FIFA, EA and Sony Computer Entertainment Europe has announced the new season of the FIFA Interactive World Cup (FIWC), the world's only official FIFA global football gaming competition.

The FIWC is a season-long tournament mirroring the real world of football in which competitors from all around the world can participate playing EA Sports FIFA 09 on the PS3.

This year marks the fifth FIWC season, which will kick off with the launch of FIFA 09 on 3 October. Players will be able to compete at one of 19 physical FIWC 09 Qualifier Events across the globe, kicking off in New Zealand on 25 October and covering countries all over the world, including Australia, Brazil, Czech Republic, France, Italy, South Africa and the US.

Players will also be able to compete for the 13 places available in the final for the best online players via the PlaStation Network. The 32 finalists will compete to be crowned FIFA Interactive World Player of the Year, rewarded with an invitation to the FIFA World Player Gala along with a USD 20,000 cash prize and an all new KIA 'Soul'.

Registration for participating in the online leg of the FIWC 09 tournament will take place directly inside the retail version of FIFA 09 on the PS3 in early October.