REVIEW: ‘EA Sports FC 26’ Is Another Step Forward

EA Sports FC 26 is finally here, and the latest iteration of the yearly soccer franchise aims to take the series to new heights. EA has listened to player feedback with EA Sports FC 26, and there are plenty of changes that keep pushing the game forward, although there are still some more tweaks that need to be made.

The biggest change in EA Sports FC 26 is the new “competitive” and “authentic” game modes. Competitive is the more arcade-style of play that fans expect in modes like Ultimate Team, allowing for faster-paced action and higher-scoring games.

Authentic is a slower, more methodical approach. It’s more in line with the single-player experience of years past. There are smaller tweaks that can be adjusted, like how the wind affects the ball, but those are the two general setups that players can choose from.

Defending and goalkeeping are much improved this year, requiring more attention offensively.

These options enable players to enjoy their preferred experience across various game modes in EA Sports FC 26. Modes outside of Ultimate Team are no longer stuck with a slower experience, making it easy for players to get better at their preferred style of gameplay. Ultimate Team and online play are still locked to the competitive setting, as they were specifically designed for that purpose. However, being able to use that preset outside of online play is a massive plus.

Defending and goalkeeping have been improved, creating a more realistic experience. Gone are the days when a player can easily drag a defender out of position or smash in a goal from a bad angle. This forces players to be more strategic with how they attack, paying attention to things like a player’s preferred foot and the quality of the shot angle.

If that sounds daunting, it is much more intuitive than it sounds. Players move more realistically, making it easier to predict their actions. UI updates also make it easier to view a player’s stats, such as skill move ratings and preferred foot, allowing you to quickly learn new players without needing to spend time navigating menus. These changes work in tandem to make the experience more realistic and challenging without alienating newer players.

Ultimate Team is a bit more friendly towards casual players in EA Sports FC 26.

Ultimate Team has also been significantly updated, making it a more friendly experience for casual players. There is a clear delineation between competitive and casual modes, with more casual options available for players who prefer not to compete against top-level competition. This also keeps players from feeling the need to spend more money.

Manager career mode is mostly the same, but it does introduce Live Challenges. There are a variety of challenges to choose from, such as promoting a club or staying in the top five of a major league. Players can choose from shorter challenges if they are crunched for time or more long-term ones if they really want to dig in. These options are great because they introduce a new dynamic to the typical manager career mode.

Managers also move around clubs and observe how their preferred tactics evolve over time. While you might not see Pep Guardiola playing a 4-4-2 in MLS anytime soon, the fact that CPU managers feel like a living, breathing part of the game is a massive improvement. It brings the world to life, allowing players to get even more immersed in their save.

There is an incredible number of players and club teams in EA Sports FC 26.

Archetypes make the Player Career and Club modes more exciting by letting players have more control over how their created character develops. Every player has a unique identity that influences how their stats change over time. This is a much better system than generic stat increases, and it brings EA Sports FC 26 more in line with other modern sports games.

EA Sports FC 26 introduces a new level of real-life licenses, enhancing the overall experience. With over 20,000 players, 750 teams, and 35 leagues, alongside licenses for top European club competitions like the Champions League, the world is only enhanced, allowing players to live out their soccer dreams with fewer limits than ever.

It would be nice to see more international teams, however, since there aren’t even enough to hold a full 48-team World Cup like the United States, Mexico, and Canada will be hosting in 2026. There is a ton of detail when it comes to club teams, but the lack of more available nations is quite disappointing, especially heading into a World Cup year.

If EA Sports FC 26 listens to player feedback, the series will continue to get better and better.

There are still a few areas where EA Sports FC 26 could improve. Searching for players in Ultimate Team can be a chore, and the results aren’t always accurate. Heading the ball with a tall, physical attacker in the box is overpowered as well and needs to be balanced. Menus can occasionally hang up, causing the game to crash. None of these issues is enough to ruin the experience, though, especially since they can all be patched fairly quickly.

That’s where EA Sports FC 26 needs to be proactive if it wants to truly be successful. Listening to player feedback is essential, and if they can continue to evolve over the next year, there is no reason to doubt that EA Sports FC 26 can reach its full potential with some slight updates. 

There is plenty to enjoy in EA Sports FC 26 for soccer fans of all backgrounds, creating a truly excellent experience. Minor changes going forward will only help turn a very good game into something special.

EA Sports FC 26 is available now on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2, and PC.