It’s been a year since EA Sports FC 25 came out on September 27, 2025, on consoles and PC. It brought about many major changes and additions to the game, including new modes, enhanced graphics, improved Career mode, Ultimate Team enhancements, and more. Now, it’s time for EA Sports FC 26 to take over. Featuring modes, teams, and upgrades never seen in an FC game before, FC 26 promises to be the most realistic football simulation game ever. With that being said, let’s take a closer look at the major improvements and differences while comparing EA FC 25 vs FC 26.
EA FC 26 vs EA FC 25: What’s Different?
With FC 26 on the horizon, players are eager to know what’s really new. After FC 25, many players want more, and EA is promising big changes. But is it a true game-changer or just another yearly update? This year, the focus is on a more authentic feel, with smarter AI, more responsive dribbling, and separate gameplay modes for online and offline play. Let’s break down whether the new features in FC 26 truly set it apart from its predecessor.
Gameplay Modes
The first major addition we get to see in EA FC 26 is the new gameplay modes, called Competitive and Authentic. This is something that is happening for the first time in a FIFA/ FC game. The former mode works as a gameplay preset for online modes like Ultimate Teams and Clubs. While the latter will serve as a default for offline modes like Manager and Player Career.
Competitive gameplay mode is for those who prefer fast and dynamic football. If you are someone who is good with skilled timing and quick decision-making, then this mode is for you. And one thing, players must know about this mode, is that it favors speed and responsiveness over realism. Providing greater control on the pitch and ensuring a smoother, more consistent gameplay experience.
On the other hand, the Authentic gameplay mode is built to deliver a true-to-life and more realistic simulation that closely mirrors the flow of a real football match. It aims to capture the same pace and unpredictability that make football exciting. At the same time, remaining responsive but slower than Football Ultimate Team matches. The
High Contrast Mode
Again, this is something that we will get to see for the first time in an FC game. A High Contrast mode, which will turn the pitch and players into contrasting colors, helping you to see and plan your moves more clearly. As well as this mode won’t change the gameplay in EA FC 26 in any way; this mode is just for better visuals on the ball and players. You can turn this mode on or off in the Accessibility section. Moreover, you can also customize this mode by adjusting colors, saturation, shadows, and more according to your preferences.
Community-Inspired Changes In EA FC 26
This time, EA has tried to bring a lot of changes to the game based on community feedback. These include:
- New Player Abilities: Five new traits are available: Enforcer (strong tackler), Aerial Fortress (good in the air), Precision Header (accurate headers), Gamechanger (game-changing moments), and Inventive (creative plays).
- Removed Abilities: Four old traits have been taken out: Power Header, Aerial, Trivela, and Flair.
- Player Speed: FC 26 features three main speed types: Explosive (quick burst), Lengthy (fast over long distances), and Controlled (balanced).
- New Player Positions: Four new roles are added: Ball-Playing Keeper (starts attacks), Wide Back (adds width), Inverted Wingback (cuts inside), and Box Crasher (makes late runs into the box).
- Player Focus: A new ‘Versatile’ focus replaces ‘Complete’, and there are 10 new focus options for existing roles.
- New Set Piece Tactics: Two new plans for attacking corners and four for defending corners have been added.
- New Skill Moves: Fresh tricks include the Explosive Stepover, Advanced Heel Flick, Drag To Chop, a new Elastico, and the Trickster Rainbow..
Other Additions
- New Stadiums: With over 170 stadiums, including some great ones from across the world, FC 26 is taking the immersion to new heights. Among the most notable new stadiums in FC 26 is the Inter Miami Chase Stadium. Alongside the return of the infamous Maradona Stadium, which was absent in FC 25.
- New Free Kick Camera Angle: A new camera angle for free kicks has been introduced in FC 26 to bring players closer to the action. This provides a better view for lining up shots, adding more depth to the gameplay.
- New Playstyles: New player archetypes are being introduced in FC 26 to add more nuance to matches. These include Precision Header, Aerial Fortress, Gamecher, Inventive, and Enforcer, which were not present in FC 25.
- New Player Roles: To further diversify gameplay, new player roles like the Ball Playing Keeper and the Box Crashing CDM will be available, making matches more unpredictable.
- New Shot Type: You can now perform a powerful shot that stays low to the ground.
