With kick-off in Russia fast approaching, EA Sports’ new FIFA 18 World Cup update will give you the opportunity to lead your country to glory in a tournament that is still widely regarded as the holy grail of football. Released on May 29, this add-on is now accessible FREE of charge to those who already have their hands on a copy of this season’s title and allows you to immerse yourself in the universal euphoria on and off the pitch.

Since FIFA 2018 debuted across gaming platforms in September last year, it has fired up a range of emotions throughout thousands of households across the country. From endless frustration to dramatic last-gasp success, gamers can now bring this summer’s extravaganza to their front room. As well as having all 32 qualified nations available in World Cup mode, gamers can even try and reverse the fortunes of those that will not be boarding the plane to Russia by coordinating their own custom tournament – teams range from Chile to the USA to four-time winners Italy.

The developers at FIFA HQ have even integrated official World Cup elements which include all 12 host stadiums (each with their own lifelike pitch conditions), as well as licensed kits, high-resolution crowds and the Telstar match ball. Along with the attention to detail and event authenticity that this update brings, it also features FIFA World Cup Ultimate Team (FUT) – the latter giving you the pure joy of assembling your dream international squad from the world’s best players plus legendary World Cup icons – look out for the likes of Pele, Diego Maradona and Brazil’s 2002 hero Ronaldo.

The World Cup mode part features an impressive array of updates that will impact on how a player performs in FUT. Online publication TechRadar have highlighted that is based on a new ‘chemistry system’ that will use a player’s nationality and confederation, rather than their league or club, to determine their efficiency. This will help bear a resemblance to what goes on in Russia and all players lucky enough to represent nations that qualified have been presented with up-to-date stats, so you can be sure any pack you open will be a strong representation of each player gracing the game’s biggest stage.

Unfortunately, Ultimate Team does not allow you to trade or sell players which means if you acquire the same player twice, you have nowhere to turn. Despite this, FUT players are still being incentivised – every Standard or Premium pack purchased in FIFA World Cup Ultimate Team will grant the equivalent pack value in FUT 18.

Gamers can enjoy this cinematic marvel online or offline – the Frostbite engine delivers a powerful gaming performance, capable of translating incredible visuals like weather conditions and refining the elements that epitomise the World Cup experience.

This clever add-on by FIFA is sure to heighten World Cup fever so make sure you download your copy now. Could you and your country be crowned champions this summer?