(29 August 2007 6:00 pm)

MUMBAI: Soccer's governing body Fifa has announced that its interactive World Cup has got a new format and calendar for the fourth edition which kicks off in October.

Fifa has teamed up with EA and new partner Sony PlayStation to offer contestants around the globe a unique opportunity to experience the Fifa World Cup as players. The new tournament schedule has been extended to run concurrently with the European football season.

From October 2007 to May 2008, players from all over the globe will play EA Sports Fifa 2008 on the PS3 network online or at more than 20 qualifying events in an attempt to claim one of the 32 spots at the grand final at the Sony Center in Berlin in May 2008.

Players interested in taking part in the contest to become the next Fifa Interactive World Player of the Year - a feat rewarded with an invitation to the Fifa World Player Gala along with $ 20,000 in prize money - will find all the relevant information on www.Fifa.com/FIWC.

Focussing on the qualifiers and the final tournament itself, the official website will once again offer the most extensive coverage of all the action on and off the virtual field.

Fifa executive committee member Chuck Blazer says, "The Fifa Interactive World Cup is a great way to bring together football gamers and the wider football community. With the introduction of the new format, we have taken yet another big step towards establishing the FIFA Interactive World Cup as the world's leading football gaming competition, just like the Fifa World Cup is for football on the field of play."

He stresses that the atmosphere during the Fifa Interactive World Cup games comes close to attending a real football match, such is the level of passion and support on display.

The inauguration of this annual competition in 2004 marked a milestone in the history of Fifa. This initiative to enter the virtual arena was the first of its kind for an international sports body. Last year 5,547 players from all over the world competed for glory in the Fifa Interactive World Cup.

Almost 30,000 qualifying matches were played and 65,000 goals were scored in 63 off and online competitions involving all six confederations.