FIFA Interactive World Cup kicks off this week

FIFA, Electronic Arts and Sony Computer Entertainment Europe today announced the new season of the FIFA Interactive World Cup (FIWC), a season-long tournament mirroring the real world of soccer with competitors from all around the world participating in the EA SPORTS FIFA Soccer 10 on PlayStation 3.

This year marks the sixth FIWC season, which will kick off today inside EA SPORTS FIFA Soccer 10. Players will be able to compete for their spot in the Grand Final at one of 10 FIWC Live Qualifier Events across the globe, taking place in Australia, Brazil, Denmark, France, Italy, Japan, Poland, Russia, South Africa and the UK, or by playing online.

For the first time in the tournament’s history, the online competition of the FIWC via PlayStation Network will be split into two seasons. Season one starts with the launch of FIFA Soccer 10 on October 2 in Europe and concludes on December 18, 2009. The ten best players of season one from across the FIFA confederations will go through to the Grand Final, which will take place at Port Olympic in Barcelona on May 1, 2010. Players who didn’t make it during season one have another shot at their spot in the Grand Final in season two, which kicks off on January 4, 2010 and concludes on March 31, 2010. Registration for participating in the online leg of the FIWC 10 tournament will take place directly inside the retail version of FIFA Soccer 10 on PS3 from October 2 across Europe and Asia and from October 20 in North America.