EA Sports has revealed that the next game in its FIFA franchise will be a free downloadable game called FIFA Online.

Beginning February 3, European football fans across Europe are invited to register to participate in the closed beta development and testing of FIFA Online by visiting http://fifa-online.easports.com . More than 20,000 fans will be involved in the first phase of closed beta testing and then, during open beta in June, anyone can join in and give feedback directly to the game’s developers through the discussion forums.

FIFA Online will be released around the world in stages. The English language version will be available to all football fans in June, 2010. Over the next 12 to 24 months FIFA Online will launch in other languages across Europe and then in North America. Non-English speaking football fans will also be able to participate in the development process of these games.

Feature-wise, FIFA Online will offer 30 licensed leagues, 500 clubs and more than 15,000 players. During the first closed beta stage the game will feature a 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa tournament mode and a control system that uses the mouse only. At the second stage of closed beta, the game will feature a League Mode that enables fans to manage and compete as their favourite football club, and the ability to play online matches. You'll be able to build your favourite club into a dream team by developing or acquiring players, upgrading skills, and getting unique apparel by earning in-game currency to acquire items or through micro-transactions.

So, not entirely free then.