Update 09:08 BST 22/09/22: A Fortnite spokesperson has reached out to TheGamer and confirmed that there is no collaboration with FIFA for a World Cup crossover in the pipeline. "This rumor isn’t accurate and is purely speculation. We do not have a partnership with FIFA for the World Cup," the spokesperson confirmed.
Fortnite chapter three season four kicked off last weekend, ushering in a Paradise-themed season during which the island will be slowly engulfed in chrome. A new season means new files for the game's data miners to delve into, and one of the new discoveries made may have hinted that the World Cup will be coming to Fortnite later this year.
No, not the Fortnite World Cup, the football one. The Qatar World Cup kicks off in November, taking place later in the year than usual due to the conditions the players would have to compete in if the tournament took place during the summer. As for Fortnite's involvement, Wensoing discovered challenges with a World Cup tag attached in the game's files.
Hypex has since shared the information, implying that the timing of the challenges appearing could mean some sort of FIFA World Cup x Fortnite collaboration is in the works. It would potentially be huge business for both parties so a team-up would certainly make sense. The World Cup driving more people to play Fortnite, and people playing Fortnite being persuaded to take in a match or two.
The only bad news for anyone now excited about this possibility is the link appears to be more tenuous than its leakers first thought. Hypex has since followed up on their original tweet, clarifying a source has indicated this will be a regular football crossover and not one officially connected to the World Cup at all. Strange considering the challenges have the World Cup label attached and will likely be available when the tournament is in full swing.
While Fortnite has never officially teamed up with FIFA in the past, plenty of footballers have already had their likenesses added to the game. Both Neymar and Harry Kane have been immortalized in The Loop, and both will be competing at the World Cup later this year. As for confirmed crossovers, you can currently step into a virtual version of The Tonight Show via Fortnite Creative.