EA FC 26 guide

FC 26 screenshots

Game summary

EA Sports FC 26, launching worldwide on September 26, 2025, is the third installment in the EA Sports FC series. It brings major improvements across gameplay, modes, and presentation:

• Gameplay Overhaul: Two distinct gameplay presets—Competitive (fast-paced, responsive, for online modes like Ultimate Team and Clubs) and Authentic (realistic football pace, physics, for offline modes like Career).
• Gameplay Refinements: Tighter dribbling, smarter AI, improved goalkeeper animations, restored low-driven shots, and enhanced tactical HUD elements.
• Licenses & Content: Over 20,000 licensed players, 750+ clubs and national teams, 35+ leagues—including exclusive UEFA and CONMEBOL competitions.
• New Systems & Progression: Enhanced Archetypes for Player Career and Clubs, with XP and perks. Live Events, Tournaments, Gauntlets, and a revamped FUT experience with Evolutions updates, match outcome improvements, and Rivals & Champions overhauls. Career Mode adds Manager Live Challenges, deeper simulation, Origin Stories, and loan flexibility.
• Clubs Mode: Expanded Facilities system including AI Facilities, Your own Ultimate team card, improved Be-A-Goalkeeper experience in Clubs Rush with new controls and UI.
• Visual & Accessibility Enhancements: New PlayStyles like “Precision Finish” and “Aerial Presence,” dynamic environments, Google Earth-style stadium intros, improved audio, high-contrast and subtitle options.

Early access begins on Friday, September 19, 2025 for those who pre-order the Ultimate Edition.

All Ultimate Team changes in EA FC 26

Trailer

• FUT runs exclusively on Competitive Gameplay for consistent responsiveness.
• Live Events: Dynamic, customizable match formats (house rules, matchmaking, entry criteria).
• Tournaments & Gauntlets: Return of knockout-style tournaments and new ‘Gauntlets’ mode.
• Rivals & Champions Overhaul: No playoffs, replaced with direct qualification, bounties, and limited checkpoints.
• Match Outcomes: Players now win if opponent quits or disconnects in a draw.
• Evolutions: Goalkeepers can evolve; cosmetic layering allows upgrades without losing existing visuals.
• New “Challengers” Weekend Competition: A second-tier competition for lower-division players.

For more details, check out the deep dive here.

All Career Mode changes in EA FC 26

Trailer

• Manager Live Challenges: Dynamic weekly/monthly challenges mirroring real-world scenarios.
• Unlockable Icons & Heroes: Earn through Season Pass to include past legends in your squad.
• Deeper Simulation: Option to simulate up to five extra leagues in Manager Career setup.
• Authentic Gameplay: Default preset for Career modes, enhancing realism and team behavior.
• Origin Stories: Two new narrative arcs—promoted academy player and goalkeeper-focused journey; four total, including returning stories.
• Custom Story Options: Customize player’s age, personality, archetype; includes “Clean Slate” mode.
• Loan Flexibility: Ability to loan out newly purchased players.

For more details, check out the deep dive here.

All Clubs changes in EA FC 26

Trailer

• Be-A-Goalkeeper (BAG) Revamp:
  • New controls and assistance levels.
  • BAG PlayStyles and enhanced UI/audio.
  • BAG playable in Clubs Rush mode, requiring at least one GK in the lobby—option to disable “Find GK”.
• AI Facilities System: Shared resource budget between AI and Player Facility upgrades.
• Multiple Club Affiliations: Players can affiliate with up to three clubs simultaneously.
• Live Events in Clubs: Dynamic Rush gameplay, live challenges, and varied rules and rewards.

For more details, check out the deep dive here.

All Gameplay Changes

Trailer

• Dual Presets: Competitive vs. Authentic tailored for different mode experiences.
• Mechanics Enhancements:
  • Tighter dribbling, smarter passing, more realistic physical contact and rebounds.
  • Improved AI positioning, smarter defending, fatigue effects, and more dynamic play.
  • Restored low-driven shots, refined goalkeeper behaviors and animations.
  • New Skill Moves: Explosive Stepover, Advanced Heel Flick, Elastico Variation.
  • Tackling feels fairer through improved ball control after tackles.
• Visual and Tactical Enhancements: Better stadium environments, lighting, overlays, foot preference indicators, and HUD enhancements for tactics.
• PlayStyles & Player Roles: New additions like “Precision Finish” and “Aerial Presence.”
• Online Responsiveness Improvements: Reduced input delay, optimized connections, smoother animations.

Now, if you’re wondering about the other game modes in EA SPORTS FC 26, these are all playable this year:

All Modes

• Ultimate Team (FUT)
  • Build your dream squad from players around the world, past and present. Earn or buy player cards, customize your team, and compete in Squad Battles, Division Rivals, and FUT Champions. The mode includes live content tied to real-world football events, special promos, and seasonal objectives.
• Career Mode
  • Play as a manager or player across multiple seasons. In Manager Career, control transfers, tactics, youth development, and club growth. In Player Career, create or take control of a footballer and shape their path to stardom through training, performance, and career-defining choices.
• Clubs Mode
  • Formerly Pro Clubs, this mode lets you create a virtual pro and join a club with friends or others online. Compete in league seasons, customize your stadium and kits, and progress your player’s attributes through match performance.
• Rush
  • A fast-paced, small-sided football mode inspired by street football and Volta gameplay, but integrated into Clubs. Rush removes goalkeepers, creating intense, end-to-end action in tighter spaces.
• Kick Off
  • Instantly jump into a match offline or locally against AI or friends. Includes match type variations such as House Rules, UEFA Champions League fixtures, and real-life rivalries with authentic commentary.
• Tournaments
  • Play standalone competitions with league or knockout formats, using licensed teams or custom squads. Includes domestic cups, continental tournaments, and the FIFA Club World Cup experience.
• Online Seasons
  • Take any licensed club online against real players in 1v1 league-style competition. Climb through divisions by earning points from wins and draws while avoiding relegation.
• Co-op Seasons
  • Partner with a friend online to control the same team in Seasons mode. Both players share the responsibility for success in league progression against other co-op duos.
• Online Friendlies
  • Challenge friends directly in custom online matches. Track head-to-head records and try different clubs, formations, and tactics in a casual competitive setting.