New firmware almost certainly causes game to lockup while loading
Basically the game was only written to work under v2.60 of the PSP's system software. Anything older or newer and the game will not work at all.
Normally I'm a big fan of EA's FIFA series. One reason is the graphical realism, the other is the atmosphere.
When I play football on a computer or console, I don't want it to be realistic. Games are not supposed to be realistic, the idea is to for you to play out your fantasies and desires in a simulated world, where you are the hero, greatest player, greatest fighter, greatest pilot, whatever.
Dying when shot once is no fun in a game. Not being able to skin three defenders then hit an amazing shot into the top corner of the goal is no fun.
EA's FIFA games are fun. The commentators don't sound like they're board crapless, they do know who's playing and they mostly say the right things at the right times.
The players do have real names, as do the teams, the stadiums do look like the real stadiums and the crowds chant the appropriate songs and abuse depending on which team is playing at home.
You can do improbable tricks, you can pull off unlikely acrobatic shots and everything is as it should be in a fantasy world that you want to star in.
Other games don't do this - because the people that write them don't understand the emotion and the dream. It's not their fault, they do a great job considering this lack of understanding, and of course lack of licensing.
But in any case FIFA World Cup 2006 is great on a PC, PS2 and XBox 360 - but pointless to own on a PSP - it doesn't work.
Either wait for FIFA Euro 2008 and play that for the 6 months it'll work, or stick with club football and FIFA 2007 (or wait for FIFA 2008).