This week saw the launch of FIFA 22, the crown jewel in EA's yearly sports sims, and with it came a whole bunch of FIFA news. Tie up your boot laces, pull up your shin pads, and slick back your Grealish hair - let's dive in.

FIFA 22's Physical Launch Sales Are Down More Than 35% vs. Last Year

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via EA

FIFA 22's physical sales have dipped this year, but with the industry moving more and more towards digital, that shouldn't be a huge surprise. However, with FIFA typically one of the biggest hits with casual players who only pick up two or three games a year, it usually does exceedingly well in the boxed charts. With FIFA 21 making record profits, this feels like an indication of shifting trends in the industry rather than any damning statement on FIFA’s popularity.

Related: eFootball Is A Reminder Of Why FIFA Deserves Our Respect

The Loyalty Glitch Is Back

FIFA 22

The loyalty glitch is a quick way to make your players loyal - this helps them on the pitch, but mostly means you can complete more SBCs. It works the same way it did last year, but activating it is a little different. Check out our guide to see how the loyalty glitch works in FIFA 22.

FIFA 22 Ultimate Team Is Selling Anime Cosmetics

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FIFA Ultimate Team has always taken itself fairly seriously, but this year it's selling anime collectibles. Why? No idea. Be honest though, you want that pink anime statue sitting in the corner of your stadium while Jadon Sancho turns their left back inside out, don't you?

FIFA 22's First FUT Ones To Watch Revealed

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Breaking news: PSG are good at football. FUT's Ones To Watch focus on new summer signings, meaning Ronaldo, Lukaku, Grealish, and Shaqiri all feature. So do PSG's plethora of summer signings, including Messi, Hakimi, and Wijnaldum. Keep your eye on Leo Messi everyone, I reckon he might be quite good at this football lark.

FIFA 22 Players Have Decided Timo Werner, Ranked 132nd, Is The Game's Best Player

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via EA/Chelsea

Timo Werner is one of the best modern examples of 'form is temporary, class is permanent'. He had a rocky start to life at Chelsea, and carried that poor form into Euro 2020. However, despite constantly straying offside and missing some cast iron chances, there's definitely a quality player lurking in there, and hopefully a new, Lukaku led system will help him out. Anyway, he's the 132nd best player in FIFA 22, which feels about right. However, his mix of stats, lower initial value, and relative lack of rarity have made him a fan favourite. With 91 pace, 81 shooting, and 82 dribbling, Werner is a monster of a bargain.

EA Pulls Benjamin Mendy From FIFA 22 Ahead Of Rape Trial, Still Available In FUT

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via Eurogamer

Benjamin Mendy was patched out of FIFA 22 before launch, with the City defender awaiting a court date on several charges of rape and sexual assault. However, he was still in the game at early access a week earlier, meaning some players managed to pull his card in FIFA Ultimate Team. These cards have not been pulled, so Mendy is still in the Ultimate Team market, as well as in the Career Mode saves of anyone who began playing in early access.

Next: Create-A-Club Makes FIFA 22's Career Mode Worthwhile Again