With EA Sports FC 26, EA once again takes a step forward in its post-FIFA era, aiming to refine the foundation it built with the first FC entries. The latest release feels less like a reinvention and more like an effort to solidify what’s already there. The pitch action is where the changes are most noticeable, thanks to two new gameplay settings – Authentic Gameplay for those who want a more grounded football experience and Competitive Gameplay for players who prefer the sharp responsiveness and consistency needed in online and Ultimate Team modes. The former slows things down in a way that makes matches feel more tactical, while the latter ensures online play remains fluid and predictable.
Football Ultimate Team remains the centerpiece of the package, and this year’s additions make it slightly more dynamic without shaking up the formula too much. Live Events and the new Tournament modes add extra variety, and the refreshed Rivals and Champs systems keep things flowing for veterans. However, microtransactions still loom large, with the familiar push towards in-game purchases that will likely continue to divide the community. For those less invested in FUT, the expanded Manager Career is a welcome focus, introducing Live Challenges that simulate real-world scenarios. These range from quick tests to season-spanning campaigns, injecting some freshness into a mode that has often felt stagnant in past years.
Player development also sees tweaks through Archetypes, inspired by legendary figures of the sport. These new classes in Clubs and Player Career give more individuality to your on-pitch avatar, with upgradeable perks that meaningfully impact how players handle. It’s a smart addition that helps differentiate builds, though some may find the system still leans a bit heavily on stat boosts rather than deeper tactical options. Clubs itself benefits from better structure and matchmaking, making it easier to form and progress with friends.
On the field, controls remain slick and accessible, with the balance between pace and physicality carefully tuned. Passing feels sharper, dribbling more deliberate, and defensive positioning better rewarded, though occasional inconsistencies still creep in. At its best, matches flow with a natural rhythm that really does evoke real-world football, but moments of scripted unpredictability – especially with goalkeepers – can still frustrate, and a more guided tutorial (as opposed to selecting individual drills) would have been helpful for people looking to gradually improve as well.
Visually, FC 26 is undeniably polished. Player likenesses and animations are sharper than ever, stadiums brim with atmosphere through both visuals and chants, and the broadcast-style presentation continues to enhance immersion. That said, while incremental improvements are noticeable, the graphical leap isn’t dramatic compared to last year’s release, and the occasional stiffness in crowd reactions or cutscenes makes the gap less striking than some might hope. On the audio side, commentary teams remain solid, though sometimes repetitive, while the soundtrack sticks to EA’s familiar mix of global hits and football culture anthems.
The biggest criticism levied at EA Sports FC 26 is that, despite genuine improvements and welcome refinements, it still plays things relatively safe. EA clearly listened to community feedback, especially around Career modes and gameplay responsiveness, but it hasn’t risked shaking up the formula in a way that could truly surprise or redefine the series. For some players, that’s perfectly fine – the result is the most stable and well-rounded FC game to date. For others, the sense of déjà vu remains strong, particularly outside of FUT.
Ultimately, EA Sports FC 26 feels like a steady consolidation of EA’s football vision rather than a bold step forward. It delivers engaging, realistic football on the pitch, deeper career experiences, and new wrinkles in FUT and Clubs. But it also clings tightly to established structures, with microtransactions still casting a long shadow. It’s a game that will satisfy fans looking for incremental improvements but may leave those craving innovation wanting more. On balance, it’s a confident entry you’ll likely spends hundreds of hours with – just not yet a transformative one.
Score: 8.2/10
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