Every year, EA FC players see some big changes as the new installment arrives. With FC 26 around the corner, some familiar faces from FC 25 won’t be returning. The reasons vary—retirements, injuries, licensing issues—but the absence of these stars will definitely be felt by fans.
In this article, we’ll look at six iconic footballers who featured in FC 25 but will not appear in FC 26, and the reasons behind their absence.
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6 Star Players from FC 25 That Won’t Return in FC 26
Mats Hummels – Retirement
One of the best center-backs of modern football and a Borussia Dortmund legend, Mats Hummels ended his career at 36 after a short spell at AS Roma.
- Achievements: Multiple Bundesliga titles, 2014 World Cup winner.
- Last Card in FC 25: End-of-an-Era Card with top-tier defensive stats.
Expect Hummels to possibly return as an Icon or Hero card in the future—but not in FC 26.
Dries Mertens – Retirement
The Belgian forward, famous for his spell at SSC Napoli, scored 113 goals in 295 games for the Italian side. At 38, Dries Mertens retired after playing for Galatasaray.
- Last Card in FC 25: TOTS Honourable Mentions (94)—a fan favorite.
Mertens’ creativity and agility will definitely be missed in FC 26.
Ivan Rakitić – Retirement
Known for his time at Barcelona, where he won four league titles and a Champions League, Ivan Rakitić ended his career at Hajduk Split at the age of 38.
- Last Card in FC 25: A standard Gold Card (80) that many skipped.
Despite fading in later years, Rakitić remains a beloved figure among fans.
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Jesús Navas – Retirement
A Sevilla legend and former Manchester City star, Jesús Navas ended his incredible career at 39.
- Major Titles: Premier League, multiple Europa Leagues.
- Last Card in FC 25: End-of-an-Era Card (88) with solid pace and crossing.
His consistency and leadership will be hard to replace.
Raphaël Varane – Injury-Forced Retirement
The former Real Madrid and Manchester United defender shocked fans when he announced his retirement at just 31 after a severe injury at Como.
- Achievements: 4 Champions League titles, 2018 World Cup winner.
- Last Card in FC 25: End-of-an-Era Card (87)—a dominant defender till the end.
Neymar Jr. Missing Due to Licensing Issues
One of the most shocking absences in FC 26 is Neymar Jr.—the Brazilian superstar and former PSG icon.
Why is Neymar not in FC 26?
The reason is not personal image rights, but rather club and league licensing. Neymar currently plays for Santos FC in the Brazilian league, which is not officially licensed by EA FC.
- Key Point: Neymar is still under contract and actively playing, but EA cannot include him without the proper league rights.
- Additional Factor: Neymar is also an ambassador for eFootball, EA’s main competitor, which might reinforce this absence.
Why Are These Players Missing in FC 26?
Before diving into the names, let’s quickly understand the main reasons why players disappear between versions:
- Licensing Issues: Some players and leagues are not licensed for FC 26, leading to the removal of entire teams and stars—even globally recognized names like Neymar Jr.
- Retirement: Many footballers decide to hang up their boots after long and successful careers. This year, legends like Mats Hummels and Jesús Navas said goodbye to the game.
- Career-Ending Injuries: Sometimes, players retire earlier than expected due to severe injuries, like Raphaël Varane, who ended his career sooner than anyone anticipated.
How Will This Impact FC 26 Players and Fans?
The absence of these stars will affect Ultimate Team squads, especially those who relied on legendary defenders like Hummels or attackers like Neymar and Mertens. It also highlights EA’s licensing challenges, which may lead players to look for alternative leagues or new stars to fill these gaps.
