UFL developer Strikerz has confirmed layoffs affecting 20% of its workforce following failed FIFA licensing negotiations

Strikerz, the studio behind football game UFL, has confirmed it is cutting approximately 20% of its workforce after the game failed to gain the traction the company had hoped for and negotiations to secure a FIFA licensing deal broke down.

The details:

• Strikerz confirmed the layoffs affect around 20% of the company in a statement to Insider Gaming, after it was previously reported that the cuts would affect half of its workforce.
• The failure of negotiations to sign a licensing agreement with FIFA is cited as a key trigger. Strikerz had reportedly been working toward an in-game event tied to the 2026 World Cup, and the collapse of those talks removed a significant commercial opportunity at a critical moment for the game's growth.
• UFL launched at the end of 2024 as a free-to-play alternative to EA FC, positioning itself as a challenger in a market dominated by a single franchise. Its inability to break through as intended is what ultimately prompted the restructuring.
• In a statement, Strikerz said the studio "continues to operate as usual, fully supporting its existing products, investing in the future of the UFL franchise, and delivering on its planned roadmap across all platforms," adding that the cuts should not be interpreted as a lack of commitment to the game.
• Initial reports had suggested more than half of the company's workforce had been let go, a figure Strikerz has since disputed.