FIFA covers reflect global appeal

Landon Donovan may be the most recognizable homegrown soccer star in the US, but there's a little place out there where he's not so well known--it's called the rest of the world. Realizing that soccer is an international sensation with its own niche markets, publisher Electronic Arts has announced that its upcoming FIFA World Cup game will come with nine region-specific covers.

US National Team captain Claudio Reyna was chosen as one of the cover athletes for the North American release of the game. The New Jersey native plays professionally for Premiere League team Manchester City in England and is considered one of the US' greatest talents. Mexican soccer star Jamie Lozano will also be featured on the cover.

The list of region-specific covers and the cover athletes that will be featured on them is as follows:

Region--Athlete--World Cup team

China--Zhi Zhen--China
England--Frank Lampard--England
Germany--Lukas Podolski--Germany
Italy--Alessandro Del Piero--Italy
Portugal--Simao--Portugal
Belgium, Netherlands, Luxemborg--Arien Robben--Netherlands
Switzerland--Ricardo Cabanas--Switzerland
Spain--Xavi--Spain
USA, Canada, Mexico--Jamie Lozano--Mexico
USA, Canada, Mexico--Claudio Reyna--USA

In regions where the game is available that aren't listed above, box art will feature the official 2006 World Cup logo and championship trophy.

FIFA World Cup is currently in development by EA Canada for the Xbox, PlayStation 2, GameCube, DS, Game Boy Advance, PlayStation Portable, PC, mobile phones, and Xbox 360. The game is rated E for Everyone and will be released on April 24 in North America and April 28 in Europe and Asia.