FC 26 Greatest of the Game ICONs Tier List: Which Players Are S, S+ and A Tier Meta Picks?

FC 26 Pre-Season event has kicked off, marking the final phase of FC 26. For players planning to transition to FC 27, this is the perfect time to clear out current event content and get a head start on preparations for the new title.

Overall, the barrier to entry for this event isn't high, and most objectives can be progressed through normal gameplay. However, completing them one by one in the standard way can still be time-consuming. Strategically planning your squad and match order can significantly boost efficiency.

Below, EZG outlines how to quickly complete Final Whistle and Completionist objectives in FC 26 Pre-Season, as well as details on the new rewards.

Rewards and Content

For players intending to play FUT 27, the carryover rewards are the highlight of Pre-Season. These rewards do not remain in FC 26; instead, they are claimed once FC 27 begins.

Rewards include Anticipate, Pinged Pass, and Shadow Striker++ PlayStyles, an 81+ x3 Pack, a Base Heroes Loan Player Pick, a tradeable 82+ Player Pick, and 10,000 FC 27 coins.

These rewards will become available in FC 27 starting October 23. To claim them, you must use the same EA Account and platform used for FC 26, and you must redeem them within one month. Completing Final Whistle Tournament and Completionist objectives will also earn you additional rewards.

Additionally, Pre-Season sees the return of FUTTIES Player Items to the pack pool. All four batches will be reintroduced to FUT pool; the first two batches launch in Week 1, while the third and fourth batches will roll out during Week 2.

FC 26 Pre-Season also features six distinct Challenge SBCs, alongside Player SBCs centered on New Transfers, Summer Stars, FUTTIES Heroes, and ICON re-releases.

Final Whistle

Final Whistle Tournament is a priority activity for Week 1 of FC 26 Pre-Season. The rules are straightforward: matches are decided by the first to three goals format, including potential extra time and penalty shootouts. The key constraint to keep in mind is the limit of 20 entries. 

You need to score goals across various FUT 26 matches while also securing a specific number of wins. Key requirements include scoring at least two goals in a single match, scoring in four and six separate matches respectively, and achieving three and five wins in total.

Don't focus solely on the win count; aim to score in every match you play in EA FC 26. There are no specific squad requirements for the matches themselves, giving you plenty of freedom in team selection.

During actual FUT 26 gameplay, there is no need to panic if you concede a goal or two; instead, observe your opponent's habits and exploit the space they leave open while defending. If your opponent tends to defend using midfielders or forwards, they often leave other areas exposed, allowing you to create chances through smart positioning and wing play.

If your goal is simply to complete FIFA 26 Pre-Season Final Whistle objective, you don't need to win the entire tournament; you only need to meet the specific win and goal requirements, so the overall pressure is low.

Completionist Objectives

For FUT 26 Pre-Season Completionist Objectives, if you prepare your squad correctly beforehand, you can make progress on multiple objectives in a single Squad Battles match, saving a significant amount of time.

4-2-1-3 formation is a good choice as it accommodates a striker, a CAM, and a left winger. Since FC 26 squad building often revolves around league and nationality criteria, you should prepare at least two players each from England, USA, Argentina, and Belgium, while also meeting the roster requirements for Premier League, NWSL, and Argentine league.

Pay special attention to the players' preferred positions; relying solely on alternative positions may prevent you from making progress on the relevant objectives

Another easily overlooked requirement is that your starting lineup must include at least six first-owned players. Before starting a match in FIFA 26, check the player status; players acquired via Transfer Market using FC 26 coins do not count as First Owned.

Once your FUT 26 squad is ready, head straight into Squad Battles, select a relatively easy opponent, and set the difficulty to Semi-Pro. One of the objectives requires a Striker to score five goals, a CAM to provide five assists, a Defender to provide five assists, and a Left Wing to score five goals.

The easiest approach is to have CAM hold the ball and repeatedly provide the final pass to Striker to rack up the required goals and assists. Afterward, have Left Back push forward, have Defender pass to Left Wing, and let Left Wing take the shot.

The biggest advantage of this strategy is that you can progress multiple objectives simultaneously in a single EA FC 26 match; the specific objectives tied to Wilson, Catarina, Otamendi, and Trossard can largely be completed this way.

