Despite a whole host of new modes added to the franchise over the years, FIFA’s Career Mode remains as popular as ever, and plenty of new features have been added to the FIFA 23 version. There are 700 teams to start a new career with, including some of the biggest names around such as Liverpool, Manchester City, Real Madrid, and Bayern Munich, to name just a few.
However, stepping away from the bigger clubs and starting a new career with a lesser-known team can be even more satisfying. The EFL Championship -- England’s second tier on the professional pyramid -- is highly-regarded as one of the most open and competitive leagues in the world, and that certainly transitions over to FIFA 23. From Norwich City to Luton Town, here are the best Championship clubs to start Career Mode.
7 Burnley
After dropping out of the Premier League last season, Burnley has found themselves back in the Championship on FIFA 23. With Manchester City legend Vincent Kompany at the helm, the Clarets are looking for an instant return to England’s top flight.
Players looking for a big budget in the Championship should look no further than Burnley. Almost $25m is available in funds to bolster the squad, and they already have several star players within their ranks, including Ashley Westwood and Charlie Taylor. Burnley is a great choice to kick off a new career with.
6 Sheffield United
Sheffield United went close last season, missing out on a place at Wembley Stadium after losing in the play-off semi-finals. Before a ball was kicked this term, the Blades were many people’s favorites to secure promotion back to the Premier League.
With John Egan at the back, Sander Berge in midfield, and Oli McBurnie in attack, Sheffield United has a strong spine. Add a few faces in the transfer market, and Career Mode players will no doubt enjoy using Sheffield United in FIFA 23, especially with a solid budget of almost $20m to spend.
5 Swansea City
Swansea City makes up 50% of the Welsh representatives in the Championship. Bitter rivals Cardiff City are the other team from Wales currently plying their trade in England’s second tier. After a few steady years in the Championship, the Swans are looking to get back to the Premier League.
Swansea’s possession stats are off the charts, and players who like to keep the ball in FIFA will have a field day playing with Swansea. Promotion to the top tier will be the aim, and City have a solid budget (around $14m) to work with.
4 Luton Town
Luton Town were one of the surprise packages in the Championship last term, with the popular Nathan Jones guiding the Hatters to the play-offs against all odds. After going close last year, Luton will be looking for a top-six finish once again.
Replicating Luton Town’s real success in FIFA 23 will take some doing, as the Bedfordshire club, who play their games at 10,000-capacity Kenilworth Road, have one of the smallest Championship budgets on the game at under $10m. However, taking Luton to the Premier League in Career Mode would be a great achievement for players who like a challenge.
3 Blackpool
For those looking for a different type of test, keeping Blackpool in the Championship and building a solid squad along the way is an exciting prospect. This team stayed up in their first year back in the second tier last term, but the Tangerines have been tipped to struggle this time around.
Over a decade has passed since Blackpool's solitary year in the Premier League, so getting the Seasiders back to the promised land would be a real feat. A budget of just under $4m and an overall rating of 67 will make things tough, but Blackpool have defied the odds before.
2 Watford
Watford still has a Premier League squad of players, with no fewer than 20 of their stars rated over 70. As a team, the Hornets have a FIFA 23 rating of 73, making them the highest-rated Championship club on the game. Naturally, Watford would make a great Championship side for players to start a new Career Mode with.
Watford has a budget of $27.5m to spend on new players, which is the largest in the division. The Hertfordshire club have yo-yoed from the Premier League and Championship in recent years, and promotion is the main aim again. Players taking control of Watford on FIFA 23 will be looking for the league title.
1 Norwich City
Like Burnley and Watford, who were also relegated last term, Norwich City has one of the biggest transfer budgets in the Championship. They had a season to forget in the top tier last term, but the Canaries are searching for an instant return.
With $25m at the players’ disposal, automatic promotion is a real possibility with Norwich City. They also have a top squad of players, with veteran goalkeeper Tim Krul being their highest-rated player at 76, and Teemu Pukki coming in at 75. 72-rated Norwich could be a joy to play with in the Championship on FIFA 23.