EA confirms 'major gameplay overhaul' for FC 26

Alright EA FC fans, it’s almost that time of the year.

The football season is upon us, which means the next instalment of FC is set to hit shelves very soon.

But if you’ve been on social media at all since FC 25 came out, you’ll be aware of one thing: complaints. And a lot of them.

As a player myself, I’ve experienced everything from goalkeepers almost purposely palming shots back to the opposition, my own defenders missing the easiest of tackles, and all the stoppage time cheese in the world.

According to EA, though, all of this is about to change, come autumn.

FC 26 is taking a different approach to its predecessors (EA Sports)

Trailers have already revealed how much effort they’ve put into listening to the fans, which might come as a relief to many who may have felt unheard or silenced over the years.

If you’ve watched the trailer, you’ve probably seen the emphasis that EA have put on listening to the fans when it comes to rectifying what went wrong with FC 25.

Back in September 2024, I thought it was just me reaching the end of the video gaming phase of my life.

All the goals conceded and 50/50s lost in the game led to a lot of frustration but a quick scroll on TikTok showed I wasn’t alone.

We’ve been complaining all year, and it looks like EA have listened.

Jude Bellingham and Jamal Musiala will be gracing the cover of FC 26's Standard Edition game (EA Sports)

Listening to the community

James Salmon, the senior director at EA Sports FC, told LADbible that the community’s voices were a ‘really key part’ of the new instalment.

“There were so many opportunities for us to listen. And now through the innovation that's happening in FC 26, we're responding to the top requests that are coming from our community,” he explained.

James then spoke about the ‘overhaul of gameplay’ being one of their core focuses, as well as their new mantra, ‘The club is yours’.

There are also countless new in-game features that have been addressed in the trailer, as the senior director, as we asked him which features we should be looking forward to most.

EA have paid special attention to the positioning and behaviour of goalkeepers (EA Sports)

Features to keep an eye out for

Two modes of gameplay

"Based on my playing preferences from an FC point of view, it would definitely be the overhaul of gameplay. We have gone all in on overhauling our gameplay experience and ensuring that there's optionality in how fans can experience the game,” he admitted.

For those who haven’t seen, there are now two ways to play FC – authentically, or competitively.

The former is ‘in line with the real world of sport’, while the latter is set to be ‘a bit more faster paced, perhaps less authentic, but more arcade-y [sic] and more in line with past game title experiences’.

Aspects of dribbling have been a point of focus for EA (EA Sports)

Manager mode changes

But that’s not all, as James revealed the introduction of Manager Live Challenges.

If you haven't heard of it, F1 25 fans might be able to clue you up on it, given that it has a similar concept.

Essentially, Live Challenges are being added to Manager Career, presenting real-life scenarios and fictional storylines for you to take over.

These 'missions' can be short or last the course of seasons to finish, with in-game rewards at stake, and the director is particularly looking forward to the addition.

Career mode players can look forward to 'Manager live challenges' (EA Sports)

"I'm just so excited as a career player to see that come into the game," James admitted, adding: "I'm a lifelong Pompey (Portsmouth) fan, so I've seen the very best in our seasons and the very worst in our seasons.

"And having that option to be able to pop in and either course correct through a manager life challenge or jump on the success of a season is something I find really, really exciting."

It's very reminiscent of kick-off challenges, which were in older instalments of the game.

James assured FC fans that their voices have been heard (EA Sports)

Why fans should buy the game

I already know a few lads who've claimed they're reconsidering whether they should get a copy of the new game at all, so we asked James why sceptical fans should look forward to FC 26.

"The response would be, we hear you and we spoke about (the improvements with) goalkeepers and rebounds - goalkeeper positioning has been another example (as well as) responsiveness and dribbling."

Addition of Archetypes

Beyond the decision between authentic or competitive gameplay allows users to choose beyond their gameplay, James spoke about requests from users 'around the types of athletes they want', a concern they've addressed though the new 'Archetypes' addition.

This feature was inspired by real legends of football, introducing new classes to Clubs and Player Career.

By upgrading attributes and unlocking perks, you can develop your abilities to give your player a more unique feel on the pitch.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic will grace the cover of FC 26's Ultimate Edition (EA Sports)

Further additions

While we did ask about Clubs and the upcoming features fans of the game mode can look forward to, we were told by James that new deep dives and trailers will be coming in the days and weeks ahead.

For now, he reiterated: "I would say our focus is squarely around the overhaul of gameplay."

FC Ultimate Team players can also look forward to packing the likes of Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Alex Morgan as Icons in packs in a couple of months.

James also highlighted the importance of getting Toni Kroos on board as an FC ambassador, though it has not yet been confirmed if he too will be added as an icon.