FIFA 26

This article might be outdated, last update was during FIFA 25.

FIFA is ready to roll out the next chapter of its football series, and FIFA 26 looks like it could be a big one. The game officially launches on September 26, 2025, with early access starting September 19 for fans who pick up the Ultimate Edition. The release comes with updated gameplay, new FIFA 26 Icons, fresh modes, and a real focus on fixing what didn't work in previous titles.

Release Date and Editions
Players who buy the Standard Edition will join on September 26. Ultimate Edition buyers and EA Play Pro subscribers can start a full week earlier, on September 19. The Ultimate Edition also includes bonuses like early access, in-game rewards, and exclusive content for Career Mode and Ultimate Team.

Pricing Breakdown

The Standard Edition sticks to the $69.99 / £69.99 price point, while the Ultimate Edition lands at $99.99 / £99.99. On the Nintendo Switch 2, prices are slightly lower: $89.99 / £79.99 for Ultimate. EA has not moved to the $80 base price seen in some other new games.
Supported Platforms:

• FIFA 26 will be available on:
• PS5
• PS4
• Xbox Series X|S
• Xbox One
• Nintendo Switch and Switch 2
• PC

The game supports both current and last-gen hardware, with Switch 2 getting its first full-featured FUT entry. It'll be interesting to see how the handheld version performs compared to other platforms.

Cover Stars and Icons

This year's cover features two rising stars: Jude Bellingham and Jamal Musiala. For the Ultimate Edition, EA went with a legend, Zlatan Ibrahimović, who also returns as a playable Icon in Ultimate Team.
Zlatan is just one of several new Icons confirmed so far. Alex Morgan and Ronaldo (Brazil) are also on the list, with more expected to be announced soon. Leaks suggest a total of 12 new Icons, including some long-requested names.

Game Modes

All the classic modes are returning, including:

• Kick Off
• FIFA 26 Ultimate Team
• Career Mode
• Clubs
• Seasons
• Rivals
• Champions
• Squad Battles
• UT Draft
• Rush
• Moments

A new mode called Challengers is being added to FIFA 26Ultimate Team. It's designed for players not competing in the top divisions but still looking for weekend competition. It's a more forgiving alternative to the regular weekend league.

Gameplay Changes and New Features

Gameplay is the main focus this year. EA is promising a much better experience than FUT 25, which many players felt was inconsistent sometimes. Dribbling, passing, movement, and AI positioning are all getting updated. EA says feedback from the community played a big part in shaping how FIFA 26 plays.
Two new gameplay presets help cater to different styles:

• Competitive is fast and responsive, built for Ultimate Team and Clubs.
• Authentic is slower and more realistic, tuned for Career Mode and single-player matches.

Manager Career Improvements

Manager Career is finally getting more attention. A feature called Manager Live Challenges brings real-world scenarios and alternative storylines into the mode. Players can earn rewards like Season Points, Vanity items, and even Icons and Heroes. A Manager Market system is also being added, though full details are coming later.

World Cup Mode Rumors

There's talk that EA is trying to bring back the FIFA World Cup mode in time for the 2026 tournament. Since the FIFA partnership ended, nothing is official yet, but the rumor suggests EA is working on getting the license back. But it's still unconfirmed.

Final Thoughts

Compared to previous years, FIFA 26 is shaping up to be a promising release, packed with improvements and fixes to the issues the past titles had. If it lives up to expectations, we're in for a massive season, but unfortunately, there's still almost two months to go.