No charge to play pre-release FIFA Online on PC

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FIFA Online, a free soccer game that can be played via web browsers on average computers, has flung wide its doors to the world as part of an unlimited-numbers testing phase.

The game is developed by EA Sports which is also responsible for FIFA 10 and FIFA 2010 World Cup on consoles.

Like Tiger Woods PGA Tour Online, EA's other big name online sports game, FIFA Online will be free to play. PGA Tour Online offers extra courses, equipment and tournaments for a fee, and FIFA Online is expected to do the same.

The game is in fact the sequel to an Asian version, currently known as FIFA Online 2, which has been available in one form or another since 2006.

That precursor allows players to participate in World Tours and a FIFA World Cup mode, and they can top up in-game credits using real world cash should they feel the need arise.

Sign-ups for FIFA Online are now being accepted at fifa-online.easports.com.