The countdown to the official unveiling of EA Sports FC 27 has officially begun, as leakers say one cover star makes a comeback after lengthy absence16:00, 13 Jul 2026As the current EA Sports FC cycle draw to a close, eyes are slowly shifting onto what the next iteration of the football game franchise will offer. While EA FC 26 continues to highlight the 2026 World Cup with in-game events, before we know it the new football season will be upon us.‌With the 2026-2027 season rapidly approaching, as too is the reveal of EA Sports FC 27. The dominant name in football videogames since the FIFA days that ended in 2024, EA Sports is prepping a new title as we speak.‌In fact, we can expect some big news in the coming days if history has taught us anything. EA Sports revealed EA FC 26 this time last year, and EA FC 25 was also unveiled around the same time in 2024.‌EA Sports is likely to follow the same marketing schedule, so we should be getting a first look at what to expect. However, there are some substantial rumours floating around already - including who’ll grace the game’s cover.It should be no surprise that leaks about the cover star are abound already. There have been some big names showcased on the front of the FIFA and FC series over the years, including the likes of Ronaldinho, Wayne Rooney and Lionel Messi.The last two years of EA Sports’ football game have featured England’s current World Cup hero, Jude Bellingham. The Real Madrid man first appeared on the cover for EA FC 25, before being joined by childhood friend Jamal Musiala of Bayern Munich for EA FC 26.‌Who will appear on the cover of EA Sports FC 27?If leakers are to be believed, Bellingham will again feature when the cover star for EA FC 27 is revealed. With an official announcement from EA Sports likely this week, it could be quite the week for Bellingham - although one senses he might prefer a World Cup winners’ medal to a third consecutive EA Sports cover if he could choose.According to prominent leaker Detective FUT, on X, formerly Twitter, Bellingham could be joined on the cover by the most recent Ballon d’Or winner, Ousmane Dembele. However, there’s also the possibility of a Barcelona player gracing the cover for the first time since FIFA 16 with Messi’s last appearance.‌Detective FUT says, "based on the information I have", that the cover could shared by a Barcelona and Real Madrid player, representing one of football’s most infamous rivalries. However, the leaked Ultimate Edition cover star is one raising eyebrows.Last year, EA Sports used Zlatan Ibrahimovic as the Ultimate Edition cover star to celebrate his inclusion as an Icon in Ultimate Team. It was the fourth time that a retired star from the past was used to promote the Ultimate Edition.Back in 2019, for FIFA 20, Zinedine Zidane was on the cover, while EA FC 24 featured a mix of legends and active players including David Beckham and standard edition cover star Erling Haaland. EA FC 25 included the likes of Gianluigi Buffon alongside women’s Ballon d’Or holder Aitana Bonmati.‌But in 2026, the Ultimate Edition is expected to use a man whose legacy is cemented as a football legend despite the fact he is yet to hang up his boots. That man? None other than Cristiano Ronaldo.If the leak is true, it means Ronaldo will grace the EA Sports game cover for the first time in eight years, when he appeared on the front of FIFA 19. It was his second consecutive feature, having also been the star of FIFA 18 during his final season at Real Madrid.However, his third appearance is still far behind some of the leading FIFA and EA FC cover stars, as Rooney leads the way in the UK with seven features between 2005 and 2012. He is followed by Messi and Ronaldinho with four each, and Mbappe already has three.‌Every FIFA and EA Sports FC cover star - full list(UK versions only)EA Sports FC 26: Jude Bellingham and Jamal MusialaEA Sports FC 25: Jude BellinghamEA Sports FC 24: Erling HaalandFIFA 23: Kylian Mbappe and Sam KerrFIFA 22: Kylian MbappeFIFA 21: Kylian MbappeFIFA 20: Eden HazardFIFA 19: Cristiano RonaldoFIFA 18: Cristiano RonaldoFIFA 17: Marco ReusFIFA 16: Lionel MessiFIFA 15: Lionel MessiFIFA 14: Lionel MessiFIFA 13: Lionel MessiFIFA 12: Wayne RooneyFIFA 11: Wayne Rooney and KakaFIFA 10: Wayne Rooney, Theo Walcott and Frank LampardFIFA 09: Wayne Rooney and RonaldinhoFIFA 08: Wayne Rooney and RonaldinhoFIFA 07: Wayne Rooney and RonaldinhoFIFA 06: Wayne Rooney and RonaldinhoFIFA 2005: Patrick Vieira, Fernando Morientes, Andriy ShevchenkoFIFA 2004: Thierry Henry, Alessando del Piero, RonaldinhoFIFA 2003: Edgar Davids, Ryan Giggs, Roberto CarlosFIFA 2002: Thierry HenryFIFA 2001: Paul ScholesFIFA 2000: Sol CampbellFIFA 99: Dennis BergkampFIFA 98 - Road to the World Cup: David BeckhamFIFA 64: Jordi CruyffFIFA 97: David GinolaFIFA 96: Ioan Sabau and Andy LeggFIFA 95: Erik ThorstvedtFIFA International Soccer (1993 release date): David Platt and Piotr SwierczewskiArticle continues below