Alex Morgan to grace FIFA 16 cover

NEW YORK, July 20 (UPI) -- For the first time in the history of the United States edition of EA Sports' FIFA video game, a woman will be on the cover.

The winner of the honor is Alex Morgan, who helped lead the U.S. women's national team to World Cup gold this year.

"It is an incredible honor to be one of the first women featured on the cover of EA SPORTS 'FIFA,'" Morgan said in a statement. "I know people all over the world play this game and I'm really excited that "FIFA 16" is putting such an important spotlight on women's soccer. And now to share the cover with today's greatest player is surreal."

Morgan shares the cover of FIFA 16 with international soccer superstar Lionel Messi. While Morgan and Messi will be profiled on games sold in the U.S., Candadian captain Christine Sinclair will be on covers sold in Canada.

EA announced earlier this year that the game will now allow users to play with women's teams as well as men's teams, for the first time in the game's history.

"As soon as we knew Women's National Teams were joining FIFA 16, we immediately recognized that Christine and Alex would be the perfect cover athletes based on their accomplishments and what they represent for their respective countries and the sport of women's soccer," said David Pekush, senior manager of North America marketing for EA Sports, in a statement.

FIFA 16 will be available on Sept. 22, 2015.