EA Sports FC 26 is set to launch worldwide on September 26, 2025, with Ultimate Edition owners getting early access starting September 19. Pre-orders for the Ultimate Edition closed on August 26 and included rewards such as early ICONs, FC Points, extra evolution slots, and a Season 1 Premium Pass.
The game will be available on PC, PlayStation 4 and 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch and Switch 2, and Amazon Luna. It runs on the Frostbite engine, with Switch 2 receiving support for HyperMotion V for smoother animations.
FC 26 introduces two distinct gameplay styles: Competitive for fast-paced online play in Ultimate Team and Clubs, and Authentic for more realistic Career Mode action. Gameplay improvements include better dribbling, smarter positioning, improved goalkeepers, and new Archetypes that act as customizable player classes with unique perks.
Ultimate Team features major upgrades, including revamped Live Events, a new Gauntlets mode, changes to Rivals and Champions rewards, and more robust Evolutions. Disconnects are now handled more fairly, and visual styles carry over when upgrading players.
Career Mode adds Manager Live Challenges, deeper simulation, improved scouting, and more dynamic in-game events. Archetypes also carry over into Career Mode, giving players more control over their development path.
Esports will see FC Pro Season 3, which includes an Open Ladder for in-game qualification, a Global Qualifier event, and updated World Rankings.
The game carries more than 20,000 licensed players, 750 clubs and national teams, and over 35 leagues, including the Champions League, Europa League, Europa Conference League, Women’s Champions League, Premier League, Bundesliga, La Liga, Ligue 1, Serie A, Copa Libertadores, and NWSL.
Cover athletes are Zlatan Ibrahimović for the Ultimate Edition, with Jude Bellingham and Jamal Musiala on the Standard Editions.
On PlayStation, FC 26 features 44 trophies including a platinum, with challenges like winning a treble or fielding three ICONs or Heroes.
FC 26 Official Reveal Trailer
@https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TSi0iJYSQ24
