EA’s long-running football sim franchise is set to continue this year with the release of EA Sports FC 26. The upcoming game is nearing its official reveal, and as always, leaks from credible sources have already provided some insight into its new features. With FC 25’s life cycle all but over, the attention is now beginning to shift towards what’s next for the series. And if you’re eager to learn more, here’s everything we know so far about EA FC 26.
When Will EA FC 26 Release?
There is currently no official release date for FC 26, but given the series’ traditional release cadence, the video game will likely be released on September 26, 2025. With the game’s official reveal trailer debuting on July 17, we will receive confirmation on its release date very soon.
As always, you’ll be able to buy two different editions of EA FC 26: the Standard and Ultimate editions. The Ultimate Edition will provide a week-long early access period and additional content for a higher asking price.
The title’s official reveal trailer is also expected to drop this month. According to the popular leaker @FutSheriff on X, here’s what the game’s pre-order bonuses will look like:
- Untradeable Icon
- Up to 4,600- 6,000 FC Points
- Additional Evolution Slot
- Season 1 Premium Pass
- Up to Seven Days of Early Access
- 1 of 5 Player Pick 93+ Icon Evolution (EA FC 25)
EA FC 26 Price: How Much Will the Game Cost?
EA FC 26 will likely cost $69.99/ £69.99, just like its predecessor. The franchise is yet to pivot to the $80 pricing convention kickstarted by Nintendo, but that could be the case with its latest iteration. We’ll have to wait until the official reveal for more details, but an $80 asking price for an annual sports game is bound to cause a ruckus in the community.
EA FC 26 Supported Platforms (Expected)
Based on previous releases, we can expect EA FC 26 to be available on the following platforms:
- PS5
- PS4
- Xbox Series X/S
- Xbox One
- Nintendo Switch and Switch 2
- PC
EA continues to support old-gen consoles as part of an effort to maximise revenue, and we will likely see this tradition continue with the upcoming title. Moreover, I’m interested in trying out the game on my newly bought Nintendo Switch OLED.
Who’s on the Cover of EA FC 26?
As confirmed by EA, Jude Bellingham and Jamal Musiala will be the cover stars of the FC 26 Standard Edition. The Ultimate Edition, on the other hand, sees Zlatan Ibrahimovic take center stage, with the legendary striker returning as an in-game Icon. The Swede will also star in FC 26’s reveal trailer.
EA FC 26 Icons (Leaked)
New Icons cards are introduced with each new entry, and leaks suggest FC 26 will bring 12 new legends to the franchise. The rumored lineup features many fan-favorites, including superstars that players have been demanding for ages. Check them out below:
- Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Sweden)
- Andres Iniesta (Spain)
- Toni Kroos (Germany)
- Marcelo (Brazil)
- Giorgio Chiellini (Italy)
- Alex Morgan (USA)
- Francesco Totti (Italy)
- Oliver Kahn (Germany)
- Sara Thunebro (Sweden)
- Cha Bum-kun (South Korea)
- Steffi Jones (Germany)
- Sissi (Brazil)
If true, the list is sure to be a crowd-pleaser. The most surprising mention on the list is undoubtedly Zlatan Ibrahimovic. The imperious striker famously spoke out against EA in 2021 for using his likeness without permission. His inclusion as an Icon suggests that the parties have settled their dispute.
In addition, the list includes recently retired superstars in Andres Iniesta, Toni Kroos, and Marcelo, who frequently squared off in the emblematic El Clásicos of the 2010s. Juventus stalwart and Gli Azzurri icon Giorgio Chiellini also makes the cut, alongside his compatriot Francesco Totti.
Arguably the greatest one-club man of all time, Totti had been absent from the franchise for an extended spell, which catapulted him to the top of the community’s Icon wishlist. The same can be said for the commanding figure of Oliver Kahn, whose last appearance in the series came in FIFA 08.
All New EA FC 26 Features (Leaked)
Aside from balancing tweaks to the core gameplay experience, EA introduces a set of new features to the series with each new addition. EA FC 26 could be a massive release in this regard, as leaks have teased some major new additions coming as part of the package. Here’s an overview of the potential features:
Open-World Mode
During an EA Games Summit held in October 2024, the company’s president, Cam Weber, hinted at the introduction of an open world in the Football Sim franchise.
He stated that the team is “building unique, new experiences. Virtual open-world playground space, where you, your friends, and the fan community can come together to experience avatar-based collective play, both competitive and casual.” Weber added, “We are talking about two distinctly different experiences for FC and our American football franchises. And while we’re not ready to share more just yet, we are incredibly excited to release these new experiences into our ecosystems in the years ahead.”
Naturally, this stirred up plenty of excitement within the FC community, and leaks of the open-world mode’s addition in FC 26 quickly followed. While nothing has been confirmed as of yet, the open world will likely mirror ‘The City’ seen in the NBA 2K games, allowing players to co-exist in a shared world, come together on small-sized pitches for kickabouts, and potentially buy cosmetics at branded stores.
FIFA World Cup Mode
As you probably know, EA and FIFA had a public breakup back in 2023, with the former refusing to pay the footballing federation’s licensing fees. This saw the franchise renamed to ‘EA FC,’ with FIFA vying to find a new studio interested in their license. Despite their disagreements, EA is reportedly interested in acquiring the rights to the 2026 FIFA World Cup to reintroduce the classic World Cup game mode into their upcoming title.
Of course, there is no official information on the subject, so take the leaks with a grain of salt.
And that wraps up everything we know about EA FC 26 so far. With the game’s official reveal on the horizon, we’ll be sure to update this article with the latest information. In the meantime, let us know about your expectations from FC 26 in the comments.
