Publisher returns to the pitch after brief absence with 2006 FIFA World Cup on all platforms.

It’s been less than five months since Electronic Arts released FIFA 06 for current-gen consoles and handhelds, less than four months since FIFA 06: Road to FIFA World Cup launched alongside the Xbox 360, and less than a week since FIFA Street 2 hit stores. But EA’s not about to rest the most important license in the world’s most popular sport.

The publisher today announced the development of 2006 FIFA World Cup for the Xbox 360, Xbox, PlayStation 2, GameCube, GameBoy Advance, Nintendo DS, and PSP, all slated to arrive in April. The 2006 World Cup begins June 9 as host country Germany takes on Costa Rica in the first match.

New features for the World Cup edition of EA’s soccer sim include a dozen official stadiums that will be used in this year’s competition in Germany, as well as stadiums from each qualifying region. EA is also promising enhanced animations, with 127 national teams and the individual likenesses and playing styles of nearly 100 international soccer stars. The game also includes unlockable stars of years past, and a Global Challenge mode that tests how players can fare in recreations of classic World Cup moments.

They are doing it again like they did it previous World Cup in 2002 . I hope this time they improve there gameplay also and not just feature on Stadiums . But in my opinion i consider Pro Evolution Soccer better .