FIFA Soundtrack Tier List
If you play FIFA, you don’t need me to explain how important the soundtrack is.
Music is important in basically every game, but FIFA’s soundtracks have been hailed as the best in sports gaming, and for good reason.
I’ll never forget the first FIFA I owned (FIFA 09) and opening up the game to hear the opening notes to Kids by MGMT. I was hooked instantly.
And since I haven’t discussed music on the site yet, I figured what better way to do so than to make a tier list of the FIFA soundtracks, all the way from 2009-2022.
Let’s get going.
D Tier
FIFA 09
That goes to show the standards I have for this list if the game that had me hooked on the soundtrack instantly is in D tier, but that’s how it goes.
Looking back on this soundtrack, there isn’t a ton that jump out apart from Kids.
But man oh man, Kids carries this thing wonderfully.
FIFA 10
Another game with not many memorable songs.
None of them are bad songs, mind you. But none hold the weight that later games have.
Best song: 1517 by The Whitest Boy Alive
FIFA 20
I played a lot of FIFA 20, and when I looked back through each playlist to make this post I never realized how little I remember from this soundtrack.
And it’s not like 09 and 10 where it’s been such a long time. It was just 3 years ago.
Not a great look.
Best song: The Runner by FOALS
C Tier
FIFA 19
FIFA 19 is a solid “meh” in terms of music.
There’s some great stuff on here like Billie Eilish and Childish Gambino, but I knew those songs going in.
A truly great FIFA soundtrack gives me something brand new to fall in love with, and 19 just doesn’t.
Well, except for Jackie Chan. But that’s mostly for meme purposes.
Best song: Feels Like Summer by Childish Gambino
FIFA 21
I could probably just repeat what I said above, but instead of Billie Eilish and Childish Gambino, FIFA 21 gave us Tame Impala and Dua Lipa.
Great songs! But it needs more than just star power.
Best song: Love Is Religion (The Blessed Madonna Remix) by Dua Lipa
FIFA 22
Where 19 and 21 had star power but no substance, 22 has substance but absolutely zero star power.
Still, I give them credit for getting me introduced to Sam Fender who will likely be my most listened to artist this year when Spotify Wrapped comes out.
Best song: Get You Down by Sam Fender
B Tier
FIFA 11
As I mentioned, FIFA 09 was the first FIFA I played and for 09 and 10 I was mostly transfixed on one song.
FIFA 11 was the first I started to really enjoy most of the songs on the soundtrack.
And how could I not? Snowflake by Malachai, I Can Talk by Two Door Cinema Club and Tighten Up by The Black Keys stuck in my head every single time I played.
Best song: Tighten Up by The Black Keys
FIFA 12
You could have made this entire soundtrack only Punching In A Dream by The Naked & Famous and it would likely be good enough for at least by C tier.
Throw in Foster The People and Chase & Status and you’ve got a damn good sountrack.
Best song: Punching In A Dream by The Naked & Famous
A Tier
FIFA 13
Now we’re in the good stuff.
FIFA 13 is a stacked soundtrack.
Miike Snow, St. Lucia, Madeon. I could go on and on.
This was the first FIFA soundtrack I truly fell in love with.
Best song: September by St. Lucia
FIFA 16
There are two things I remember specifically about FIFA 16.
The first song I heard on it was Feeling Electric by Parade of Lights, and that fit perfectly with the brighter menu FIFA 16 had compared to the older games.
The second thing I remember is this is the first time I had ever heard of Everything Everything, who has gone on to become one of, if not my favorite bands.
And I thank them for both.
It didn’t hurt it’s probably my favorite FIFA to play as well.
Best song: Omen by Disclosure feat. Sam Smith
FIFA 17
FIFA 17 was exactly like FIFA 13 for me.
Nothing but fantastic songs top to bottom, and a fitting bookend.
FIFA 13 was the game that made me love FIFA soundtracks. FIFA 17 was the last truly great one.
(So far).
Best song: Surprise Yourself by Jack Garratt
S Tier
FIFA 14
And now, we’re at the basically perfect soundtracks.
Ask any FIFA fan, and they’ll tell you FIFA 14 is the best soundtrack in the game’s history.
It’s a hard argument to disagree with.
Some of my absolute favorite songs of the 2010s are a part of this soundtrack.
My Number by Foals, Little Games by The Colourist. They even have Dan Croll on here!
Not to mention, my vote for best song of the decade.
It’s essentially the perfect playlist, and I didn’t even have to mention Love Me Again by John Newman.
Best song: Dreaming by Smallpools
FIFA 15
But while others may argue FIFA 14 is the best soundtrack, my vote is for FIFA 15.
I mentioned earlier how some good soundtracks had bands I discovered. Some good soundtracks had songs and bands I already knew and enjoyed.
This had it all.
I came in knowing of Foster The People, Vance Joy and Avicii.
I left knowing Saint Motel, Joywave and Saint Raymond.
This has Walk by Kwabs. 16 Years by The Griswolds. Busy Earnin’ by Jungle.
It is the perfect soundtrack. Full stop.
Picking a best song from this list is essentially impossible, but I have to.
Best song: My Type by Saint Motel
And there we have it. The best of the best.
FIFA 23 comes out in less than a month. Here’s hoping they get back to what they used to be.
