EA Sports FC 26 Review — Fresh Features or More of the Same?

EA Sports FC 26 arrives as the next evolution in the long-running football simulation series. With updated visuals, refined gameplay mechanics, and mode improvements, it aims to deliver both familiarity and evolution—but it’s a mixed bag in some areas.

What’s Fresh

• Enhanced ball physics make passing, dribbling, and aerials feel more realistic.

• Visual upgrades include more detailed player faces, improved stadium lighting, and richer crowds.

• Mode updates: Club mode gets tweaks to customization and management interfaces; Pro Clubs adds new training tools.

• Cross-platform progression gets more polish, especially between console and PC.

What Remains

• Some animations still feel recycled from previous versions.

• AI sometimes over-compensates on defensive behavior, leading to inconsistent challenge.

• Online stability is solid, but setup of tournaments and certain modes can lag in matchmaking.

• Microtransactions and monetization (e.g. Ultimate Team) still draw criticism regarding cost vs value.

Performance

On modern consoles and high-end PCs, frame rates and graphics hold up well. On mid-range hardware, there’s a more noticeable drop in texture or shadow detail. Load times have improved, however.

Verdict

EA Sports FC 26 offers enough new features and polish to make it worth considering for fans of the genre. If you value authenticity, modes depth, and a soccer sim feel, you’ll find much to enjoy. But if you expect a radical overhaul, this one plays it a bit safer. Still, it’s a solid entry that mostly delivers.