That leaves the requirement involving three Turkish Super League players. Once the previous objectives are done, add three Turkish Super League players to your squad, revert the other positions to your main lineup, and ensure you have at least six first-owned players.

Next, enter Double Trouble mode - where the first to score two goals wins - and try to keep a clean sheet. If your squad is weak, you can complete the other objectives first, then switch back to your main team to grind out the wins.

Some FUT 26 objectives only require you to play the match, not win it. In such cases, enter Double Trouble, score two own goals right after kickoff, and end the match quickly.

After fulfilling the position, league, and nationality requirements, switch back to your main team, add the three Turkish Super League players, and finish off the remaining wins. This minimizes the number of matches you have to play with a mixed squad.

If you are already playing FC 26 Pre-Season and plan to continue with FC 27, the cost of completing this event isn't actually high. In particular, Final Whistle and Completionist objectives can be tackled together, so you don't need to invest a huge amount of extra match time.

With FC 27 about to be released, FC 26 has entered the final stage of its lifecycle. Looking back over the past year, the game didn't undergo a complete overhaul, but there were adjustments to gameplay, Career Mode stability, and some long-term gameplay elements.

Compared to previous installments, the most noticeable changes in FUT 26 are concentrated in the match experience and game stability. From its release until August 2026, its overall reputation has remained relatively stable, and there hasn't been a significant decline in word-of-mouth despite entering the latter stages of its lifecycle.

As a sports game of the year, EA FC 26's ability to maintain stable reviews after the announcement of a new title is itself a noteworthy phenomenon.

Data

Player numbers are an important indicator for FC 26. Steam data shows that FIFA 26 saw significant growth in June and July 2026. In July 2026, the average concurrent online player count exceeded 100,000, peaking at nearly 160,000; while it declined slightly in August, it remained at a high level.

Steam only represents a portion of PC and console players, so these figures do not directly represent the total number of players across all platforms. However, the trend shows that EA FC 26 maintained high activity levels even after the start of FC 27 promotional cycle. This is related to the continuous content updates for Ultimate Team, seasonal events, and the long-term save feature of Career Mode.

Gameplay

The most noticeable changes in FIFA 26 are concentrated in gameplay. Competitive Gameplay and Authentic Gameplay presets are significant adjustments in this installment.

Competitive Gameplay primarily targets online modes such as FUT and Clubs, emphasizing responsive controls and match pace; Authentic Gameplay focuses more on match realism, providing a different gameplay experience for Career Mode.

FC 26 has made several adjustments to fundamental systems such as movement, dribbling, passing, shooting, defense, goalkeeping, and AI positioning. Subsequent title updates have also continuously modified these mechanisms, ensuring the game remains dynamic throughout the season.

The impact of some PlayStyles has been reduced, while the importance of basic attributes has been increased. The accuracy and speed of ground passes for players with high Passing attributes have also been adjusted. For players who need to constantly adjust their lineups, FC 26 Coins investment and player selection should be tailored to the current game environment, rather than simply pursuing high-rated players.

Ultimate Team

Ultimate Team remains one of the most stable long-term operating models in the game. Compared to relying solely on new cards to drive player return, FC 26's content structure is more diverse.

Evolutions provide room for the continuous development and upgrading of existing players, while Live Events and Tournaments add short-term goals different from traditional Rivals and Champions, meaning that lineup combinations and gameplay choices in EA FC 26 are no longer entirely centered on the highest-rated players.

For long-term players, this continuous addition of new objectives caters to diverse needs, from casual gameplay to competitive content, and prevents Ultimate Team from quickly losing content in the mid-to-late game.

Clubs

Clubs introduced Archetypes in EA FC 26. Compared to the past reliance on attributes and skill points to improve player abilities, Archetypes provide clearer development paths for original positions and builds. The roles of speed-type, playmaker, finisher, and defensive players are more defined, and development paths are no longer limited to simply increasing overall ratings.

This change is particularly important for long-term gameplay in clubs. Different positions can choose different development paths based on team tactics and individual PlayStyles, and there is no longer only one standard build for the same position. This increases the freedom of character development and makes team composition more important in FUT 26.

Career Mode

FC 26 Career Mode is still built on the framework of previous installments. Manager Live Challenges, Manager Transfers, Deeper Simulation, and Player Search are some of the more significant recent additions in this generation.

