EA FC 26 has been officially announced as EA Sports unveiled new features and updates in a new trailer.
Unlike most years, EA actually showcased gameplay from the get-go with the trailer packed full of information.
For just a split second, you will see that a ‘Manager Market’ is being added to Career Mode.
EA Sports’ website briefly mentions the new FC 26 Career Mode feature:
“For the first time ever, movement in the Manager Market sees team tactics transform over time as new managers take the helm, changing the dynamics of every new season.”
Essentially, managers with different formations, playstyles, and tactics will move around clubs like they do in real life.
There will be manager transfer moves, meaning licensed coaches like Vincent Kompany and Pep Guardiola will jump between clubs.
In theory, you won’t have to worry about facing an Arsenal team that plays Arteta-ball with fearsome corners every season.
This exciting idea could be revolutionary for the game, and keep FC 26 Career Mode fresh. But that’s only if it works well… that feels like a giant if.
Career Mode has been plagued for years with bad and unrealistic player transfers.
Lionel Messi ending up at Huddersfield. Champions League teams playing reserves. Not being able to sign your transfer target because the club doesn’t have any other left-backs.
In that regard, the game has unfortunately been unrealistic for years.
Which is understandable given the numbers of players in the game but still, it does break the illusion somewhat.
It’s also rare that you notice an AI-controlled team’s playstyle, outside of Liverpool’s pressing squad having no stamina on the 80th minute.
If EA can have licensed managers realistically change teams often and have that make a noticeable difference, EA FC 26 Career Mode will be very fun.
Every EA FC 26 Career Mode new feature
One other new feature will be live challenges, giving Career Mode players difficult scenarios to tackle like point deductions.
Outside of the manager market, another big change for EA FC 26 is the introduction of two types of gameplay.
Online will have competitive gameplay, which is faster-paced, while offline will have slower, more grounded gameplay for added realism.
Adding to that realism will be all the official licences with over 20,000 players, 750 clubs, 120 stadiums, and 35 leagues.
One of the new stadiums is Bayern Munich’s Allianz Arena, which was one of the heavily rumoured stadiums coming to EA FC 26.
When does EA FC 26 release?
EA Sports have confirmed that EA FC 26 will release for everyone on Friday, September 26th, 2025.
But those who pre-order the premium Ultimate Edition will get access a week early, starting September 19th.
The EA FC 26 Ultimate Edition will have various bonuses and the famous Zlatan Ibrahimović on the cover.
There’s a few months to save up for the new game or you could win enough with a free bet on esports betting sites.
In my seven years of esports writing, I’ve introuduced esports coverage to newspapers, interviewed some of the biggest names in the industry, and driven viewers mad with the puns in my YouTube scripts. I’m most proud of the latter.