What it is
EA Sports FC Mobile, the game many people still call FIFA, is free to download. You can play matches without paying. Packs that might contain a better player are sold for points, and points cost money. The odds are the point of the shop. Most packs will not be the player on the advert.
What it costs: as much as a saved card will allow, especially during a promo. What a child can do without it: play. The squad on the advert is not a requirement.
What to look out for
- Points or packs bought during a weekend promo.
- A repeat charge that looks small and happens often.
- Chat in a club with people they have not met.
- Anger or secrecy after a pack “did not pay out”.
Ways to stay safe
These steps are for EA Sports FC Mobile. The house rules still apply on every app.
- Do not put your card details on their device. Not in the App Store, Google Play, the game, or PayPal. If you choose to pay, type the card in yourself for that purchase, then remove it.
- Matches yes. Packs no, unless you bought one on purpose and then removed the card.
- Say out loud that most packs do not contain the advertised player.
- No card on the device. Club chat is something you look at if they join one.
In the news
Published reports you can read yourself. A headline is the proof, not a set of instructions, and this page does not repeat graphic detail.
- Top-selling mobile games breaking rules on loot boxes The BBC’s 2024 check is about random purchases in the top phone games. It does not name EA Sports FC. The phone game sells player packs in that shop.
A way to start the conversation
You can say: "You can play a match for free. A pack is a paid lucky dip, and we are not doing that on your phone. My card stays with me."
Video
Parent briefing
A short video for this guide can be added by an editor. Until then, the written briefing above is the one to use.