Most of us, gamers who like football, have at least once tried EA Sports FC, one of the most celebrated football games in the world. What started as FIFA International Soccer back in 1993 (the old name of the game) has now become EA Sports FC (FIFA and EA Sports are exes now), but we lost a lot of things in between, including good gameplay, an environment where there was nothing like pay to win, and the list is long. Now, with the revival seen in EA Sports FC 24, which launched in 2023, it was not well received by the audience. From my firsthand experience with the game, I can say it was glitchy, disappointing, and the result of rushed efforts not meant to please gamers but to cash grab.
Back to the present, EA dropped FC 26 and marketed it as a game that had been crafted after taking feedback from actual gamers. I purchased EA Sports FC 26 back in the Black Friday sale of 2025, and now I have a lot to say after spending more than a quarter with the title. I'll be straightforward in the review and talk about the aspects of the game - the good, the bad, and the things that haven’t changed. I would like to start with the note that the game has some considerable improvements compared to its predecessor. But yes, it is a close call, and if it's a win, then it's only by a single goal in the last minute after trailing the whole match.
EA FC 26 Review : Gameplay Defends It Like Paulo Maldini
As soon as I hit the ground running in EA FC 26, one thing was pretty clear - gameplay is the remontada goal that changes everything. I created my team in Ultimate Team mode (we will talk about it next), and played my first match, and I was mesmerised by it. After ages, the passing felt real, the formation had a point and was not just a gimmick, the players were responsive, and the goalkeeper felt real instead of a bot pretending to defend the goal according to the algorithm's script.
Starting with the passing in the game, once you make a better squad in Ultimate Team, the passing feels super real, and the players are highly mindful of where the ball could go. I personally play short ball passing, and by the time I make an attack, I have two to three opportunities in the opponent's box, which means nine out of ten times they are conceding a goal. Now, this was not the case with the last EA FC game I had. One touch passing feels like you are playing as prime Barcelona, as it is all about the technique now. No algorithm is gonna kill your move.
And you will thank the EA gods for the way they have improved everything related to dribbling in the game. So, to be precise, you don't feel like prime Messi or current Manchester United, the game is completely under your control here. Make a mistake, and you will be punished, pull off a move and you will be rewarded, and dribbling is inclined towards being natural in the game.
Defending, this is very important. I am a Sergio Ramos fan, not shooting a screamer is fine, but conceding a goal just because my defenders thought it's a walk in a garden is what always made me furious. In EA Sports FC 26, it's all about altering those background formation settings of your squad and not making your defending leave its position to chase the ball. If you avoid those mistakes, I can bet you'll feel like the defenders are on steroids. As of now, my backline is being controlled by Virgil Van Dijk and no one gets past Van Dijk without a challenge. However, there are occasions when I think my defenders come to play after getting high, as they open doors for the opponents as if it's a goal shooting practice. So, not perfect, but yes, defending has improved in the game.
Shooting has always been one of the most loved parts of EA FC, and this time again, the franchise nails it. When I started the game, shooting felt like a task because of low rated cards, as they have low shooting power. But yes, after unlocking gems like Cole Palmer, Robert Lewandowski, and Declan Rice, the shooting feels like poetry. Whether you are hitting a power shot, a trivela, a volley, or a screamer, get the best guys and they are gonna bang it for sure.
EA FC 26 Review : Match Progression - This Is the Remontada I Am Talking About
Finally, after ages, I've felt alive while playing FC or FIFA or football. The first match was basic, not a lot of thrill, and that's understood because I was just getting started with the game. And a few other matches were the same, but things started taking a turn in high stakes battles in the Rivals mode. Here, the actual stress test happened because being 2-0 down in the first half and annihilating your opponent in the second after understanding the tactics is what defies the script of the game and feels like a remontada.
You will win, you will lose, you will get frustrated at times, but the one thing you will not crib about is the flow of the match and the way your players react after conceding a goal. Now, it is still not close to real football, but it's almost there and I loved every bit of it.
EA FC 26 Review : Updates Still Feel Like Conceded Goals
Until now things were going smoothly, but there's always an update that breaks the game - if not fully then to an extent where cuss words become your best friend and the DualSense controller is scared for its life. The latest patch update in EA FC 26 has brought some problems for me too. Input delay is clearly visible and at times, Lewandowski forgets to hit a goal and gets lost in oblivion.
Tried changing the strikers and picked Erling Haaland to go guns blazing in the match - what followed was a giant Viking making runs that are not necessary and kicking the ball like he doesn't know how to shoot. I can say these are the problems that make the fans hate EA FC 26, even after being one of the best football games out there in the market. The only thing that could make this game a legend is consistency, and the way EA moves forward, it seems like they have a personal vendetta against it.
EA FC 26 Review : Ultimate Team Mode - Derby Level Rush But Pre-Season Level Grind
Most of the gamers play EA FC just to make their dream squad and show their mantle in the Ultimate Team mode. The concept feels amazing from day one. But the grind takes out most of the fun. For example, I am an avid gamer and have contributed at least two hours a day to the game in Rivals modes and whatnot to pack a player like Cole Palmer or Robert Lewandowski. And if you are someone who is unable to invest time, then you will have a meh squad, and nothing can change that reality - unless you are god's favorite child and pack high rated players in low rated packs.
Transfer market tracking is tiring and SBC still asks for a kidney in exchange for an icon. The only good thing which I noticed this time was that the rewards for the EA FC Standard Edition are great if you are doing the grind. Because in FC 24, most of my friends who bought the Standard Edition either switched to the Ultimate one or just stopped playing the Ultimate Team mode altogether.
EA FC 26 Review : Rush Mode Is Total Chaos With No Window For Patience
EA FC 26 brought a new Rush Mode that defies everything, rules, midfield, red cards, and peace as well. Here, you land in 5v5 matches where your goal is to make chances or be a complete egoist like Isagi, as we saw in Blue Lock anime, with no time in your hand. What got me hooked was that there were no red cards in this mode.
If you play like Ramos, you will get a Blue Card and a 60 second ban, or until the opponent team scores a goal. After that, you are again on the field. There are three main positions in this mode (if you are not an Ego Jinpachi fanboy) - Anchor: who stays back and defends, Engine: who makes box-to-box movements, and the Finisher: who stays in the attacking position to score the goals. I mostly play as Anchor in this mode and I love every bit of it for sure.
Final Verdict : EA FC 26 is Remontada, But Only 2-1 Not 4-1
With EA Sports FC 26, EA has proved that they can make a good game but they don't bother. In the latest title, football feels like football and the ecosystem is exactly not like pay to win, which is a relief for sure. But still, the way EA flushed it all in the latest update, I am just hoping that the same will get sorted and the game will improve with the upcoming updates. The best part about EA FC 26 is that the makers are just a few steps away from making it one of the best football games, and to cover those steps, a new game is not required as a solid update will also do justice.
On that note, keep reading and following OrbeatX for more such reviews and if you are someone who is looking to know more about the career mode, manager mode and more, worry not, as our guides are enroute.