FIFA 26

For years, Career Mode has been the go-to escape for players who'd rather manage a squad than grind through Ultimate Team menus. FIFA 26 keeps that spirit alive but adds enough fresh features to make starting a new save feel exciting again. If you're wondering where to begin, let's talk about what stands out and how to approach it.

Manager or Player Career?
The choice hasn't changed: you either step into the dugout or into a pair of boots. Running a club as a manager comes with countless business decisions and plenty of thinking, including sorting transfers, scouting talent, and setting tactics. Playing as a footballer is about climbing the ranks, hitting performance goals, and carving out a personal legacy. Both routes get deeper now, so it's worth deciding early which side of the game you're most drawn to.

Picking a Save
One of the toughest parts is choosing who to manage. Do you want to take a giant like Bayern and chase silverware, or rebuild a club that has slipped into obscurity? Teams such as Leicester or Sevilla give you the satisfaction of a turnaround story, while managing a lower-league side offers the grind of gradual growth. Think about what kind of challenge you'll actually enjoy, because that decision shapes your whole experience.

Tactical Visions
A big new feature is Tactical Visions. Instead of just fiddling with formations, you now choose a philosophy that defines your team's playstyle. Maybe you prefer patient possession, quick counters, or aggressive pressing. There are seven templates, and they not only affect gameplay but also how your board judges you. It adds a layer of identity to your club that wasn't there before.

Transfers and Negotiations
Transfers work much the same way as before, but clubs react more realistically. Low offers can close talks entirely, so it pays to do your scouting first. Once you've identified a target, you can negotiate in cutscenes and even swap players if your budget's tight. It feels closer to real-world football, where timing and valuation matter more than ever.

Wonderkids and Development
The database is huge, but the thrill is still in finding youngsters with huge potential. Wonderkids can reach elite levels if you manage their minutes and adjust their development plans. If you don't have room for them, sending them out on loan is a good way to keep their growth steady. Building a core of young talent alongside established players remains the smartest way to future-proof your squad.

Manager Live
This new feature adds rotating challenges tied to real-world and fictional scenarios. One week you might be battling through a surprise European run, and another you could be juggling finances in a lean transfer window. It keeps saves from feeling too routine and adds bite-sized goals to chase.

Icons, Heroes, and the Manager Market
Career Mode now lets you slot in legends of the game, which is fun for anyone who wants a mix of nostalgia and modern football. More importantly, the Manager Market finally brings AI managers to life. They can switch jobs, get sacked, or be poached by bigger clubs. You're also free to apply for jobs mid-career if you fancy a new challenge. It makes the managerial merry-go-round feel less static.

Authentic Gameplay
Career Mode now has its own gameplay preset called Authentic. It slows things down and puts the emphasis on tactical build-up instead of raw pace. It is not for everyone, but if you enjoy a slower, more realistic style, it makes matches more rewarding. If you prefer the frantic pace of online play, you can always switch to the Competitive preset.

Unexpected Events
The last big change is the arrival of random curveballs. Your striker could get injured on international duty, the board might sell a player out from under you, or the fans could react to results in surprising ways. They don't happen every week, but when they do, they shake up your season. You can tweak how often they appear in the settings, which is handy if you prefer less drama.

FC 26 Career Mode is more alive than it has ever been. Between Tactical Visions, Manager Live, and the unpredictability of the Manager Market, no two careers will play out the same. It doesn't matter if you want to guide wonderkids to stardom, rebuild a fallen club, or survive the chaos of Unexpected Events; the mode finally offers enough variety to keep you hooked for the long haul.