Manager Live Challenges will continuously offer different challenges and tasks, adding extra objectives to long-term saves. Manager transfers make AI ​​head coach's role more dynamic. Different teams can change head coaches based on tactics and team needs, making manager market more dynamic than before.

Deeper simulation and player search are more practical. Player search, in particular, can find potential transfer targets based on player performance in other leagues, adding another method to scouting and transfer planning.

Issues

EA FC 26's multiple Title Updates continue to address Career Mode crashes, Youth Academy data anomalies, PC performance degradation, and various stability issues, bringing some control over problems severely affecting long-term saves.

However, bugs haven't completely disappeared. EA Javelin Anti-cheat has also brought new PC startup and compatibility issues. As for cheating, currently available information is insufficient to prove that FIFA 26 has completely solved the cheating problem. A more accurate assessment is that anti-cheat system continues to combat cheating and remains a significant source of technical problems for PC players.

Beyond these issues, realism remains a core problem for FC series. Compared to other deep football simulation games, the logic of Transfer AI, Youth Academy, Reserve System, Squad Building, and League Rules is not yet fully refined. Over long periods of simulation, team lineups, transfers, and league development can easily deviate from real-world football.

If FC 27 wants to further enhance the long-term value of Career Mode, it needs to create a more complete synergy between these systems, rather than simply adding new management functions.

Gameplay also needs continued optimization. FIFA 26 has already adjusted defense and interception; FUT 27 should continue to focus on AI positioning, defensive judgment, transitions between attack and defense, and passing logic, allowing match results to be determined more by tactics, player abilities, and player skill.

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Throughout the entire lifecycle of FC 26, it didn't change the series' core framework, but it made solid improvements in gameplay, stability, and some career mode features. The focus of FC 27 shifted from adding new content to further deepening the underlying systems of Gameplay, Simulation, and Career Mode.

With FC 27 about to launch on September 25th, EA recently rolled out Legacy Recap to FC 26 players, giving Ultimate Team players the opportunity to view their match data from World Tour Seasons. Currently, it displays data such as matches played, wins, win rate, shots on goal, and assists.

The significance of Legacy Recap goes beyond simply displaying a few numbers; it allows players to more intuitively understand how many matches they've played in FUT 26. However, some issues have arisen since its launch.

Which matches this recap tracks, which game modes it covers, and whether EA will continue to expand the statistical scope are currently topics of considerable interest in the community. Next, EZG will provide a detailed introduction to the function, access, and current statistical issues of FC 26 Legacy Recap.

Function

FC 26 Legacy Recap is not the only game developer to offer this personal data review feature. Similar designs are common in other games. For example, Valorant has Valorant Flashback, which organizes a player's match and hero usage data over a period.

Steam has Steam Replay, which records a player's playtime, frequently played games, and other activity data throughout the year. Fortnite also launched Fortnite Recap, allowing players to review their performance in a specific season.

While these features have different names, their core idea is essentially the same: to reorganize a player's generated game data into an easily viewable and shareable personal summary. Compared to Steam Replay, which provides annual statistics covering the entire gaming platform, FUT 26 Legacy Recap has a more focused scope, currently primarily revolving around World Tour Seasons 1-9.

Legacy Recap centralizes data that was originally scattered across different competitions and seasons. The number of matches played and wins achieved in the past ultimately becomes a reviewable FC 26 game record. It's more like a periodic FUT report card, allowing you to quickly understand your performance during that time and easily compare and share data with other players.

Entry Point

EA has placed Legacy Recap within FC Companion App. You can view your data through companion app. If you can't find Legacy Recap in Companion App, you can try EA's official Player Stats page, which also displays FC 26 player data.

However, some players have reported that Legacy Recap is not loading correctly. If you don't see Recap, it doesn't necessarily mean your account lacks the relevant data; there might be a problem with FIFA 26 page access or the function display itself. You can refresh the page and wait a while before trying again.

Issues

Furthermore, players in EA FC 26 community have discovered that Legacy Recap statistics don't necessarily perfectly match the actual game records. Some friendly matches may be counted in matches played, but the related goals and assists are not synchronized, so the numbers in recap are not a complete historical record.

