FC 26 Review: What’s New in EA’s Latest Football Game

After spending countless hours with FC 26, I can honestly say EA Sports has delivered something special this year. Released on September 26, 2025, this third entry in the FC series shows the developers really understood what players wanted – and they’ve delivered in ways I didn’t expect.

Two Games in One Package

Here’s what caught me off guard right away: FC 26 essentially gives you two different football experiences. The Competitive mode feels snappy and responsive, perfect for when you’re grinding Ultimate Team matches online. Everything happens faster – passes zip around the pitch, keepers make sharper saves, and the whole thing just feels more arcade-like in the best possible way.

Then there’s Authentic mode, which is where FC 26 really shines for me. Playing Career Mode feels like watching real football. Defenders actually stay in position instead of chasing the ball like kids in youth soccer. Corner kicks don’t go in every single time anymore (thank goodness). The pace feels more realistic, and honestly, it’s the closest I’ve felt to playing actual football in a video game.

This split approach was genius. No more compromising between what online players want and what offline players prefer. Everyone gets exactly what they’re looking for.

Players Actually Move Like Humans Now

Remember how clunky dribbling felt in previous games? Those days are gone. Players glide across the pitch naturally, and close control actually works the way you’d expect. I spent my first few matches just running around with Messi because the movement felt so smooth.

The AI improvements are huge too. Your teammates make smarter runs, defenders don’t abandon their posts for no reason, and goalkeepers – wow, the goalkeepers actually look like they know what they’re doing. No more weird robotic animations where they dive three seconds after the ball’s already in the net.

Ball shielding works properly now. You can actually hold off defenders while looking for a pass, which opens up so many tactical possibilities that weren’t there before.

Ultimate Team Gets Some Love

Ultimate Team received major upgrades this year, and if you’re serious about competing, you’ll want to get your squad sorted quickly. That’s where services like LootBar come in handy – being able to buy FC 26 coins means you can jump straight into the action without grinding for weeks.

The new Live Events system is addictive. Instead of the same old tournaments, you get these varied challenges with different rules and entry requirements. Some matches have special conditions, others limit your squad rating, and the Tournament and Gauntlet formats keep things interesting.

They finally fixed Rivals too. No more playoff nonsense – just straightforward competition that gets you into higher divisions without unnecessary barriers. It’s so much smoother now.

Building Your Dream Team

Squad building feels more rewarding this time around. The chemistry system works better, and players perform more consistently. Whether you’re opening packs or using LootBar to buy FC 26 coins for targeted purchases, putting together your ideal lineup is more satisfying than it’s been in years.

If you grabbed the Ultimate Edition, those 6,000 FC Points spread over two months really help. Plus the Season 1 Premium Pass gives you extra rewards and another Player Evolution slot, which is perfect for upgrading your favorite players.

Performance That Actually Delivers

Playing on PS5, the game runs incredibly smoothly. Loading times are practically non-existent, and I haven’t experienced any of those annoying lag spikes that plagued earlier versions. PC players get the full next-gen experience too, while older consoles still run the game well – just without some of the fancier visual effects.

The difference between this and FC 25 is night and day. Everything feels more responsive, and the gameplay tweaks actually make a difference you can feel immediately.

They Actually Listened This Time

What impresses me most is how many community complaints got addressed. Players complained about unresponsive controls? Fixed. Unrealistic goalkeeper behavior? Sorted. Dribbling feeling too rigid? Completely overhauled.

The developers clearly spent time reading feedback and implementing real solutions instead of just making surface-level changes. This shows in every match you play.

Getting Started Early

Pre-ordering got you early access starting September 19, which was worth it just to avoid the day-one server crashes. Having that extra week to learn the new mechanics and start building your Ultimate Team before everyone else jumped in made a huge difference.

The servers held up surprisingly well during early access, which bodes well for the game’s long-term stability.

Fair Play Improvements

The new Graduated Access system might frustrate some new players initially, but it’s necessary. Limiting Transfer Market access for new accounts helps prevent coin farming and other exploitative behaviors that hurt the game’s economy. It’s a temporary inconvenience that benefits everyone long-term.

More Ways to Compete

The Challengers mode gives lower-division players something meaningful to compete in during weekends. Instead of getting crushed by elite players, you can face opponents at your skill level and actually have competitive matches. This was badly needed and works exactly as intended.

Final Thoughts

FC 26 succeeds because it doesn’t try to be everything to everyone all at once. The dual gameplay approach lets each mode excel at what it’s supposed to do. Competitive mode delivers the fast-paced online experience players crave, while Authentic mode provides the realistic football simulation fans have been requesting for years.

Ultimate Team improvements, better AI, smoother gameplay, and actual community feedback implementation make this the strongest entry in the series yet. Whether you’re building your squad through gameplay or choosing to buy FC 26 coins through services like LootBar for quicker access to top players, the game provides multiple paths to enjoyment. The technical improvements across all platforms ensure everyone can experience what FC 26 offers, regardless of their console choice. EA Sports finally delivered a football game that feels like it was made by people who actually understand football and gaming.