A brand-new FIFA game was announced recently. A FREE, fully-featured FIFA game, playable on just about any PC. For free. Did we mention the free thing already?

FIFA Online is a whole new way to enjoy the world’s most popular football videogame. It comes stacked with all the goodness you’d expect from EA SPORTS - 30 licensed leagues, 500 teams and 15,000 real-world players, as well as the 2010 FIFA World Cup with all 32 finalists.

A simple download via the FIFA Online website, the game is designed with the FIFA 10 game engine from the ground up - it’ll run on the most modest of laptops, while scaling all the way to full-blown visual awesomeness on sophisticated gaming rigs.

Read the full announcement of FIFA Online - and see the first screenshots - over here.

But reading about it isn’t enough. We want you to join in. Right now!

The first closed beta testing of FIFA Online begins on 3 February 2010 and will grow to include more and more players over a four-month period. During that time, those who are involved will be able to directly influence the development of the game and feed back on their experience.

The first stage of the beta will feature a 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa tournament mode, while online match-ups and a League Mode will be revealed at the second stage, enabling fans to manage and compete as their favourite football club. Ultimately, FIFA Online will enable football fans and gamers to build their favourite club into their dream team by developing or acquiring players, upgrading skills, and getting unique apparel by earning in-game currency to acquire items.

If you’re a football fan or a FIFA fan - or both! - this is your chance to get stuck right in. Click the big blue button below to register.