Not too long ago, players would need to purchase a standalone FIFA game or pay for expensive DLC for the annual release if they wanted to experience a proper World Cup mode. Thankfully, however, times have changed, with EA now opting to provide FIFA 23 players with a free World Cup mode via a post-launch update.
Though the World Cup mode in question is not quite as comprehensive as some of the developer's previous efforts, it's still a lot of fun to play, particularly with friends. With certain teams and thus certain players not having qualified for the tournament though, some may be wondering who the best players in FIFA 23's World Cup mode are.
Virgil van Dijk (Netherlands) - 90
Many consider Virgil van Dijk to be the best center back in the world and this is reflected in the Liverpool player's impressive 90 rating. The Dutch defender is one of the top ten players in FIFA 23 and the highest-rated central defender in both the base version of the game and its World Cup mode.
Though his standards have perhaps dropped just a little over the past few seasons, he still provides a strong base from which to build and thus a compelling reason to choose the Netherlands while playing FIFA 23's World Cup mode. That said, that the team's best player is a defender will perhaps be a little worrying for those who enjoy attacking football.
Thibaut Courtois (Belgium) - 90
Having lifted both La Liga and the Champions League last season, it seems fair to assume that Thibaut Courtois is enjoying his football these days. The Belgian shot-stopper played an important role in Real Madrid's successful campaign too, even picking up the Man of the Match award in the ECL final.
Sadly, the difference between having a keeper who is rated 90 and one who is rated in the mid-to-low eighties isn't all that noticeable in FIFA 23. Even so, Courtois is undoubtedly a top, top player and one of many great players in Roberto Martínez's squad for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
Manuel Neuer (Germany) - 90
Though Courtois is probably the best goalkeeper in the world right now, Neuer is undoubtedly the most consistent. The German shot-stopper has been at the top of his game for more than a decade now and has won just about everything there is to win in football, including both the World Cup and the Champions League.
That the Bayern Munich goalkeeper is Germany's highest-rated player may not seem like the best advertisement for German football at first glance, but there are plenty of other talented players in Hansi Flick's World Cup squad. They're far from favorites, but it wouldn't be all that surprising to see Germany lift the World Cup come the final in December.
Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal) - 90
Qatar 2022 will almost certainly be Cristiano Ronaldo's last World Cup, if not his final international tournament with Portugal. It's been a rough season for the five-time Ballon d'Or winner so far, but only a fool would bet against him banging in a few goals in Qatar even with Portugal's tough group.
The World Cup is the only major trophy that has eluded Ronaldo thus far and the record-breaking goalscorer will be desperate to put that right in Qatar. Portugal may not have the strongest squad in the tournament, but it does have a very strong midfield, so, as is often the case when Ronaldo is involved, anything is possible.
Robert Lewandowski (Poland) - 91
Despite being one of the highest-rated strikers in FIFA 23's World Cup mode, the chances of Robert Lewandowski getting his hands on the trophy are incredibly slim. To be clear, that's not to say that Poland isn't a good team, more that some of the other nations at this year's World Cup are operating at a slightly higher level.
Even so, Lewandowski has been in phenomenal form for a good few years now and has really hit the ground running since moving to Barcelona in the summer transfer window. With Mexico and Saudi Arabia in their group, it wouldn't be too surprising to see Poland progress to the round of 16, so Lewandowski will likely have at least four matches in which to add to his 76 international goals.
Lionel Messi (Argentina) - 91
From a man who has had two Ballon d'Ors stolen from him to one who has won a record-breaking seven, many regard Lionel Messi as the greatest football player of all time. There are plenty of stats with which to back that assertion up too, including 26 goal involvements in just 18 domestic matches at the beginning of the 2022-2023 season.
Like his long-time rival Ronaldo, the World Cup is the only major trophy that Messi has failed to lift in his illustrious career and so the little Argentine will be hoping to set that right in Qatar. Given that Messi turned 35 at the end of last season, this will probably be the last chance that he gets to do so, so, as usual, a lot of eyes will be on him once the tournament gets underway.
Kylian Mbappé (France) - 91
At any other club, Messi would be the first name on the team sheet. However, at PSG, it's Kylian Mbappé who's the top dog if rumors are to be believed. The Parisian club offered him an obscene amount of money to stay with them last summer, and he's so far repaid them with 18 goals in his first nineteen matches of the season, along with five assists.
Mbappé's record for France is not quite as impressive, but he still manages around a goal every other game. Considering the strength of the French national team heading into the 2022 World Cup, there's a very good chance of them making it all the way to the final, so Mbappé should have plenty of chances to add to his tally and improve his strike rate a little.
Kevin De Bruyne (Belgium) - 91
Kevin De Bruyne is tied for the title of the best player in FIFA 23's World Cup mode and is the second Belgian to make it into the top ten. He's been in exceptional form this season too, with three goals and 13 assists in 18 domestic matches at the time of writing.
Of course, it helps to be playing at Manchester City behind a player like Erling Haaland, with many of the Belgian's assists having been for the big Norweigan hitman. Sadly, Haaland won't be making an appearance in Qatar, though De Bruyne will have Romelulu Lukaku playing in front of him, so there's every chance of him adding to his already impressive tally of international assists.
Karim Benzema (France) - 91
Having just won the Ballon d'Or off the back of an incredibly impressive season, it seems fair to say that Karim Benzema is the best player in the world right now. This bodes very well for France, who, just like PSG at club level, have two of the five 91-rated players in FIFA 23 among their ranks.
There are plenty of other talented players in the French national team too and the competition in Group D is not quite as fierce as it is in some of the other groups. It's for these reasons that a lot of people have their money on France to lift the World Cup in Qatar, and Benzema and Mbappé could certainly help to make that happen.
FIFA 23 is available on PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series S|X, Nintendo Switch, and PC.