This has raised questions among players regarding the statistical data: which FUT 26 matches will be included, which data will be calculated, and whether the same statistical rules apply to different modes - none of these are currently clearly defined. It would be more important for the developers to clarify the statistical scope and calculation rules before further expanding the functionality.

Statistical dimensions are also an area where Legacy Recap still has room for improvement. Current Legacy Recap data mainly focuses on basic metrics such as Matches Played, Wins, Win Rate, Shots on Goal, and Assists, lacking sufficient coverage of performance across original positions.

More granular data, such as successful tackles and blocks for defense, saves for goalkeepers, and passing and dribbling success rates, could be added. This would not only showcase FIFA 26 match results but also more intuitively reflect players' actual performance on both offense and defense.

The breakdown of Legacy Recap's statistical modes is also worth noting. If data from Squad Battles, Friendlies, Rivals, and Champions are all merged, the cumulative figures only indicate overall participation but cannot determine performance differences across different modes.

If FIFA 26 could record matches played, wins, goals, assists, etc., separately for each game mode, the recap would more closely resemble a complete season report card and facilitate cross-game comparisons.

Meanwhile, some players hope EA will extend similar data statistics to Ultimate Team player cards. Compared to simply displaying basic attributes, recording actual usage data like Matches Played and Goals for a card would more clearly reflect its convincing performance, making it more valuable to continuously track and record players acquired with FC 26 Coins and used long-term.

From this perspective, Legacy Recap exposes not just a limitation in data statistics, but also the long-standing problem of FC 26 lacking complete match records. Third-party statistical websites can provide more detailed data, but require additional searching and processing.

If EA could provide unified, accurate, and mode-categorized Lifetime Stats directly within FIFA 26, we wouldn't need to rely on external tools to track our long-term performance.

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Currently, Legacy Recap primarily serves as a periodic review of World Tour Seasons 1-9. As FC 26 continues to release new seasonal content, players will be watching to see if EA will continue to update Recap and incorporate new season data.

If this feature can be retained long-term and its statistical scope gradually expands, Legacy Recap could evolve from a onetime World Tour data summary into a personal data archive spanning one's entire FC career.

For FUT 26 players who value data comparison and results sharing, while it won't directly change the gameplay, it will truly preserve and solidify long-term accumulated match records.

In FC 26, many attacks fail not because of passing or dribbling problems, but because the opponent simply doesn't give you enough space. Especially against high-level players, the central and flank areas are usually blocked beforehand, and forcing the ball in only makes the attack more difficult.

Instead of passively waiting for space to appear, a more effective approach is to actively create it. Passing, running, and even the direction you face while holding the ball can all cause defenders to move. Once someone leaves their original position, new passing lanes and attacking spaces open up.

Therefore, when attacking, don't just focus on where to pass next; think about how to make the opponent move with you. The following four methods explain how to move the defensive line, open up the passing lane, and gradually create previously blocked attacking spaces in FC 26.

Moving Players Before Attacking

Many FC 26 players, when organizing from the back, instinctively look for forward through balls or ground passes when they see a teammate in the middle. However, if the opponent has already blocked the middle, continuing to attack through the middle actually walks right into their defensive trap.

You can first dribble the ball to the flanks, drawing the opponent's defensive line forward. For example, after passing to the full-back, the opponent can't completely ignore it; the wingers, midfielders, and even defensive midfielders will move towards that side, loosening the central positioning.

This may seem like a simple lateral pass, but the opponent's entire defensive formation has already begun to change. Players who were originally positioned in the middle are drawn to the flanks, naturally creating new passing lanes in the middle. Passing the ball back to the middle at this point often has a completely different effect.

You can think of the entire strategy as "pull outwards first, then attack inwards." If the middle is blocked, don't keep playing one-twos; instead, move the ball to another area, forcing the opponent's defensive formation to move with the ball, and then attack the positions exposed after their movement.

Creating a Passing Lane

In many situations, your teammate is already in an excellent position, but you still can't pass the ball directly to them. This situation usually occurs because a defender is positioned between the passer and receiver.

Many FC 26 players will forcefully press the pass button, hoping the ball will get past the defender. In high-level matches, that usually just gives possession away. Even a stronger midfield built with many FC 26 Coins won't help much if the passing lane itself is blocked, so changing the angle first is often the safer option.

