For Harish Rajagopalan, the connection began with Arsenal on a demo. “The connection started with scoring tons of goals on playing for Arsenal as the first available team on demo,” he said.
That route into football was familiar across India. Before regular access to European broadcasts became widespread, the game offered instant familiarity. Players could choose Manchester United, Arsenal or Barcelona, recognise global stars and begin following real-world clubs through the virtual version.
The branding mattered, too. EA’s long-running agreement with placed the governing body’s name at the centre of the box and, eventually, in everyday football language. In India, “” became shorthand not only for the game but often for the World Cup itself.
The franchise also helped football travel beyond traditional supporters. Personal computers, consoles and later mobile phones brought the sport into homes where following overseas leagues had once been difficult.
Its licensed teams and players gave the experience an authenticity that rival games struggled to match. For many youngsters, learning about football began with selecting a favourite club before watching its real matches.
That familiarity opened a route into esports. Saksham had played since 2005, and after a ligament injury ended his hopes of representing India on the pitch, competitive gaming offered another way forward. “It was the closest thing to football for me and I got to hoist the Indian flag on international soil while playing at World Cup,” he said.
EA and have since gone their separate ways, with the game now known as EA Sports FC. Yet the old name remains deeply embedded in Indian football culture, reflecting how powerfully the series shaped a supporter generation.
The next chapter will belong to India’s esports structure and the players discovering football through newer platforms. Whether they call it or EA Sports FC, the controller remains an important gateway to the game.