Fifa 18 World Cup update: Release time, what's included and how to download

The game will arrive in a few hours

Fifa's World Cup update is about to arrive.

The free download will make Fifa 18 into an entirely new game – bringing with it all the players and teams of the World Cup, and similar changes to FUT and other modes.

Previous versions of Fifa have been a whole separate – though similar – game that players have been forced to buy all over again. But this time around it will just come as a free update to Fifa 18.

What time is it out?

The update will arrive in no more than a few hours. It has been promised for 29 May, and there is only about half a day left until that comes to an end.

Most likely, it will arrive around 6pm UK time, or 1pm in New York. That has not yet been confirmed, but is roughly when previous updates from EA Sports have arrived.

How do I download it?

As mentioned, the game is entirely free. You do need the full version of Fifa 18, though, and will need to buy it if you haven't already.

Once you have, and once the game is released, it will arrive as an update that should download automatically but which will install once you open the game if not. That will be the same whatever platform you have it on: PS4, Xbox One, PC and even Nintendo Switch.

What is it?

The World Cup update brings everything you need to play authentic World Cup matches: all the teams that have qualified and their authentic kits and squads, all of the 12 stadiums, and the official match ball.

It will also have World Cup modes, and new players for FUT. It will include a special custom World Cup mode, meaning that you can play through the competition ahead of the real one – or even use teams that didn't qualify.