EA Sports FC 26, now out on all major platforms, marks the next chapter in EA’s long-running football saga and the third entry since the iconic FIFA badge was dropped.
While the past few editions mostly felt like routine passes across the same pitch, FC 26 adds just enough flair to make things feel a little different this season. It doesn’t reinvent the structure, but what EA has done is tinker with the heart of it all: the gameplay.
This year introduces two new styles Authentic and Competitive. The former leans into realism, slowing down the tempo and mimicking the kind of football you actually watch on a Sunday night. The latter is your familiar fast-paced, high-press, arcade-style FC experience the one most players will default to when chasing double-digit scorelines after a tough day at work. They’re not game-changing additions, but they do give the experience a much-needed breath of fresh air, pretty much like finally getting to play on a new pitch, even if the rules stay the same.
New Gameplay Styles
The biggest change this year is, without a doubt, the gameplay. So, let’s start with that. EA Sports FC 26 introduces two new styles Authentic and Competitive and yes, they’re pretty much what they sound like. Authentic slows the game down and leans into realism, the kind of football you’d actually watch on a Sunday night, where every pass feels earned and every mistake costs you possession and probably the game too. Competitive is the opposite end of that spectrum a faster, high-press, end-to-end affair that most players will instinctively pick when they just want to hammer through opponents after a long day. It’s the classic FC style experience you are used to.
You can switch between these in offline modes like Career or Manager Mode. You cannot switch between the styles in Online games. EA insists that Authentic gameplay was built after listening to community feedback. I’ll take that with a pinch of salt because it sounds more like a marketing line than a genuine design philosophy. Still, I’m glad it exists, because this is the first time in years the on-pitch experience actually feels different.
Authentic gameplay has a noticeable weight to it. There’s a bit of rubber-banding when you move with the ball, and that instant pace burst from players like Mbappe or Vini Jr. isn’t quite as overpowered as before. Defenders hold better lines, and you can’t just fling the ball diagonally from one wing to the other and expect a clean break. It forces you to think, to build through shorter passes and control the tempo which, honestly, is how most real matches play out. It has a learning curve since our brains are hardwired to play in the typical arcade-style football. That said, once you catch the rhythm, you won’t face many problems.
The only odd choice here is the inclusion of Power Shots. Having the L1 + R1 shot mechanic in a mode built around realism feels like a strange decision. Authentic is best played when you are tired of thrashing teams left, right, and centre. Competitive gameplay, meanwhile, feels familiar.
While this isn’t exactly part of the gameplay, EA has added a neat little improvement for online players. You now get better network icons and connection graphs during matches, showing real-time ping values and stability in a cleaner, more visual format. It’s a small touch, but a genuinely useful one. You can set it to always on, contextual, or turn it off completely if you prefer a cleaner screen.
Defending and Goalkeeper Changes
Defending has become more physical, and goalkeeping more unpredictable in a good way. Toe-pokes during jockeying are sharper and more aggressive, so you can’t just dribble aimlessly in tight spaces without being punished, especially when playing against seasoned centre-backs. Slide tackles, too, feel much more deliberate. But, sometimes defenders like Alaba or Dean Huijsen still pull off slide tackles that cover more ground than they realistically should. It looks dramatic, sure, but also a bit arcade-ish. This is something that, if not fixed, will most likely be exploited in online matches. But then there are moments when someone like Camavinga times a challenge so perfectly that it feels lifted straight from a real match, right down to the recovery stride, which has happened at least twice during my games. That said, timing is still crucial when it comes to defending; a mistimed tackle will still cost you a yellow card or even a penalty if you get too eager.
Goalkeepers are perhaps the most satisfying and annoying (depending on which side you are on) upgrade this year. With almost every company out there implementing AI, EA has also mentioned that with AI, goalkeepers are getting smarter. They finally stop spilling every save straight to the striker, as if passing out soan papdi during Diwali. Most parries now go for corners or throw-ins, and it makes the flow of play far less frustrating. This was a major pain point in online matches because, despite an excellent save, you would somehow end up conceding a goal. It’s obviously not very consistent and totally depends on your keeper and the opponent’s position, but it’s good to see that this was finally implemented.
