In more than 2 months, EA Sports FC 26 will be published that many football and game fans wait. Read here, among other things, which innovations there are, where you can find the gameplay trailer and info about the pre-order.
Most important highlights:
• Release date worldwide: 26 September 2025, with Early Access from September 19
• Jude Bellingham and Jamal Musiala together on the global cover of EA Sports FC 26
• First gameplay images revealed in new trailer, with a focus on improvements based on feedback from the community
• New manager career concept ‘manager live’, plus archetypes for deeper player development
• FC Feedback gives fans a direct voice in the development of the game
View the trailer: EA Sports FC 26 reveal trailer
Bellingham, Musiala and Zlatan
Bellingham and Musiala join Zlatan Ibrahimović, who was already announced earlier this week as the Coverster of the Ultimate Edition of EA Sports FC 26. Together they herald a new chapter that revolves around feedback from the FC community. For Bellingham it is a return to the cover after his debut last year, while Musiala is the very first player of FC Bayern Munich who once adorns a global FC cover.
“It is really special to share this moment with Jamal, as a reflection of how far we got together. I still remember that we used to be in the room with the English youth team as teammates and then endlessly played the game,” says Real Madrid midfielder Jude Bellingham. “Everyone at my home knows and plays the game. The fact that I can be on the cover again means a lot to me.”
“When I heard that I would be on the cover, it was really bizarre. I immediately thought: how am I going to tell my brother? He is a big fan, so this is a nice surprise for him,” says Bayern Munich star Jamal Musiala. “It has always been a dream of mine and it is such a big part of the football culture. Who knows, maybe I will beat Jude in FC later.”
EA FC 26 Innovations
EA Sports FC 26 introduces innovations in the full gameplay experience based on feedback from the community, including:
• Improved gameplay Fundamentals – FC 26 feels tighter and smoother with improved dribbles, adapted running curves for more explosive movements, new goalkeeper positioning thanks to Reinforcement learning, close-body volumetric animations and more versatile playstyles and player roles.
• Authentic and competitive presets – The new competitive gameplay preset offers more consistency and reaction speed for Football Ultimate Team and Clubs. The Authentic Preset brings a more realistic experience in Career.
• Manager Career gets a live upgrade – With the brand new manager Live you are in the middle of the promotion. Via a dynamic live hub you get variable challenges, linked to the real football world. This mode comes alongside Original Career and Live Start Points.
• Archetypes make their debut – Inspired by the greats of the earth, Archetypes introduce new classes in clubs and player Career. Upgrade your skills, unlock perks and give your player a unique style on the field.
• New Live Events and Tournament Fodes – Put your ultimate team to the test in Fut with brand new live events, tournaments and a renewed rivals and champs experience.
• Striking authenticity – With more than 20,000 athletes, 750+ clubs, 120+ stadiums and 35+ competitions, FC 26 brings the most authentic football to life thanks to the collaboration with 300+ worldwide football partners.
Community receives FC Feedback Platform
To set the community more central, EA Sports launches the new FC Feedback platform. This initiative gives players a direct influence on the evolution of EA Sports FC and builds on a year full of features formed by input from players. Via the Player Feedback Portal, Community Design Councils, the official FC Discord Server, Forums and Social Media, fans can think about the future of the game.
FC Mobile celebrates Coverreveal
From 17 to 31 July, players from EA Sports FC Mobile will receive a special 102 OVR Jude Bellingham and Jamal Musiala Player Item. Zlatan Ibrahimović also returns to FC Mobile as an Icon, where fans can add him to their club and relive his legendary career in Icon Chronicles. Thanks to the recent Rivals Update, FC Mobile now contains improvements to Ground Passing and US Attack, inspired by User Feedback.
Pre-order now EA Sports FC 26
EA Sports FC 26 is now available for pre-order and appears on September 26, 2025 worldwide for PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X | S, Xbox One, PC, Amazon Luna, Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2. With the Ultimate Edition you can reach with Early with Early.
Are you an EA Play member? Then from 19 September you can try the game via the EA Play Early Access Trial. You will also receive Member Rewards such as monthly Ultimate Team Draft tokens, seasonal rewards and 10% discount on EA Digital Content.
