EA’s long-running football sim franchise is set to continue this year with the release of EA Sports FC 26. The upcoming title saw its official reveal recently, with EA placing key gameplay changes front and center, alongside a shiny new Icon in Zlatan Ibrahimovic. Besides the adjustments, some new features have also been confirmed, as well as the game’s cover stars. So, if you’re eager to learn more about what’s next for the franchise, here’s everything to know about EA FC 26.
When Will EA FC 26 Release?
EA FC 26 will hit the shelves on September 26, but as always, Ultimate Edition owners will enjoy a week’s worth of early access starting September 19. The two editions come with their own set of pre-bonuses that you can check out in our dedicated guide.
EA FC 26 Price: How Much Will the Game Cost?
- EA Sports FC 26 Standard Edition will cost $69.99/ £69.99, just like its predecessor.
- EA Sports FC 26 Ultimate Edition is priced at $99.99/ £99.99 across all platforms, barring the Nintendo Switch 2, where you will need to spend $89.99/£79.99.
Thankfully, the franchise is yet to pivot to the $80 pricing convention that several AAA titles are edging towards.
EA FC 26 Supported Platforms
FC 26 will be available on the following platforms:
- PS5
- PS4
- Xbox Series X/S
- Xbox One
- Nintendo Switch and Switch 2
- PC
EA FC continues to support old-gen consoles as part of an effort to maximise revenue, and the tradition is set to continue with the upcoming title. FC 26 marks the franchise’s first appearance on Nintendo Switch 2, and I cannot wait to see how the game holds up on the handheld console.
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.
EA FC 26 Icons
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. For a look at every leaked Icon, be sure to check out our dedicated guide. But for now, here are the Icons confirmed so far:
- Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Sweden)
- Alex Morgan (USA)
- Ronaldo (Brazil)
EA FC 26 Game Modes
EA FC 26 will feature all of the franchise’s signature game modes, alongside a brand-new competitive mode named Challengers. The online mode serves as a second-tier weekend league designed for players in lower Divisions. Here’s a look at every game mode coming to EA FC 26:
- Kick Off
- Clubs
- Career Mode
- Seasons
- Ultimate Team
- Rivals
- Champions
- Challengers
- UT Draft
- Rush
- Moments
- Squad Battles
All New EA FC 26 Features
EA are placing a strong emphasis on gameplay improvements for the latest entry in the franchise. In fact, gameplay changes dominated the title’s reveal trailer, with the studio highlighting the attention paid to community feedback. Here are all of FC 26’s confirmed new features so far:
Overhauled Gameplay
EA FC 25, especially before its transformative winter update, was possibly the lowest point for the franchise in terms of the core gameplay experience. During this abysmal spell, central areas of the pitch felt suffocating, dribbling felt restrictive, and the untameable bounce-backs made me screech like a crazed monkey.
Thankfully, EA have listened as they addressed these gameplay inconsistencies throughout the trailer. In their own words, FC 26 will come with “more responsive dribbling, smarter AI positioning, and sharper, more explosive movement — all based on community feedback.” In addition to this, the title will also feature new Playstyles and Player Roles, which are yet to be revealed.
Competitive and Authentic Game Presets
EA FC has two distinct player bases. The first group leans towards the Career Mode in search of a realistic football sim experience, while the latter relishes the competitive and breakneck nature of Ultimate Team. To cater to both these factions, EA FC 26 introduces two new gameplay presets, each built for a different way to play.
Competitive is tuned for head-to-head action in Ultimate Team and Clubs, with faster passing, smarter keeper rebounds, and more direct control. Authentic, on the other hand, is built for the Career Mode, with more positionally-responsible defenders, realistic corner success rates, lifelike goalmouth scrambles, and more.
Manager Live Challenges
Manager Career is receiving some much-deserved attention in the shape of new Manager Live Challenges. As described by EA, these challenges will see players “take on a variety of real-world scenarios and alternative storylines—ranging from a few minutes of play to multiple seasons—and earn rewards including Season Points, Vanity, and Icons and Heroes to use in modern-day clubs.”
Additionally, a new Manager Market feature is being introduced to Manager Career, which could potentially rejuvenate the game mode. We’ll learn more about both these features in the Career Mode Deep Dive, so be sure to revisit this article in the future.
FIFA World Cup Mode (Rumored)
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 gameplay Deep Dives planned for the coming weeks, we’ll be sure to update this article with the latest information. In the meantime, be sure to check out our top 25 player ratings predictions.
