EA Sports FC 26 is the third title in the football series from EA Games that overhauls the gameplay and modes found in previous installments. It could have been FIFA 2026 if Electronic Arts and FIFA hadn’t closed their license deal a few years back.
The game will offer more responsive dribbling, dynamic player movement, lifelike animations, and better AI-powered positioning. You will also be able to assign new playstyles and player roles to shape your team however you like.
You can play EA Sports FC 26 in two new gameplay presets, depending on your preferences. The Competitive one is great for head-to-head actions in championships and face-offs between teams, and it offers more direct control and smarter keeper positions and rebounds. The second one, Authentic, is more focused on lifelike features and positioning and hit success rates, so it can change your experience in the Career mode.
With EA Sports FC 26, you also get new player archetypes and classes for players and club careers, and they are based on legendary football players while still allowing you to customize and progress your character the way you want to. With multiple live events and tournaments, the option to team up with other players in clubs, and a full roster of over 20,000 players, EA Sports FC 26 will be a fantastic game for any football fan. It’s coming this year on PlayStation 5, Xbox One and Series X/S, Nintendo Switch, Windows PCs, and cloud gaming platforms like Luna.
Why should I download EA Sports FC 26?
Claimed to be the most realistic and immersive football game, EA Sports FC 26 was just announced for fall 2025. It improved all of its playing modes and enhanced gameplay mechanics, so whether you’re a fan of the tactical career or Ultimate Team modes or multiplayer sessions, EA Sports FC 26 will have something for you.
EA Games improved the animation engine to use volumetric data from actual matches, so each action and movement looks and feels authentic. Player balance follows real-life physics, shots bend in expected ways, and passing the ball has the right weight and dynamic. EA Sports FC 26 will also use smarter AI models to control your teammates and opponents, so they make more intelligent runs, are more aware of their surroundings, and can pass the ball with various intensities, considering the game score and time.
If you decide to play the Career mode in EA Sports FC 26, you’ll get a better manager path that better represents a lifelike club manager experience. You will be able to take on real-world scenarios and face the challenges linked to them, creating alternative storylines. The player morale system will be more nuanced, off-field events and contract negotiations will also affect the team performance, and player scouting and development will have more options and tools available for you. In both player and manager paths, you can pick from various archetypes based on the legends of football, so you can develop your abilities, gain archetype XP, and upgrade different attributes or even unlock special perks.
Football Ultimate Team has reworked tournaments, live events, and Rivals and Champs experience so that you can play in more ways, test your skills in different scenarios, earn additional rewards, or compete in new competition tiers. Whatever mode you choose, you can pick from 2 gameplay modes, where one focuses on the competitive aspect of football, and the second one emphasizes lifelike actions and dynamics.
During the seasons, you’ll also see new challenges pop up, new entry requirements, and alternate match rules, so you’ll have access to a variety of activities within EA Sports FC 26. The game is coming to PlayStation 5, Xbox One and Series X/S, Nintendo Switch, and Windows PCs later this year.
Is EA Sports FC 26 free?
In order to download and play EA Sports FC 26 on any platform, you will first have to purchase the game. It’s a premium AAA title that is released in two versions - Standard and Deluxe, with the second one offering more premium in-game points and unique items.
If you want, you can also purchase the game right now in a pre-order on any of the gaming marketplaces supported, like Steam, EA App, Luna, Epic Games, My Nintendo Store, PlayStation Store, and Microsoft Store.
What operating systems are compatible with EA Sports FC 26?
EA Sports FC 26 is expected to be released on a wide range of platforms, including Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, and PCs.
To play EA Sports FC 26 on a computer, you’ll need Windows 10 or 11 with the newest updates, 8 GB of RAM or more, and at least 100 GB of free space.
What are the alternatives to EA Sports FC 26?
eFootball is a free-to-play football simulation that offers competitive online modes and refined player animations and movements. You can play with real clubs and national teams, create a dream team with favorite athletes, and the game offers in-app purchases for cosmetic changes and upgrades. eFootball is available on Windows PCs, iOS and Android tablets and smartphones, PlayStation 4 and 5, and Xbox One and Series X/S.
Football Manager is the most advanced and lifelike simulation game where you take on the role of a football manager. You don’t get to control players during matches, but you are responsible for every aspect of running a club, like tactics, training, recruitment, managing staff, finances, and media relations. The game offers thousands of real-life players, and you can buy the game for Windows and Mac computers, with a special version for PlayStation, Nintendo Switch, and Xbox consoles, as well as iPhones and iPads.
Top Eleven Football Manager is a mobile-first football manager simulation with fast-paced actions and less complexity. You can build your football clubs from scratch, design stadiums, create training regimes, and compete in PvP matches with players from around the globe. It’s a free-to-play title where you can purchase additional tokens to speed up training or get better players. Apart from iOS and Android, Top Eleven Football Manager works on computers through its website.
