusive cards or cosmetics in future updates.
FIFA Rivals hasn’t fully revealed its Web3 features yet, but since it runs on the Mythos blockchain, the same system used in NFL Rivals, it’s likely to follow a similar model. In NFL Rivals, player cards double as NFTs that can be owned, traded, and upgraded through the Mythical Marketplace, and FIFA Rivals is expected to offer “collectible football cards, featuring officially licensed football stars across varying rarities like Common, Rare, Epic, Legendary, and Mythical.
These cards not only serve as digital collectibles but also influence gameplay stats, making rare pulls valuable both competitively and cosmetically. The blockchain layer remains optional and hidden from casual players, ensuring a seamless experience for anyone just looking to play. For those who want to dive into ownership and trading, the Web3 systems are already built into the backend, making FIFA Rivals approachable for all types of players.
FIFA Rivals doesn’t ask for much—just 90 seconds of your time. Then another. And another. With its fast-paced match format, collectible card system, and light Web3 integration, it hooks you before you even realize it. One moment you’re testing your first squad, the next you’ve opened ten packs, pulled your favorite striker, activated Super Mode like a boss, and somehow ended up in the top 100… all during your coffee break. Or... maybe you whiffed all your chase cards, ran into a whale with a fully upgraded squad, and rage-quit mid-slide tackle. We've all been there.
Whether you’re here to build your dream team or just chasing that one perfect match, FIFA Rivals makes it hard to put down. So clear some space on your phone—and maybe your schedule—because once the global launch hits, it’s game on.
Updated:
June 3rd 2025
Posted:
June 3rd 2025