EA Sports FC 26 Review – EA’s Boldest Kick Yet!

EA Sports FC 26 reviewed on PS5

After spending more than a week with EA Sports FC 26, it’s easy to see why each new release feels like a yearly ritual for us football fans. Every time a new game drops, millions of players rush to see what’s changed, what’s improved, and what still feels like the same old FC they know and love. There’s something special about that first kickoff — testing new moves, tweaking your Ultimate Team, or just jumping into a quick match to feel the flow.

One thing I can guarantee is that EA Sports FC 26 keeps that tradition alive, offering enough fresh touches to keep you hooked while still feeling like home for anyone who’s been playing for years. While every year we go in with big expectations that don’t always become reality, EA Sports FC 26 feels like the year they actually delivered.

There’s just so much to sink your teeth into — from Career Mode, with tweaks that take you closer to the real world, and Ultimate Team to Clubs, and more. No matter how you like to play, there’s a mode that keeps you entertained for hours. It feels like EA finally found the right balance between depth and fun, giving us plenty of ways to enjoy the beautiful game our way.

Competitive & Authentic Gameplay

One of the coolest changes this year — and one that could really make a difference over time — is how EA has split gameplay between single-player modes and multiplayer modes. For the first time, the two styles finally get their own space: the competitive, fast-paced side and the more realistic, simulation-style experience.

With the Competitive preset, you’re thrown into that familiar, high-speed gameplay built for online matches — pretty much what fans will remember from FC 25. It’s all about lightning-fast tempo, endless skill moves, wild end-to-end action, and barely any time spent in midfield. Defending, though, is still a real challenge. The AI offers little help — and sometimes even feels like it’s working against you — so solid manual control is a must.

On the bright side, tackles feel sharper now, with the ball more likely to stay at your defender’s feet instead of bouncing straight back to the attacker. Goalkeepers also pull off some unbelievable saves here and there, but keeping a clean sheet still feels like a minor miracle, especially with those new low shots that are nearly impossible to stop.

With the Realistic option, the game slows down and starts to feel a lot more like real football. You’ll notice more patient build-up play, an active midfield that actually matters, and tougher physical battles. Even the weather makes a difference — rain, wind, and a wet pitch all change how the ball moves, adding a nice touch of realism to every match.

Improved AI , Defense to Managers

No matter which mode you dive into, EA Sports FC 26 just feels cleaner and more polished than it has in a long time. Everything clicks better — goalkeepers actually make saves instead of flopping around at the slightest touch, passes feel solid and reliable, and the AI finally feels like it knows what it’s doing, especially when it comes to defending. A lot of this improvement comes from the new player archetypes, roles, and customizable tactics that have been added this year, which really open up how you can approach both a single match and the long grind of a full season.

Personally, I’ve never been one to obsess over formations or tweak tactics constantly, but it’s kind of awesome to watch the opposition managers in Career Mode actually use these features intelligently. They read the game, adjust their lineups, and make moves that feel natural, which makes the whole experience feel way more alive and engaging than in previous editions.

Career mode is still the perfect mode for solo players, and it’s where I spend most of my time with some of the new features. Live Manager mode is a standout, throwing you into dynamic challenges and scenarios inspired by real-life football. On top of that, Unexpected Events keep things interesting—think training injuries, locker room drama, or new owners shaking up goals and budgets. You’ll need some serious managerial skills to navigate these curveballs, or you might just find your job on the line.

FUT remains the grind in EA Sports FC 26

This is where our review will take a tonal change because with all the improvements comes Ultimate Team…which, as I said earlier, our expectations are always high and this year, while there are some cosmetic changes within Ultimate Team, the structure’s pretty much what we’ve seen before — tons of online and offline modes to grab new packs. But honestly, it never feels like enough. With more high-performance cards to chase, side objectives popping up, and challenges that it makes it feel more of a grind, and if you do plan to grind, you will need to get the Companion App make doing the SBCs way easier.

On top of that, there’s now a single Season Pass that works across all modes, letting you earn experience and unlock rewards in Career, FUT, and Clubs. It’s a neat idea in theory, but it can feel a bit pushy, nudging you to play every mode just to keep up. And, as usual, there’s also a paid premium version — basically rewarding those willing to open their wallets the most.

While this is a review of EA Sports FC 26, and not just a review of Ultimate Team, I have to say overall, the gameplay of all modes has improved which is why I have given the game overall such a high rating; this is a football game after all and EA have done a great job in bringing it to life with a more realistic feel this time round, however I feel it is a few small changes away from perfection.

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