REVIEW – Years go by, but EA’s legendary football series — long known as FIFA — continues to dominate the sales charts, even as many players keep criticizing its new features and gameplay direction. This year, the publisher finally decided to shake things up: with new systems, fresh ideas, and bold design choices, EA aims to breathe new life into the franchise. The NBA 2K-inspired Archetype system in Clubs mode, the introduction of two distinct gameplay styles, and a Career mode with Football Manager 26-level depth all promise to take EA FC 26 to the next level. But does it truly succeed in reinventing itself?

In a market where EA FC, eFootball, and the battle for licensing rights clash head-on, creating a football simulation that authentically features as many official clubs and brands as possible remains a minefield. Unfortunately, this constant fight often comes at the expense of immersion. This year, for instance, the Italian Serie A remains incomplete: both Milan giants — Inter and AC Milan — are again unlicensed, as are Atalanta Bergamo and Lazio. That means we’re once again stuck with fictional names like Milano and Lombardia and must settle for generic kits, just as we have in previous installments. On the bright side, the legendary La Beaujoire stadium has joined the roster of French venues, alongside Bollaert-Delelis, Parc des Princes, the Vélodrome, and Decathlon Arena. A handful of new player models — some excellent, others less so — also make an appearance. Still, EA Sports FC 26 remains stingy when it comes to licensed leagues beyond Europe’s top five. Liga MX is still absent, and the women’s game remains underrepresented, despite the addition of the revamped Women’s Champions League.

Realistic Gameplay: Slower, But Far More Authentic

“We listened to the players.” — that’s the motto the developers chose when setting out to refresh the gameplay. On paper, it works: EA FC 26 now offers two distinct gameplay styles — “Competitive” and “Realistic.” Competitive is the default across all online modes (Clubs, Ultimate Team) and cannot be changed. Here, everything feels faster: controls are tighter, manual defending is more effective, and sluggish animations have been removed to reduce frustration. Has it worked? Only partially. The promise of fewer lucky rebounds hasn’t quite been fulfilled, and attacking still holds a noticeable advantage. Even the best defenders struggle online against players who master sprinting and dribbling, AI goalkeepers frequently lose one-on-ones, and tennis-like scorelines are all too common. On the plus side, goalkeeper saves now more often result in corners rather than rebound goals — a welcome change from FC 25. And finally, those annoying stadium shadows that plagued past editions can be turned off.

The Realistic mode is designed primarily for single-player experiences — Career, Manager, or Kick-Off — although you can still switch to Competitive if you prefer. Here, matches slow down considerably, animations feel more authentic, and the rhythm of play better reflects real-world football. The difference is especially noticeable in aerial duels, dribbling, and build-up play — and it’s far from superficial. This feature might be the most interesting addition this year, offering real value to all types of players, even if switching between the two modes requires some adjustment.

Clubs Mode Levels Up: Build a Player Like a Pro Manager

Another key update arrives in Clubs mode (formerly Clubs Pro), where only AI-controlled players now tire over time — meaning human players can sprint longer and more effectively. This is a paradise for counterattacking teams with large squads, though it’s less ideal for smaller, more methodical teams with fewer than three human players. It’s too early to tell how impactful this design choice will be in the long run, but one thing is certain: player creation is about to change completely thanks to the NBA 2K-style Archetype system now integrated into FC 26.

Say goodbye to traditional skill trees: players now allocate attribute points earned with each level (around 10 per level, though some tiers are more generous) through a builder system reminiscent of Visual Concepts’ basketball simulation. Reaching certain attribute thresholds unlocks new playstyles, enhanced Playstyles+, or Archetypes inspired by legendary footballers. You can even unlock additional Archetypes and switch between them based on your team’s needs. Another handy addition is the ability to belong to up to three different clubs simultaneously, allowing faster transitions without having to submit transfer requests to admins. While the core of the mode hasn’t changed drastically, these quality-of-life improvements make a real difference. Unfortunately, one notorious NBA 2K flaw has also made its way into the game: players can now buy XP boosts with FC Points, pushing the system toward a “pay-to-fast” model — a disappointing step backward.

Ultimate Team and Career Mode: Small Tweaks, Mixed Results

Fast-paced, action-packed tournaments remain the backbone of Ultimate Team, but other aspects of the mode still feel stale and uninspired. The Player Career mode, for example, hasn’t seen any meaningful updates aside from the ability to play with icons — again, unlocked via the season pass. King’s League-inspired Rush matches haven’t evolved much either: while they’re fun for quick sessions, challenges, or XP farming, they still lack depth. A welcome addition is the option to play as a goalkeeper in Rush, and a few new “event” tournaments have been added to Ultimate Team. The card-based structure makes Squad Building Challenges quicker to complete, though acquiring top-tier cards seems to be a slower grind than before. That could actually be a good thing if it helps maintain realism and long-term engagement. Ultimately, though, Career mode remains the area where the most noticeable progress has been made.

Football and management enthusiasts — or those who enjoy both — are already counting down the days until Football Manager 26 launches in November. Then, they’ll get to rebuild storied European clubs, lead a fourth-division English side to glory, or manage a South American contender to a Copa Libertadores title. While EA FC 26 features fewer clubs, its Manager Career mode feels more polished and cohesive this year. There’s still no online Career mode (unlike in Madden NFL or NBA 2K’s MyNBA), but legendary figures like Zidane, Figo, Kluivert, Torres, Verón, Kroos, Alex Morgan, and Zlatan can now take the helm — many available as pre-order bonuses. You can also choose licensed coaches, rename unlicensed ones, or create your own. A single save can now include both men’s and women’s teams, with numerous difficulty customization options. The season is also punctuated by dynamic, unpredictable events: surprise transfer offers, injuries during international duty, new club ownership, homesick players, or disgruntled stars needing management. All in all, the Manager Career mode is a success this year, delivering one of the most realistic and immersive experiences in the series to date.

Live Mode and Challenges: Creative Ideas, Missed Opportunities

A new “Live” sub-mode has been added to Career, offering a variety of challenges to complete. Players can select up to five favorites to pursue over the course of a season — or even start certain objectives midway through. Challenges can be tackled solo or co-op with a friend, and retro kits are offered as rewards. It’s a clever idea for those in need of fresh goals or motivation. Unfortunately, EA hasn’t updated the cutscenes for transfer negotiations or player departures, which could have significantly boosted immersion.

EA FC 26 is now available in early access, but it still doesn’t deliver on every fan expectation. While the two gameplay modes — fast-paced online Competitive and slower, more authentic offline Realistic — are a welcome evolution, the series continues to suffer from some of its most frustrating legacy issues. Attack-heavy balance, goal-fest matches, and weak AI defending remain persistent problems. The good news is that Career mode has clearly improved, and the Live system adds meaningful replayability. Still, if EA wants to keep up with the potential return of FIFA’s World Cup game, Take-Two’s rumored football project, or the increasingly ambitious Football Manager 26, it will need a deeper reinvention in the years ahead.

-Zardoz-

Developer: EA Vancouver / EA Romania
Publisher: Electronic Arts
Genre: Sports, Football Simulation
Release Date: September 26, 2025