EA Sports FC 26 Review – THIS IS FOOTBALL

EA has returned to the pitch with a vengeance. This year’s entry doesn’t just fix the series’ past issues, it redefines what the franchise can be, delivering the most realistic, rewarding and downright addictive football experience to date.

Has It Ever Been This Good?

Aside from the typical visual glitches and goofy goofs from the goalkeeper here and there, the dribbling, passing and movement are immaculately dialled in and responsive. Threading that perfect through ball feels so bloody good, tricking around defenders is a blast, and shielding is a lot more reliable this year round, with less wild ricochet tackles like a busted pinball machine. I haven’t felt that “I can’t score on this version of FIFA, man. It’s BS!” kinda feeling as I usually do at first, which goes to show how intuitive the gameplay is.

At the same time, the Authentic and Competitive modes help to keep the on-pitch action catered to two very specific audiences. EA just said “Stuff it. Give the people what they want” instead of trying to split the difference, where both modes have a distinct tempo between them that you’ll sooner or later side with one over the other. Authentic is a slower-paced, true-to-life experience, whereas Competitive is even faster than the online modes were like last year. The Competitive pace is the one I was drawn to the most, though both have their own merits.

The new Precision Dribbling mechanic is another highlight, allowing for subtle feints, shoulder drops, and quick pivots that make one-on-one battles feel incredibly dynamic. Meanwhile, the AI positioning has seen massive improvements. Midfielders now read play far more intelligently, fullbacks track back with purpose, and strikers make genuinely smart runs that demand your attention, even if defenders can make a few silly errors here and there.

Lively Careers

I’m still salty after all these years that EA won’t include online co-op manager mode… But! The new changes are pretty awesome-tacular. Manager Live keeps things fresh by creating custom challenges for players to overcome, while Unexpected Events is exactly what it sounds like. That famous quote “life’s what happens while you’re making other plans” is pretty spot on here, as your team or manager has to deal with whatever awkwardness gets in their way. You can even suss out other managers to see if they’re about to get fired and then slide right into the clubs’ DMs. They definitely weren’t lying about realism this year, that’s for sure.

Player growth feels natural, and the new Dynamic Training Regime means you’re constantly adjusting strategies based on upcoming fixtures or player fatigue. It’s satisfying to see your young academy prospect break into the first team and actually perform like the player you’ve molded—and now we can finally play the Youth Tournaments in co-op! Don’t know why they didn’t include this before, but woo-hoo!

On the visual side of things, FC 26 looks phenomenal. The updated Frostbite engine delivers lifelike stadiums, realistic lighting, and even finer player detail, right down to facial expressions when they miss a sitter. Commentary has improved as well, featuring dynamic back-and-forths that more accurately reflect your performance in real time. Plus, the Rush commentator doesn’t sound like he’s having several strokes mid-match. I’ve never seen someone get so excited about the most generic shots on target, but now it’s a lot more appropriate.

Decision

After years of ups and downs, EA Sports has finally nailed it. FC 26 is everything fans have been asking for: polished gameplay, rich modes, smart AI, fair progression and an authentic footballing soul. Whether you’re crafting your club in Career Mode or just having a quick match with mates, every part of this package shines.

By Anthony Culinas – Reviewed on PS5

Must Have

This isn’t just a great football game, it’s a statement of intent. EA is back on top form and football has never been this good.

This game was reviewed using a download code provided by EA. The Beta Network uses affiliate partnerships, however, this does not influence reviews or any other content published. The Beta Network may earn commissions for products purchased via affiliate links that are on the website.