Manager Mode Gets New Fancy Stuff
Career Mode still has plenty to keep you busy, and it continues to be one of the most enjoyable ways to experience FC 26. It’s the same familiar grind where you start small, build your player, and chase the dream. Even though EA hasn’t changed much here, it’s still a solid mode that does what it’s meant to.
Manager Mode, however, gets a proper refresh this year, while still keeping the basics, pretty much basics. The new addition, called Manager Live, introduces a set of real-world challenges managers face during a season. You’ll find them in the Manager Live hub, where different objectives pop up depending on the club and the situation. Some of these are intense, like Road to Glory, which pushes you to earn promotion before the end of the month or win the league within a set time. Others are lighter and just ask you to finish in the top four.
There are, however, a few restrictions that come with it. You can’t just sim through the season, and certain transfers are off the table because they don’t fit the club’s vision. So if you’re planning to put Ronaldo, Mbappe, and Haaland in Arsenal’s front line, that dream dies here. It’s a bit limiting at times, but also surprisingly fun once you start seeing it as part of the challenge. It gives the mode a sense of purpose that the regular setup sometimes lacks.
The classic Manager Mode also gets a few smart touches this year. EA has added Unexpected Events, and they live up to the name. One week, your star striker might pick up an injury, the next, a midfielder could be homesick, or your club could be sold to new owners. It brings an unpredictability that finally makes the mode real. You’re forced to react, adjust your tactics, and make quick decisions instead of running through the same motions every season. It’s easily one of the better upgrades EA’s made in years.
Rush Mode is Just As Fun
Ultimate Team is still here, and it continues to be the same old cash grab for EA just like last year, and the years before that. The mode is massive, yes, but the business side of it still overshadows the fun. You can grind your way up without spending money, but it’s still a painfully slow process that constantly tempts you to open your wallet. Nothing new there.
Rush Mode, though, is still my favourite way to unwind with friends. Introduced last year, it continues to be the most chaotic and entertaining thing in FC 26. That said, the same old lobby issues still remain, which means you still can’t pick a server for a better ping.
This time, EA has added goalkeeper control, which means if you have a group of five, no one has to sit out waiting for their turn. Everyone can get involved even if that means someone ends up playing as the keeper. It’s a smart addition when you’re playing with friends, but it can be a nightmare in public lobbies. Randoms love chaos, and when they get control of the keeper, they usually spend more time charging at strikers than actually defending. Predictability goes out the window, and you start missing the calm consistency of AI goalkeepers. However, you can disable searching for a human goalkeeper when playing with strangers.
PlayStyles also get a decent revamp this year. You can now pick from traits like Precision Header, Aerial Fortress, Enforcer, and a bunch of others that actually change how your player behaves in-game. It gives the mode a little more personality, especially when you’re creating your Rush character. I went with the Zlatan Ibrahimović-style archetype just to see if it could pull off those classic target-man moments, and to be fair, it does.
Should You Buy EA Sports FC 26?
EA Sports FC 26 doesn’t reinvent football, and honestly, it doesn’t need to. What it does instead is tweak the right things to make the experience feel a little more grounded, a little more alive. The new gameplay styles give you more control over how you want to play, defending finally feels rewarding, and modes like Manager Live and Rush add the kind of unpredictability that keeps you coming back.
That said, the age-old lobby problems are still here you still can’t select your own server for a smoother, more playable ping. The menus also continue to feel sluggish, especially when navigating through Ultimate Team or squad screens, which breaks the flow more often than it should. And of course, Ultimate Team remains the same old cash grind dressed in a new jersey.
FC 26 still carries some of EA’s bad habits, but when it works, it really works. It feels like the first step towards something bigger, not just another rebrand or patch in disguise.
If you’ve been sitting out the last few seasons, this might finally be the one worth lacing up for again. But if you’re planning to pick it up early, I’d say hold off for a bit. EA almost always drops the price within a few months, and by the end of the year, you’ll likely get the same experience for a much better deal.