: For the first time, the ball was treated as an independent object rather than being "glued" to the player's feet, making dribbling and trapping more difficult at high speeds. Featured Leagues and Teams
: Using the right analog stick (on consoles), players could perform feints, skill moves, and one-touch passes.
: The European cover featured Roberto Carlos (Real Madrid), Ryan Giggs (Manchester United), and Edgar Davids (Juventus). In the US, Landon Donovan appeared solo.
: A revamped system for free kicks and corners allowed for manual aiming and adding spin to the ball.
: Italian midfielder Matteo Brighi (Parma) surprisingly held the highest rating in the game at 97. Game Modes FIFA Soccer 2003 (USA)