FIFA: Road to World Cup 98 is a football simulation game developed by EA Canada and published by EA Sports. Released in 1997, it supports multiple platforms including Windows, PlayStation, Nintendo 64, Sega Saturn, Super Nintendo, Mega Drive and Game Boy.
As the fifth installment in the FIFA series, this game has been significantly improved in many aspects. It features an optimized graphics engine, player and team customization options, 16 real stadiums, and an improved AI system. The most notable feature is the "Road to World Cup" mode, where players can choose from all 172 FIFA-registered national teams at the time and experience the entire process from qualifiers to the World Cup final.
The cover star of the game varies by region, including David Beckham from the UK, Roy Lassiter from the US, David Ginola from France, Paolo Maldini from Italy, Andreas Möller from Germany, and Raúl from Spain.
In terms of music, the game uses "Song 2" by British band Blur as its theme song. It also includes several tracks by The Crystal Method, such as "More", "Now Is the Time", "Keep Hope Alive" and "Busy Child", as well as "Hugga Bear" by Electric Skychurch, creating an exciting gaming atmosphere for players.
FIFA: Road to World Cup 98 received widespread acclaim upon release and is considered a major advancement in the series. Its realism, rich content and innovative gameplay made it one of the most popular football games of its time.