Six players from FIFA 22’s Icon roster were absent from FIFA 23’s: Diego Maradona, Ryan Giggs, Deco, Pep Guardiola, Marc Overmars and Filippo Inzaghi. Hidetoshi Nakata and Jay-Jay Okocha also lost Icon status, but FIFA 23 included them as FUT Heroes rather than removing them from the game.
FIFA 22 Icons absent from FIFA 23
| Player | FIFA 23 status | What is known about the reason |
|---|---|---|
| Diego Maradona | Absent from the Icon roster; EA suspended his Icon items from specified FUT content. | EA cited a third-party legal dispute. |
| Ryan Giggs | Absent from the Icon roster. | No reason is established in the cited reporting. |
| Deco | Absent from the Icon roster. | No reason is established in the cited reporting. |
| Pep Guardiola | Absent from the Icon roster. | No reason is established in the cited reporting. |
| Marc Overmars | Absent from the Icon roster. | No reason is established in the cited reporting. |
| Filippo Inzaghi | Absent from the Icon roster. | No reason is established in the cited reporting. |
A contemporary roster report lists Cafu among FIFA 23’s available Icons, so he is not part of this list of absent players. Charlie INTEL’s FIFA 23 Icons report, published September 22, 2022, distinguishes the six absent players from two players who changed categories.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
|
FIFA 23 - Xbox One | $24.76 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
|
ELECTRONIC ARTS FIFA 23 Standard Anglais Playstation 5 | $39.43 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
|
FIFA 23 (Legacy Edition) - For Nintendo Switch | $73.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
|
FIFA 23 Legacy Edition (Switch) Import Region Free | $99.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 5 |
|
FIFA 23 Legacy Edition - Switch | $49.99 | Buy on Amazon |
Nakata and Okocha became FUT Heroes
Hidetoshi Nakata and Jay-Jay Okocha were no longer Icons in FIFA 23, but they remained in the game as FUT Heroes. Some coverage describes eight FIFA 22 Icons as “cut”; that broader count includes these two category changes. It does not mean all eight disappeared from FIFA 23.
Why was Maradona removed?
EA Sports attributed Maradona’s removal from specified FUT content to a third-party legal dispute. GamesRadar+ reproduced EA’s statement: “Due to a third party legal dispute, we must suspend Diego Maradona from appearing in FIFA Ultimate Team Packs, future FUT content and the Soccer Aid World XI.” EA also said his Icon Items would no longer be available in Packs, SBCs and FUT Draft. GamesRadar+’s FIFA 23 Icons coverage reported the statement.
#1 Best Overall
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The cited reporting does not establish why Giggs, Deco, Guardiola, Overmars or Inzaghi were absent. It would be speculation to assign their absence to licensing or any personal controversy.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What Icon status meant for FUT squads
Icon status mattered beyond the player card: EA’s FUT design notes said Icons always had full Chemistry when used in their Preferred Position and counted as two increments toward their country or region Chemistry Threshold. EA’s FIFA 23 FUT Deep Dive explains this Chemistry behavior.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- EA SPORTS FIFA 23 Legacy Edition is now available on Nintendo Switch. Includes many of the latest uniforms, clubs, and players from top leagues around the world. We also add the top team of girls clubs and the world's famous stadiums (including new releases)
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- Please note that although this game is Region Free or Region Unlocked and will work on all systems, this is the international version and may differ from the local version in age rating, labeling or instructions.
- It will also feature the addition of top women’s club teams and some of the world’s most famous stadiums, including brand new ones.
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- Gameplay features and modes will have parity with FIFA 22 on Nintendo Switch and will feature the same gameplay from FIFA 22 Legacy Edition without any new development or significant enhancements.
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Rank #3
- Updated visual identity and a refreshed broadcast overlay package.
- Featuring the latest kits, clubs, and squads from some of the top leagues of the world.
- Now includes top women’s club teams and some of the world’s most famous stadiums, including brand new ones.
- Gameplay features and modes will have parity with FIFA 22 on Nintendo Switch without any new significant enhancements.
Rank #2
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