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The Best Co-Op Soccer Games Around in 2022

Soccer video games have been around for well over three decades now. History states that the first color soccer-themed title was launched in 1979 by Mattel with “NASL Soccer” built exclusively for the Intellivision. Yet, you have to go back to 1976 for the first official soccer video game for the Binatone TV Master MK IV. However, soccer was nowhere near as big business then as it is today. In fact, it’s now comfortably the most popular sport to watch and bet on worldwide. All of which explains why so many licensed bookmakers make the move to provide free bets ahead of major soccer spectacles like the UEFA Champions League and FIFA World Cup finals. If you’re new to soccer and you’re wondering if co-op games have graduated, and rightly so, into team sports, you’ll be pleased to know there are plenty of co-op soccer titles to take your pick from.

FIFA 22

EA Sports’ FIFA franchise is still very much alive and kicking. Its co-op mode is one of the most engaging of all the soccer video games. In fact, in the latest FIFA 22 release there is a dedicated FIFA Ultimate Team (FUT) “Co-op Lobby”, whereby friends can team up to take part co-operatively in FUT games in order to earn rewards and points by completing in-game objectives.

This new “Public Matchmaking” mode is perfect for casual soccer gamers that are happy to be paired with another FUT player who wants to play in the same squad. Within the game, you can control any player on the team – apart from the one actively controlled by your random teammate at the time. Co-operative gameplay has been enhanced further from FIFA 21 to FIFA 22 with the opportunity to play together in “Division Rivals” and “FUT Champions” game modes, too.

Rocket League

Although it’s not soccer in its purest form, Rocket League is a crazy but engaging fusion of automotive fun and soccer game dynamics. Hone your car until it’s ready for the battle field and compete in arcade-style soccer games, attempting to ram the oversized ball into the opposition’s goal using your souped-up vehicle. This co-operative game has become one of the most popular sport-themed eSports games on the planet. The Rocket League Esports franchise has a prize pool of around $6 million up for grabs by professional teams.

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Online and split-screen functionality makes it possible to pair up with friends or teammates in co-operative Rocket League teams in 2v2, 3v3 or 4v4 mode. The co-operative mode is available against other human-controlled teams or AI-controlled teams.

Kopanito All-Stars Soccer

Take a peek at the casual mobile gaming market and you’ll catch a glimpse of Merixgames’ Kopanito All-Stars Soccer game. It is one of the most popular arcade-style soccer games available today. It is wholly skill-based, so although there are some crazy superpowers attributed to individual players, they must be used at the right time to hit the back of the net.

Kopanito All-Stars Soccer has local co-op gameplay, with the ability to team up with a friend on the same side against a team of AI-controlled bots. There is a nod towards some of the most nostalgic soccer arcade sims in this release. There are distinct shades of Sensible Soccer and Kick Off, both of which had top-down views of the pitch. The game continues to be refined by the Merixgames team following its inaugural release in 2014.

To sum up the three titles mentioned, if you want the most authentic and realistic soccer sim, FIFA 22 takes some stopping in the co-op stakes. If you enjoy fusion games and aren’t fussed about every aspect of your gameplay being true to the sport, Rocket League and Kopanito All-Stars Soccer are just the ticket. Rocket League feeds competitive gamers, with an online league system allowing you to work your vehicle up the divisions and continue to hone and customize your soccer machine for bigger and faster match-ups.

Better still, all of these games are 100% cross-platform, with the ability to play on a raft of traditional and next-gen consoles, desktop PCs and mobile devices too.