Here you can use the classic Three-Man Build-Up. Suppose A has the ball, and C is the forward you're actually looking for, but there's a defender between A and C. Instead of passing directly from A to C, pass the ball to nearby B first, and then have B pass it to C.

This process seems like just one extra pass, but once the ball reaches B, the entire passing angle has changed. The defender initially blocked C based on A's position, but once the ball reaches B, the lanes he could originally cover may no longer be blocked.

Forcing Player Switches

Many FC 26 players believe that triggering a run is solely for sending through balls to running players. In high-level matches, a seemingly dangerous run can actually be a tool for manipulating the defense.

For example, your striker suddenly starts running behind the defensive line. The opponent must then decide whether to continue controlling the current player or switch to a center-back or full-back to chase the run. If they don't switch, they might be vulnerable to a thorough ball behind the defense.

Therefore, most players, when faced with an obvious deep run, will choose to cut in front of the ball. But in that instant, their attention shifts from the ball carrier to the running player.

This is your opportunity. The initial run's true purpose isn't to receive the ball, but to act as bait. Through a seemingly dangerous deep run, you force the opponent to shift their attention and control, then use the side they've neglected to launch an actual attack.

This entire maneuver might only waste half a second, but in FC 26, half a second is often enough to create an attacking advantage. If you've already completed the turn and pass, and the opponent is still switching defenders, then the initiative is naturally on your side.

Dragging Players Out of Position

The last technique is a crucial attacking mindset: don't always try to get past the defender; sometimes, all you need to do is draw them away.

Suppose your striker receives the ball just outside the penalty area, and the opponent immediately switches to a center-back to press. At this moment, you can deliberately dribble the ball away from the goal.

Because the opponent has decided to come out, they will often continue chasing you. With each step you take out, the center-back will move further out of his defensive line, creating more space behind him.

Once you find he's been pulled out far enough, you don't need to continue one-on-one with him. Simply pass the ball to a teammate nearby, allowing another striker or winger to attack the area behind the center-back.

The opponent's defensive line has been broken up. Previously, several defenders were neatly lined up; now, one has been deliberately pulled out, forcing the other defenders to cover. And as long as someone covers, new spaces will continue to appear elsewhere.

The most important point here is that you're not necessarily creating space for the player with the ball himself. Often, you're intentionally drawing a defender away to create space for another teammate.

This is an obvious difference in offensive understanding between skilled FC 26 players and average players. Average players only observe what's happening around the ball, while more experienced players observe how their movements affect other areas.

Once you start thinking this way, you won't be fixated on immediately dribbling past every defender you get the ball. As long as you've drawn the defender away from their ideal position, you've completed the most important part of the offensive move.

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Truly consistent offense comes from manipulating the defensive structure. When you start thinking about how to make the opponent move, instead of just thinking about how to move forward yourself, you've truly mastered the core of creating space in FC 26.

EA SPORTS FC 26 Ultimate Team's 97 Times Evolution is now live. The requirements for this Evolution are relatively simple, and any non-goalkeeper player with a rating below 97 can participate.

However, with a large number of eligible players, choosing the card that will maximize their upgrade is a major challenge for many players. Many players' lineups are already nearly complete, and the best choices vary depending on the position, from midfield maestro to finisher.

This guide will analyze the upgrade effects of 97 Times Evolution and recommend the most worthwhile players to invest in, helping players avoid wasting this upgrade opportunity.

It's important to note that 97 Times Evolution event ends on August 24th at 7 PM. Therefore, once you've set your goals, it's best to complete them as soon as possible, rather than waiting until the last day, to avoid missing the upgrade due to matches or other reasons.

97 Times Evolution

This FC 26 Evolution costs 5,000 FC 26 Coins to unlock and is divided into two phases, but the completion conditions are very easy.

Players simply need to include the target player in the starting lineup and complete one match to unlock the corresponding upgrade. There are no win/loss requirements, nor are there any additional tasks like scoring or assisting; it's essentially a purely perk activity.

The first stage primarily enhances the player's overall abilities. The overall rating increases by 4 points, reaching a maximum of 98. Passing, Defending, and Physical skills are all improved, and Weak Foot is also increased by 4 points.

