Soccer might not be as big a deal in the US as in the rest of the world. Still, soccer has been growing on Americans in recent years. What Europeans call football is even closing in on baseball in terms of popularity. And with the US co-hosting the 2026 World Cup along with Mexico, soccer might gain even more traction in coming years. So, do you want to get familiar with the basics? If you’re a gamer, don’t fret. You don’t need to get on the pitch to enjoy a good old soccer game. Just turn on the console and let these three games do the trick. 

FIFA 22

Alright, let’s get it out of the way. FIFA is the go-to game for soccer lovers. Pro Evolution Soccer fans might disagree. But FIFA remains the benchmark of all modern soccer games. And professional players seem on the same page. Like PSG’s Kylian Mbappé and Manchester City’s Jack Grealish, countless superstars have shown love for the franchise.

Obviously, such a long-running series as FIFA has had its highs and lows. Still, no other game will make you feel this close to controlling a soccer match. From top-notch graphics to personalized stats, this is sports gaming at its very best. And the multiple modes give FIFA an almost never-ending replay value. So, pick your favorite club and navigate the “Ultimate Team” mode to make your way to the top of the table. Or else, get together with your best mates to play some street soccer or take on the world in Co-op mode.

Football Manager

Football Manager is in a league of its own in career mode. Simply put, the Football Manager series is an addictive soccer experience. This game of tactics and strategy makes you start from the bottom. You can either create a club of your own or choose an existing team. From then on, your goal is to bring your squad to the top of the first-division league.

To do so, you have more options than you could ever dream of. Of course, you need to scout star talents. But that’s only scratching the surface. Football Manager allows you to supervise every last detail on and off the pitch. From setting training schedules to arranging friendly matches and managing wages, you won’t fall short of actions to keep the fun going. 

And in no time, you will find yourself shouting orders at your screen every time a game is on. You could even make it as far as counseling some pro soccer squads, like the absolute scouting expert you’ve become.

Rocket League

If you’re looking for a fresh take on the soccer game genre, Rocket League might be what you need. On paper, mixing soccer with cars sounds like a strange combination. But this team-based game is so much fun that it had to be on this list. The 3-on-3 matches are pure gaming bliss. Their intense mechanics allow for some epic moments and even more hilarious goals. The customization aspect is another hit, as you can build a vehicle that looks like no other and try it out through several game modes.

Despite being released in 2015, Rocket League is still going strong. Indeed, Psyonix’s game is now a staple of e-sports that players can even bet on. And the number of sportsbooks covering e-sports keeps on soaring worldwide. In the UK, the top online betting sites offer competitive odds to place a bet on your favorite pro gaming teams. You can wager on many more sports as well, from tennis and cricket to horse racing. The best betting platforms from the portal sbo.net even reward gamblers with tremendous promotions, including free bets and enhanced odds. So, whether you’re watching a game on mobile or wagering from home, you can make some bucks anywhere and anytime.

Are you not much of a soccer fan yet? Just try out some entries on this list. Of course, we could have mentioned other classic soccer games. You may also enjoy some oddballs like our favorite, the anime-ish Captain Tsubasa: Rise of New Champions. Whichever game you choose, though, chances are high you end up falling in love with the beautiful game.