SCORE YOUR PLACE IN THE FIFA INTERACTIVE WORLD CUP 2006 WITH THE XBOX® LIVE™ QUALIFIER TOURNAMENT

UK 9 November, 2006 - Gamers were today given their call up to take part in the FIFA Interactive World Cup 2006 Qualifier, by entering the Xbox® Live connected gaming tournament for a chance to secure their place at the FIFA Interactive World Cup Final.

Football fans from around the world will have the opportunity to compete in the competition that combines on and offline next generation football gaming action using EA SPORTS FIFA 07 on Xbox 360. Alongside the series of offline FIFA Interactive World Cup Qualifier Events taking place around the globe, from today, gamers in 25 countries, from Mexico to France and from Taiwan to Scotland, will be able to register for the Xbox Live competition at www.xboxlivetournament.com. The connected gaming tournament will then run from 13th - 20th November 2006 with five winners being selected from the UK (2 winners from England, 1 from Scotland, 1 from Wales and 1 from Northern Ireland)

29 Xbox Live winners will join local champions from each of the offline Qualifier Events at the FIFA Interactive World Cup Grand Final in Amsterdam on the 9th December 2006. This year will see the largest group of finalists to date, with 128 of the cream of interactive football talent competing to be recognised as the world's best. In the new format of the finals, this year's winner will also get to test his or her skills against the finalists from the previous two FIWC tournaments. The winner will be able to take home a cash prize of US $20,000 (or local equivalent) and will also receive an all expenses paid trip to Zurich to attend the FIFA World Player Gala 2006 on Monday 18th December, where this year's real life football stars will be awarded.

Last year, Xbox Live entrant Chris Bullard from Ipswich, England emerged victorious having defeated Gabor Mokos, of Kecskemét, Hungary in an intense final at The Brewery in London.

"We're really excited to be part of the FIFA Interactive World Cup 2006 exclusively bringing next generation high-definition football gaming action to players across the globe with FIFA 07. It's great to be hosting the connected gaming tournaments on Xbox Live giving our four million members worldwide the chance be part of this great competition and take on their friends." said Richard Teversham, Director of Marketing, Xbox Europe.

"The FIFA Interactive World Cup is the place for gamers and football enthusiasts from around the world to meet, compete and celebrate their love of football," said Clive Downie, Vice President International Marketing, EA. "With the Xbox Live component of the tournament, we're giving even more fans the opportunity to take part in the virtual football action and compete against the world's best with all new FIFA 07 gameplay action on the Xbox 360 for the ultimate title of FIFA Interactive World Player of the Year."

For more information about the FIFA Interactive World Cup 2006 please visit www.FIFA.com.

To request the Official Emblem of the FIFA Interactive World Cup 2006, please fill out the marks request form for media on www.FIFAdigitalarchive.com.

About FIFA

For more than 100 years, the Fédération Internationale de Football Association, founded on 21 May 1904 in Paris and better known as FIFA, has continued to provide the essential leadership role to the international football family. Headquartered in Zurich, Switzerland, the eighth FIFA President, Joseph S. Blatter (Switzerland), guides the organisation today with a commitment to the evolution of FIFA as a modern and dynamic association. The basis of the world's football family is formed by FIFA's member associations. From the founding seven in 1904, the family has today grown to 207 affiliated associations, also organised into six confederations spanning the globe. FIFA's worldwide activities go well beyond its various competitions, such as the world's biggest single-sport event, the FIFA World Cup. In projects such as the FIFA GOAL Programme as well as several other development and charity activities such as the SOS Children Villages, UNICEF and streetfootballworld, FIFA gives material, financial and promotional support to develop the game and bring joy to underprivileged worldwide. For further details on FIFA's events and activities please go to www.FIFA.com.

About Electronic Arts

Electronic Arts Inc. (EA), headquartered in Redwood City, California, is the world's leading interactive entertainment software company. Founded in 1982, the company develops, publishes, and distributes interactive software worldwide for videogame systems, personal computers and the Internet. Electronic Arts markets its products under four brand names: EA SPORTSTM, EATM, EA SPORTS BIGTM and POGOTM. In fiscal 2006, EA posted revenue of $2.95 billion and had 27 titles that sold more than one million copies. EA's homepage and online game site is www.ea.com. More information about EA's products and full text of press releases can be found on the Internet at http://info.ea.com.

About Xbox 360

Xbox 360 is the most powerful video game and entertainment system, delivering the best games, the next generation of the premier Xbox Live online gaming service, and unique digital entertainment experiences that revolve around gamers. The system was first launched in North America, Europe and Japan in 2005 and then in Australia, Colombia, Hong Kong, Korea, Mexico, New Zealand, Singapore and Taiwan in 2006. More information can be found online at http://www.xbox.com/xbox360.

About Xbox Live

Xbox Live is the first and only unified online entertainment network seamlessly integrated throughout the entire console experience, making it easy for people to find the friends, games and entertainment they want from the moment they power on their Xbox 360 system. Xbox Live connects four million members across 25 countries to enjoy hundreds of multiplayer games, downloadable games via Xbox Live Arcade, free and premium playable game demos, music videos, and movie trailers, as well as new game levels, characters and vehicles for all their favorite retail games.

About Microsoft

Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq "MSFT") is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential.

Electronic Arts, EA, EA SPORTS, EA SPORTS BIG, and POGO are trademarks or registered trademarks of Electronic Arts Inc. in the U.S. and/or other countries.