The upgrades in the first stage are particularly valuable for midfielders. The simultaneous increase in Passing, Defending, and Physical skills allows players who are more focused on playmaking and ball control to perform better under physical challenges and defensive pressure.

This is especially beneficial for cards that already possess strong technical abilities; these enhancements further improve their overall versatility.

The second stage is more focused on the offensive end. Shooting, Dribbling, Acceleration, and Sprint Speed ​​are all increased by 4 points, along with 4 skill levels.

The upgrades in the second stage are more suitable for strikers and wingers. The simultaneous enhancements to speed, dribbling, and shooting will directly improve several of the most common issues in these positions: acceleration, evasion, and finishing efficiency.

Combined with skill level upgrades, the practical changes from this upgrade will be even more noticeable for players who rely on fancy moves to create space.

Strider and Attacker Selection

For forwards, the second stage of 97 Times Evolution offers the highest value.

The improvements to Kane TOTS are very direct. Those who play FC 26 know that Kane's shooting ability is top-notch, but his movement speed and dribbling have always limited his potential.

After this upgrade, his shooting ability reaches 97, while his speed and dribbling are improved, making him less cumbersome when participating in attacks outside the penalty area.

For players who prefer using a CAM, Bruno Fernandes TOTS is a good choice. His original playmaking and shooting abilities were already excellent, but his speed and agility limited his performance in the attacking third. This upgrade addresses these weaknesses, making him more effective at advancing and creating chances.

Odegaard Summer Stars aligns perfectly with the improvements in this Evolution update. His passing and dribbling were already strong; the increased speed compensates for his previous slower movement, making him more adept at handling the ball in the attacking third.

Yildiz TOTS is more popular with younger players. If Yildiz's speed and dribbling are raised to a higher level, he will be more agile on the wings and in the attacking midfield position.

Midfield Choices

Attacking Midfielders

If you already have a top-tier midfielder in your squad, this Evolution update for FC 26 should prioritize giving him that card.

Zidane Winter Wildcards is an excellent choice. This card already possesses strong game influence, with excellent passing, ball control, and physicality. With higher skill levels, he will have more space to deal with defending players in the attacking third.

Gullit Trophy Titans is also a popular choice for midfielders. Players like Gullit are well-suited for Evolution because their fundamental abilities are very balanced; any attribute improvements translate into improved performance in matches. A little more speed, smoother dribbling, and a wider range of technical moves will make him more impactful in midfield.

Modric TOTS might not be the most popular choice, but the improvements in this Evolution perfectly match his characteristics. Many players seek speed-oriented midfielders, but Modric, as a playmaker, remains very strong in possession-based systems.

Raising Passing to 98 in the first stage will make Modric more consistent in possession and forward runs for players who prefer short passing to orchestrate attacks.

Bonmati TOTY also aligns perfectly with the improvements in this Evolution. Her greatest strengths were already her technique and agility; with the speed increase, she becomes even harder to defend against in central breakthroughs and forward runs. If your playstyle leans towards a smaller, faster, and more agile style, this card will be more effective than many larger midfielders.

Defending Midfielders

Many players immediately think of attacking players when they see 97 Times Evolution, but defending midfielders also offer wonderful benefits.

Rice TOTS is already an excellent defensive midfielder. Improving his Defending attribute will further enhance FC 26 players' central protection capabilities. For formations like 4-4-2 and 4-3-2-1 that require a single defensive midfielder to cover a large area, Rice will become even more reliable.

Joao Neves Phenoms follows a similar approach. While his physical attributes may be weaker than some top-tier CDMs, improved overall attributes make him a versatile midfielder capable of both attack and defense.

Bellingham Star Performer is a relatively safe choice. He's already a very well-rounded card, and this upgrade further minimizes his weaknesses, making him suitable for players who prefer boxy midfielders.

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The right choice for 97 Times Evolution will vary from player to player. With most squads already filled with powerful cards at the end of FC 26, the biggest difference comes from whether the upgrade improves a player's role on the pitch. A well-chosen Evolution can still make a noticeable impact on your final squad.

FC 27 will be released on September 25, 2026, marking the end of FC 26, which, in retrospect, was undoubtedly one of the most controversial seasons in the series' recent history. The game started promisingly, showcasing a bold new direction, but was subsequently overshadowed by a familiar sense of frustration, leaving players with a complex situation.

