EA Sports FC 26: New Features, Leaks & Everything You Need to Know

EA Sports FC 26 is the next highly anticipated entry in EA Sports’ long-running football simulation franchise. Set for release on September 26, 2025, the game will launch across all major platforms, including PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and Windows PC. As the third title under the EA Sports FC banner—and the 33rd overall in EA’s football lineage—this installment represents a critical step in the series' evolution following its departure from the FIFA brand.
With the rebranding now in full swing, FC 26 aims to solidify its independent identity by building on the foundations laid by FC 24. Players can expect refined gameplay mechanics, enhanced visuals, and deeper tactical systems, all designed to elevate realism and immersion. EA has also teased expanded career mode options, a more dynamic Ultimate Team experience, and new online features aimed at boosting long-term engagement.
As competition in the football gaming genre intensifies and fans demand fresh innovation, EA Sports FC 26 bears the challenge of proving that the franchise can not only survive but thrive without the FIFA name. With New Features ahead of its release, many are wondering: could FC 26 be the game that finally redefines the future of virtual football?
Before diving into FC 26, if you’re still progressing through your career in FC 25, don’t forget to stock up on FUT Coins for some big advantages. The safest and most affordable place to buy FC Coins is mrgeek.net—offering players a reliable way to top up while saving money.

Open World Mode: A Fresh Take on Football Gameplay

After much speculation, leaks have confirmed that EA Sports FC 26 will introduce an open-world mode called Virtual Playground. Inspired by NBA 2K’s MyPark, this feature lets players use custom avatars to compete in urban environments like street courts, alleys, and rooftops.
Designed to blend casual and competitive play, the mode emphasizes creativity, individual skill, and social interaction. While still in development with no confirmed release date, Virtual Playground is shaping up to be one of the most exciting additions to the FC series yet.

Career Mode: A New Era of Realism

This might be one of the most significant changes coming to Career Mode! Imagine your team captain in Career Mode asking you at halftime for permission to give a motivational talk to the players—or even suggesting that a specific young talent should be given more playtime. In other words, each player and team member will have their own unique AI, capable of reacting and behaving in their own way.
EA has emphasized that thanks to the generative AI technology they've developed, they can now depict more realistic interactions among team members. This could affect every aspect of team dynamics—for example, during transfer season, you might see authentic emotional responses from a player who's received a tempting offer.
Each character in your squad will now follow their own professional journey, paving the way for one of the most dynamic and lifelike Career Mode experiences ever in EA Sports FC 26.

Liga BBVA MX Returns to EA Sports FC 26

After a notable absence since FIFA 22, Liga BBVA MX is officially making its return in EA Sports FC 26, marking a major licensing shift. With the end of its exclusive partnership with eFootball, EA Sports has reclaimed one of the most passionate and competitive leagues in the Americas. Fans can look forward to playing with iconic clubs like Club América, Chivas, Cruz Azul, and Tigres, along with the return of the legendary Estadio Azteca. This long-awaited comeback not only restores Mexican football to the franchise but also reinforces EA’s push for authenticity and depth in its latest installment.

Ultimate Team Weekend League Gets a Revamp in FC 26

The beloved Weekend League in FC Ultimate Team is undergoing major changes in EA Sports FC 26. The mode will now be divided into two tiers—Challengers (for Divisions 6–10) and Champions (for Division 5 and above)—making matchmaking more balanced and competitive. Qualification will happen automatically through Division Rivals, eliminating the need for separate qualifiers and streamlining the path to Weekend League.
Beyond that, Ultimate Team will see exciting updates, including new Icons like Arjen Robben, Toni Kroos, and Maradona, alongside fresh FUT Heroes and more dynamic in-game events, all designed to keep the experience engaging and rewarding for players at every level.

Gameplay evolution

After years of issues, EA is reportedly ready to fix major gameplay problems once and for all, aiming for a fair, skill-based experience. Promises of a more stable, optimized version come every year, but bugs and frustration remain common. Key fixes focus on the defensive system, with leakers saying serious improvements are underway. The overused "Constant Pressure" tactic will be limited to improve balance, and through balls have been adjusted to feel more realistic. Rumors also point to better goalkeeper performance, though we’ll wait for official confirmation from EA.

Say Hello to Real VAR

A new feature called Real World Moments is coming to EA FC 26, allowing players to watch key Premier League highlights and review referee decisions through Instant Replay—essentially bringing VAR into the game. Though details are limited, this feature aligns with the game’s release at the start of the football season. EA likely aims to make it a go-to referee reference for Premier League fans, boosting engagement and revenue.
Crossplay and FUT Moments Might Be Dropped in EA Sports FC 26
Reports suggest that EA might remove crossplay support in EA Sports FC 26, particularly between PC and consoles. The likely reason is ongoing cheating issues on PC, which negatively affect console players' experience. While removing crossplay might hurt matchmaking in smaller games, EA FC's massive player base likely won’t face the same issue.
In addition, the FUT Moments mode may also be cut. Previously allowing players to complete short challenges based on historic football events, the mode received mixed feedback—some found it fun, others saw it as repetitive. Its removal after three years would let EA focus more resources on the game’s most-played features.

New Heroes and PlayStyles Incoming

Although EA hinted at a big World Cup-related deal, FC 26 won’t include a full tournament mode due to the lack of FIFA rights—expect any World Cup content to stay within Ultimate Team promos.
On the upside, eight new Hero cards are coming, including stars like Fàbregas, Cambiasso, and Mandžukić. Plus, updated PlayStyles like Enforcer, Aerial Fortress, Trailblazer, and Inventive will bring fresh tactical variety to gameplay.

Conclusion

EA Sports FC 26 is shaping up to be a bold leap forward for the franchise—one that blends innovation with long-requested fixes. From overhauled gameplay mechanics and enhanced Career Mode realism to exciting new features like Virtual Playground and Real-World Moments, EA is clearly aiming to redefine the virtual football experience without the FIFA name. While some features like Crossplay and FUT Moments may be cut, major additions such as revamped Weekend League tiers, new Icons and Heroes, and smarter AI promise deeper immersion and more balanced competition. Whether you’re a Career Mode enthusiast, FUT grinder, or casual fan, FC 26 looks ready to kick off a new era of football gaming.