Gameplay Improvements: FC 26 vs FC 25
- Better Dribbling: Dribbling is more responsive and better in FC 26 than FC 25. Allowing for quicker and more explosive movements. The system now considers a player’s skill and stronger foot, making ball control feel more natural.
- Improved Player Movement: Players no longer feel as “sluggish” or “heavy.” They can now accelerate more explosively in any direction. The game better reflects the speed difference between attackers and defenders.
- Physicality Reworked: Shielding the ball has been completely redone for more consistency and authentic physical battles. A new “Contested Box Outs” feature allows stronger players to hold off opponents when fighting for an aerial ball.
- More Responsive Passing: Passes, especially first-time passes, are quicker and more responsive. The game allows for a wider range of passing angles.
- Improved Through Balls: Through passes now have better target selection and will lead the receiving player more effectively.
- Shooting Options: More options are available for shooting to make it feel more responsive.
- Better Physics: The game has improved physics to reduce frustrating moments, like players getting stuck on each other or on a fallen player.
AI Changes in FC 26
- Smarter Teammates: The AI for your teammates is improved, so they will position themselves better on the field during a match.
- Reduced AI Stamina: AI-controlled players will get tired more realistically, adding a new layer of challenge.
- Smarter Lineups: In Career Mode, the AI will automatically pick the best-performing players for your team’s lineup.
- Better Goalkeepers: The AI for goalkeepers has been updated to make them more effective. This makes goalkeepers better at handling and decision-making in FC 26 than in FC 25.
FUT (Ultimate Team) Changes in FC 26
- Pro Clubs Integration: You can now access and compete in FC Pro tournaments directly from the Ultimate Team menu. Something which players were not able to do in FC 25.
- Challengers Weekend League: A new Weekend League is introduced for players in lower divisions, offering a new path to competitive play. Additionally, playoffs for the main Champions tier have been removed from FC 26.
- Live Gauntlets: This is a new mode where you must use a different squad for a series of up to five matches. Here, winning more matches will help you earn better rewards.
- Linked Events: These are new multi-stage competitions within Ultimate Team that work with the Gauntlets mode, requiring strategic squad building. They might also offer a second chance to qualify if you don’t succeed initially.
- Fair Matchmaking: FUT mode in FC 26 now has new seasonal goals and fairer matchmaking for a better experience and to make it less of a grind.
To build an outstanding Football Ultimate Team, buy FC 26 Points at the cheapest price from Driffle.
Leagues and Licensing
- Extensive Licensing: FC 26 features over 20,000 players, 750+ clubs, 35+ leagues, and 170+ stadiums. More than ever in any FC game, making it one of the major selling points.
- Major Leagues: The game features fully licensed top-tier leagues, including the Premier League, La Liga, Serie A, Bundesliga, and Ligue 1, with authentic broadcast packages.
- South American Football: The CONMEBOL Libertadores, Sudamericana, and Recopa are included in FC 26. This allows players to use major South American clubs, such as River Plate and Boca Juniors, in a more authentic setting.
- Expanded Women’s Football: The game significantly expands its women’s football content, with fully licensed leagues. These include the Barclays Women’s Super League, Liga F, Google Pixel Frauen-Bundesliga, and the NWSL. The UEFA Women’s Champions League is also fully integrated with custom branding and commentary.
Smaller Changes
- UI Tweaks: The user interface has been updated with features like out-of-position indicators and an easier-to-understand tactics chart.
- Cleaner Tackles: When you make a successful tackle, the ball is more likely to stick to your player’s foot instead of bouncing back to the opponent.
- Improved Interceptions: Similar to tackling, when you intercept a pass, the ball is more likely to be controlled by your player.
Summary
EA FC 26 finally comes out on September 26, 2025, on PC and consoles. With major changes, new modes, skills, moves, and more, it promises to be the best FC game ever. FC 26 brings many new things compared to FC 25. It has new Competitive and Authentic modes for different play styles. Gameplay is better with improved dribbling, smarter AI teammates, and better goalkeepers. Ultimate Team adds new ways to compete, like the Challengers Weekend League and Gauntlets mode. Additionally, the game also includes more real-world leagues, teams, and stadiums, making it feel very authentic.
What other differences come to mind when you compare EA FC 26 vs EA FC 25? Let us know in the comments below, and for more gaming news, guides, tips, and more, make sure to check out Driffle Blog.
