All You Need to Know About FC 26
Alberto Civale and Albert Atri
After a whole year of waiting, players can finally get their hands on the newest and most popular soccer game of the year, FC 26! It brings an exciting new chapter to players who like playing soccer video games.
FC 26 Release Info
North America
For people on the East Coast, EA Sports FC 26 was released on September 18, 2025, 8:00 AM, as Early Access for people who pre-ordered FC 26 Ultimate Edition. FC 26 is going to be fully released on September 25, 2025, 8:00 AM, on all platforms such as PlayStation 4 and 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PC and Nintendo Switch. Also, people on the West Coast, EA Sports FC 26 was released on September 18, 2025, 5:00 AM, as Early Access for people who pre-ordered FC 26 Ultimate Edition. FC 26 fully released on September 25, 2025, 5:00 AM, on all platforms such as PlayStation 4 and 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PC and Nintendo Switch.
FC 26 Price Options
EA Sports FC 26 Standard Edition costs $69.99 and FC 26 Ultimate Edition costs $99.99, but later the prices will decrease and become more affordable because of deals done by companies such as Christmas reductions or black Friday deals or holiday specials as well.
First Campaign
After early access ends FC 26 will add Cornerstones which will change players with teams that they’re built around. For example, dependable leaders, long-term signings, and young talents. FC 26 will be adjusting the power curve of shots after hearing much players’ feedback. They will slow down the curve and gradually add more upgrades.
What’s Being Added
These changes have been made due to past feedback from past games or new ideas created by game developers.
· Gameplay Presets: Two distinct settings, "Competitive" for faster, direct action and "Authentic" for a more realistic, tactical feel, change how the game plays.
· AI Improvements: Smarter AI for positioning, defensive awareness, and attacking runs makes CPU-controlled players more natural and tactical.
· New Physicality: A "Contested Box Out" mechanic allows stronger players to shield opponents and gain space.
· New Skill Moves: New skill moves, including the explosive step over, have been added.
· Goalkeeper AI: Sweeper keeper logic makes the goalkeeper's actions more tactical based on team shape.
· Tournaments: These will be high-stakes knockout competitions, offering unique tournament-specific rewards and appearing periodically throughout the game's lifecycle. The classic knockout format is returning, with specific entry requirements and rules for each tournament, and they will be a significant addition to keep the game fresh.
What Stayed the Same
Base Items
Later into the year, cards like rare gold, icons, and heroes will become better to set the benchmark in top squads, meaning the older cards can become better against the newer squads. So, let's say if a card is 80 overall at the start it has the possibility to increase the overall in future updates or it can become a special like Team of the Week, Shapeshifters, Heroes, etc.
Ultimate Team
Ultimate team: The mode in which you can gather players from across the world and assemble them into one final team. It includes many fun game modes such as:
· FUT Champions: Players can earn rewards for reaching different ranks, including various player packs which can be earned.
· Division Rivals: Reward categories include coins, player picks 1 of 3 82+ Rare Gold Players Pick, consumable packs, and Mega Packs.
· Squad Battles: Higher ranks provide more valuable rewards, such as larger amounts of coins, multiple 84+ Rare Gold Players, and Rare Consumable Packs.
· Live Streams: Watching specific hours of official EA SPORTS FC livestreams can earn you Gold Players Packs and Rare Gold Packs.
· Objectives: Completing in-game objectives can reward you with player packs and Evolution consumables, such as the "The Club is Yours" objectives.
Other modes
Along with Ultimate Team, there are other popular enjoyable modes such as: player career mode, manager mode, manager live, and pro clubs.
Player Career Mode
A mode in which you can become a player from across the world or even create a player. You can play offline on any soccer team of your choice. Many users enjoy this mode as you can experience yourself as a player in the real football world.
Manager Mode
If you do not want to become a player, you can become a manager. In manager mode, you take the place of a manager in either a real football team, or you can make one. As a manager, you must maintain the happiness of your players, the success of your team, and even your football academy!
Manager Live
Like manager mode, you become a manager, but you don't stay in one team, you take objectives like winning the league for a certain team. The point of this mode is to be a manager but also do fun objectives at the same time.
Pro Clubs
The mode in which you and your friends can become your own players and unite in one team. And just like in real life, you can play league matches with your friends. You can upgrade your card and become the dominator of the pro clubs league.
What’s Being Removed
To start off, Timed Finishing is being removed, this feature allowed players to press the shoot button twice for perfect timing of the shot. Next, Player Locking which allowed players to control a single player for an extended period. Finally, Players who transferred to unsupported leagues like Neymar.