Now, FC 26 is about to embark on the final leg of its cycle. Let's take a look back at what happened this season.

A Good Start

FC 26 was released in September 2025 to great acclaim. At the time, the game's biggest highlight was the introduction of two distinct game modes: Competitive for online modes and Authentic for offline experiences.

This division addressed a long-standing complaint from the player community - the fast-paced, arcade-style gameplay of Ultimate Team mode had, for years, undermined the enjoyment of the single-player career mode.

FIFA 26 not only boasts more responsive dribbling, smoother passing, and significantly improved goalkeeper AI, but also the noteworthy Authentic Gameplay, where weather, fatigue, and individual stats truly take effect. Players have overwhelmingly praised this new content.

Meanwhile, Career Mode has undergone its most radical overhaul in years, adding Real-Time Manager Challenges, improving the youth academy system, and optimizing AI ​​transfer mechanism. This seems to be the first time in a long time that EA has truly listened to the player community's voice.

Furthermore, Ultimate Team mode had a strong start. The player evolution system is more flexible, and a goalkeeper evolution system has been introduced for the first time. Later, the return of the knockout stage and the new Challenge Mode provided players with more competitive options beyond Rivals and Champions modes. All of this has delighted players.

Mid-Season Collapse

FIFA 26 had a very good start, but it didn't seem to maintain that momentum. Many players quickly fell into a slump mid-season. Why was this? I believe the key turning point occurred during the patch update cycle. 

EA may have been too eager to respond to player complaints, significantly enhancing AI defense while weakening the game's signature early-game manual defense mechanics. This resulted in a return to the auto-tackling and blocking system that players had grown tired of in previous installments.

The gameplay then became increasingly predictable, with matches easily dominated by strong tactical styles. Features like Bruiser and Finesse Shot became so crucial that they distorted player team selection and limited player autonomy.

While these issues frustrated players, the real cause of player attrition was FC 26's aggressive monetization model. EA locked the coveted Icons and Heroes into the season pass, requiring players to spend a significant amount of FUT 26 Coins to acquire them.

Furthermore, EA nerfed the rewards for Rivals and Champions modes, which seems intentional, designed to force players to spend coins trading for card packs. The transfer market, once the lifeblood of Ultimate Team, has become almost meaningless due to its complex evolution chains and the overabundance of high-rated players.

Late-Season Redemption

As FC 26 drew to a close, it introduced two important features that won back some players. Season 8, themed around National Pride and in anticipation of 2026 World Cup, introduced the new PlayStyles Lab. Players could customize cards by manually assigning traits, injecting new strategy into team building.

In FUT Season 10, Endgame FUTTIES event attracted a wave of returning players. In addition, the developers introduced an unprecedented benefit: Carryover Reward system. Players who reached level 30 in FUT 26 and completed designated tasks could unlock card packs, coins, and even evolution consumables for use in the next season.

This gave the late-game grind a tangible goal, ensuring active players could gain an advantage in the next cycle. This can also be seen as a form of promotion for the new title, since I've noticed that many longtime FIFA 26 players don't seem particularly keen on getting FUT 27.

Final Review

Currently, FUT in Review community rates FUT 26 between 6.25 and 7.25, a significant drop from the initial 8 points in the first few weeks. This perfectly encapsulates this season: a game with immense potential, ruined by its subsequent decisions, and then frantically trying to make up for it later.

EA FC 26's improvements to Career Mode and its innovative handling of game presets are indeed progress. However, its aggressive monetization model and gradual weakening of the early game's core concepts ultimately proved unacceptable to a weary player base.

I believe that the business model centered around matches is becoming increasingly unsustainable. EA should always remember its player-centric philosophy, listen to player feedback, and address the game's shortcomings so that the series can continue to thrive.

This concludes our summary of FIFA 26. If you'd like to know more, follow EZG Facebook. We'll be giving away resources from time to time to help you quickly accumulate them. Participating is simple: just @ your friends in the comments section below our Facebook page. Come join us!

EA tried to make FC 26 great, but ultimately disappointed players. With less than a month until FUT 27's release, I'm both excited and apprehensive. I hope EA can deliver a stunning game, but I'm also afraid it won't meet our expectations. It's truly worrying.