FIFA 18: 4 iconic stadiums from FIFA 17 we will not see in the game this year

FIFA 18 is just around the corner. The latest iteration of EA Sports' popular console video game series rolls out a month later on 29th September, and fans are already queuing up to get their hands on FIFA 18 as soon as it is released.

EA Sports, on their part, have done their bit to keep the FIFA 18 fans on their toes with frequent leaks and reveals, along with regular updates on new features. Gameplay dynamics and video graphics have annually undergone changes with every new instalment of FIFA, and this year is no different. Stadium graphics have always been one of FIFA's strengths over its rival production Pro Evolution Soccer (PES), and exclusive rights to legendary stadiums like Old Trafford and Santiago Bernabeu have made the game more popular among its fans.

This year as well, EA Sports have gone about tinkering with FIFA's stadium lineup but retained most of the fabled grounds of old like Anfield and San Siro. However, FIFA 18 will also miss out on a few grounds that have been exclusive to FIFA ever since reality mirroring stadiums became the vogue in the football gaming world. Here is the list of the big stadiums we will not see in FIFA 18:

#4 Estadio Mestalla

Valencia's iconic home ground will not be around in FIFA 18 as only two stadiums from Spain, Real Madrid's Santiago Bernabeu and Atletico Madrid's new Wanda Metropolitano, will feature in the game. Mestalla has been a FIFA ever-present ever since stadium graphics became more and more real around the mid-2000s, and its absence in FIFA 18 will be keenly felt. Its low, close structure is a special attraction for FIFA players, while playing international matches with Spain at Mestalla is always a mouth-watering prospect. All of that, however, will take a back seat this year as FIFA 18 will no longer have the iconic 55,000-capacity in its roster of stadiums.

#3 White Hart Lane

White Hart Lane will see no football action this season

Tottenham Hotspur have been forced to play their home matches this season at England's national stadium Wembley, and that is because of the fact that they are rebuilding their erstwhile home ground White Hart Lane. The Lane is one of the most iconic Premier League grounds, aong Anfield, Old Trafford, Stamford Bridge and Goodison Park, to not miss a single Premier League season until this year. It will be sorely missed in FIFA 18, as in real life. However, unlike the next stadium on this list, White Hart Lane will soon be making its FIFA comeback.

#2 Estadio Vicente Calderon

Vicente Calderon's unique structure will be sorely missed in FIFA 18

Atletico Madrid have, this season, moved to their state-of-the-art 68,000-capacity Wanda Metropolitano Stadium from the legendary confines of the Vicente Calderon. The now-decrepit old home of Atletico had a quirky structure that created a noisy atmosphere and FIFA captured it to perfection in its previous editions. However, the cauldron of Vicente Calderon will no longer be part of FIFA, much like in real life. As Atletico try to move on from their old fortress, FIFA fans will also have to adapt to life without the Calderon, which, unlike White Hart Lane, will never return.

#1 Signal Iduna Park

Borussia Dortmund's Yellow Wall will not be part of FIFA 18

For fans of the famous Yellow Wall in the Südtribüne of Borussia Dortmund's Signal Iduna Park, FIFA 18 will be a major disappointment. The Westfalenstadion club penned a four-year deal with PES last year and hence, their iconic home ground will not be represented in its full glory in FIFA 18. The Signal Iduna Park is an intimidating ground for BVB's opponents in real life, and its status as one of the most difficult ground to play at was well represented in previous editions of FIFA; die Schwarzgelben always score goals at the ground. Like the other three stadiums, the Westfalenstadion will also be much missed in FIFA 18.