EA Sports FC 26: Everything Changing in FIFA’s Successor, Price, and Release Date

22 Sep EA Sports FC 26: Everything Changing in FIFA’s Successor, Price, and Release Date

The ball of virtual football now belongs to EA Sports FC 26, the new installment of the classic football simulator that replaces the old FIFA. The game has already revealed its new gameplay features and the official release date for the 2025 season, both on consoles and PC, following demands from thousands of players across the globe. EA Sports FC 26 comes with an addictive online Ultimate Team mode, along with weekly challenges and constant updates that keep the game fresh month after month, allowing it to remain relevant and competitive against other genres.

Among the community’s main demands were gameplay balance adjustments, improvements to Ultimate Team and Career Mode, and fixes to various defensive aspects such as sliding tackles and interceptions—most notably goalkeeper movements. Thanks to player feedback, the U.S. company decided to redesign several controversial and unrealistic gameplay elements from EA Sports FC 25.

Specifically, improvements were made to player movement and dribbling, goalkeeper AI, blocks and tackles (the recovered ball no longer bounces unrealistically off the defender), collision physics, passing and shooting accuracy, and overall positioning on the pitch. There are also new accessibility options such as a high-contrast mode, the ability to disable shadows, simplified controls, and balanced PlayStyles adjustments to make the experience more inclusive.

Additionally, two preset gameplay styles were introduced to satisfy every type of fan: a “Competitive” mode focused on speed—ideal for online matches and Ultimate Team—and an “Authentic” mode aimed at those seeking a more realistic experience, perfect for Career Mode. EA Sports FC 26 will, as always, be available on a wide range of platforms: PlayStation 4/5, Xbox One/Series X|S, and Nintendo Switch and Switch 2. The football title will also launch on PC (Windows) and mobile devices, both Android and iOS.

The game will feature two official editions, each with different bonus content and, of course, different prices. Standard Edition: $69.99 — the basic version. Ultimate Edition: $99.99 — includes up to 6,000 FC Points for Ultimate Team, Career Mode icons, player evolutions, and more rewards if pre-ordered before August 26.

The Standard Edition cover stars are Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid) and Jamal Musiala (Bayern Munich), two of Europe’s brightest young talents. The Ultimate Edition, meanwhile, features an iconic image of Zlatan Ibrahimović in a relaxed yet defiant pose—true to his style. The official global release date for EA Sports FC 26 is set for September 26, 2025, although players who purchase the Ultimate Edition will get early access starting September 19.