EA Sports FC 26 Launches September 26 with Ibrahimović, Bellingham, and Musiala Leading the Line

Electronic Arts has officially revealed EA Sports FC 26, the next chapter in its global football franchise, launching September 26 across nearly every major platform—PlayStation 4 & 5, Xbox One & Series X|S, Nintendo Switch 2, PC (Steam and Epic Games Store), and Amazon Luna. Players who opt for the Ultimate Edition will get a full week of early access starting September 19.

The cover stars this year spotlight a blend of legendary presence and rising talent. Jude Bellingham and Jamal Musiala headline the Standard Edition, while football icon Zlatan Ibrahimović graces the Ultimate Edition.

EA Sports FC 26 introduces multiple gameplay presets tailored to different playstyles. The Authentic Gameplay mode focuses on realism, fine-tuned for Career Mode, while the Competitive Gameplay setting emphasizes fast-paced, responsive play for modes like Football Ultimate Team and Clubs.

Ultimate Team sees several expansions this year, including Live Events, Tournament Modes, and reworked Rivals and Champs structures. Players will also notice improved dribbling, smarter goalkeeper AI, enhanced animations, and refined positioning mechanics across the pitch.

Manager Career gets a dynamic refresh with Manager Live, introducing real-world-inspired challenges and branching scenarios that can unfold over minutes or entire seasons. Players can take control of career-defining moments, with live updates aligning the game world more closely with real-world football.

For Clubs and Player Career, a new Archetypes system debuts—drawing inspiration from legendary players and introducing distinct playstyles through attribute upgrades and perk systems. This feature allows for deeper player identity and more personalized progression.

EA Sports FC 26 also continues the franchise’s legacy of authenticity, boasting over 20,000 real-world players, more than 750 teams, 120 stadiums, and representation from 35+ top leagues, thanks to over 300 licensed football partners.

The game includes optional in-game purchases using virtual currency that may unlock randomized content.