Zurich, 19 December 2004 - DecemberIn a thrilling end to the first FIFA Interactive World Cup, Thiago Carico de Azevedo today (Sunday, 19 December 2004) went down in history as the first "FIFA Interactive World Player". The 21-year-old from Rio de Janeiro triumphed 2-1 (1-0 at half time) over the USA's Matija Biljiskovic in an action-packed final in Zurich (see www.fifainteractiveworldcup.com ), as FIFA headquarters played host to a battle between the world's top eight "FIFA Football 2005" players on the Xbox platform for the right to stand alongside football stars such as Thierry Henry, Ronaldinho or Andriy Shevchenko at Monday's FIFA Centennial World Player Gala. Shimane Morkeure took third place with a 2-0 (1-0 at half time) victory over Yoon Seo Park.

"It really was a tough game. Most of the action seemed to be in midfield. I just can't believe it, I thought I could make the top three, but I never dreamt I would win. I can't wait to meet Ronaldinho!" beamed Thiago after receiving the post-match plaudits from FIFA General Secretary Urs Linsi, who had closely followed the action on a giant screen with members of the FIFA Executive Committee as the virtual and "real" football worlds came seamlessly together, with victory also the name of the game in the FIFA Interactive World Cup. Successful one-twos and shots on goal at the mere touch of a button highlighted the pure fascination of football. The finalists showed great skill in guiding their heroes - Thierry Henry, Luis Figo and co. - over the virtual pitch in much the same way as the "true" superstars of the game. The FIFA General Secretary, for whom the final was his first taste of the tournament, believes that the video game "is a mirror image of football itself". "Well done guys! Congratulations. We have just seen the birth of an event with a great future. I think you have all done something for the future today. It was unbelievably tense and we have all witnessed a perfect symbiosis between football and the interactive world," said Linsi.

All of the finalists had trained for months to come this far, showing great ambition, discipline and stamina. But before the referee could place the ball in the virtual centre circle and start the match, the players had to select their teams, pick a clear strategy for choosing players, programme their formations and tactics and assign their players to a position - all at the touch of a button.

The FIFA Interactive World Cup unites the passion for football and the world of interactive entertainment, and the launch of this new FIFA competition represents yet another milestone in the 100-year history of world football's governing body. With the help of this innovative project, FIFA will be able to explore further opportunities to promote and develop the game of football at all levels worldwide. This groundbreaking move also ensured that FIFA became the first international sports body to launch a new footballing tradition and to test the skills of footballers in a whole new manner.

FIFA World Cup™ Licensees Electronic Arts and Xbox have teamed up to support FIFA in the realisation of the FIFA Interactive World Cup. Electronic Arts has a close association with the game of football, having developed the extremely successful range of FIFA games launched in 1993 and currently in its 12th edition with "FIFA Football 2005". Xbox is recognised as the leader in the online games console industry.

Further information from:

FIFA Media Department - Tel.: +41-43/222 7272 - Fax: +41-43/ 222 7373 or E-mail: media@fifa.org
FIFA COMMUNICATIONS DIVISION / Zurich, 19 December 2004 / 2004-0139-FIWC-Final-E.doc