FC 26 SBCs

The 2026 FIFA World Cup is scheduled to be held from June 11 to July 19, 2026, and its opening is now in its final countdown, with global football fans' anticipation rising.

This World Cup, the first to be jointly hosted by three countries and the first to expand to 48 teams, is breaking records in this century-old tournament with numerous innovations.

The opening match of this World Cup will be held at Azteca Stadium in Mexico City, with hosts Mexico facing South Africa. Notably, Azteca Stadium will become the first stadium in World Cup history to host matches in three different eras, and this temple of football history is about to usher in a new chapter in its legendary history.

Historic Expansion

This World Cup officially bids farewell to the long-standing 32-team format, historically expanding the number of participating teams to 48. Top teams from around the world are divided into 12 groups (from Group A to Group L).

The density of the schedule is also unprecedented. The total number of matches has surged from 64 to 104, an increase of 40. Any team aiming to lift World Cup trophy must endure eight high-intensity battles within 39 days.

Compared to the previous seven-match winning path, there's an additional knockout round. This is not only a contest of tactics and skills, but also the ultimate test of physical reserves, medical rehabilitation, bench depth, and even mental fortitude.

For the players, this is a life-or-death struggle against fatigue and injuries; for the coaching staff, it's a mathematical problem requiring precise calculations of rotation and final push.

Group Stage

As the opening whistle blew, all the teams took to the field. In the following twelve days of the first round of group stage matches, several high-profile clashes have already whetted the appetites of fans worldwide, with three key matches dubbed "the pivotal battles that will determine the group's outcome" by the media.

In Group F, the clash between Netherlands and Asian powerhouse Japan has become a hot topic. Netherlands has successfully transitioned to a new generation in recent years, with a squad led by Virgil van Dijk, Frenkie de Jong, and Cody Gakpo combining experience and energy.

Japan, on the other hand, proved in the last World Cup that they can compete with world-class teams. Their technically gifted midfield and attack, composed of Takefusa Kubo, Kaoru Mitoma, and Daichi Kamada, are capable of tearing apart any defense.

This match was described by European media as a "clash between total football and extreme discipline." Netherlands' elegant wing play clashed with Japan's precise counter-attacking defense; whoever could control the game would gain a significant advantage in the race for qualification.

Group K was equally competitive. Cristiano Ronaldo led Portugal against South American giants Colombia. Although Ronaldo is no longer young, his leadership and finishing ability in crucial moments remain Portugal's most reliable weapons.

After years of ups and downs, Colombia has rediscovered the wildness and flair of South American football, with Luis Díaz's explosive ability on the wings being top-notch.

This clash between European technical style and South American talent is not only about three points, but also about psychological dominance. Whoever emerges victorious in this tough battle is more likely to top the group and avoid facing the toughest opponents in the knockout stage.

Group L continues the rivalry. England and Croatia meet again. Fans will not forget Croatia's classic extra-time comeback against England in the 2018 World Cup semi-final; nor will they forget England's exhilarating revenge in the group stage of Euro 2020.

Now, both teams have undergone significant changes: for England, rising stars like Jude Bellingham, Bukayo Saka, and Phil Foden have emerged as pillars; Croatia faces the poignant reality of Luka Modrić's final performance.

The significance of this tournament transcends the points themselves; it carries the weight of historical destiny and the passing of the torch between old and new powers.

A North American Superstorm of Economy and Culture

FIFA officially predicts that the total number of viewers for this World Cup will exceed 6 million, with global broadcast ratings breaking all previous records. Behind this is the unique commercial and cultural magnetism brought about by the joint hosting by the three North American countries.

The three vast countries of United States, Canada, and Mexico have not only comprehensively upgraded their transportation, security, and venue technology.

From the retractable air-conditioned roof of Hard Rock Stadium in Miami to the 5G holographic broadcasting system at BC Place in Vancouver, and the digital transformation of Mexico City's Aztec football mecca-the host cities have seen a massive influx of hundreds of thousands of international fans.

From the anticipation of the final at MetLife Stadium in New York, to the jubilant celebrations of fans from around the world on Hollywood Boulevard in Los Angeles, from the cheers emanating from the seafood stalls at Pike Place Market in Seattle, to the first experiences of Maple Leaf Country in Vancouver and Toronto… the entire North American continent has been completely ignited. 

According to official statistics, over 1.5 million international tourists visited United States alone to watch the games. Hotel occupancy rates in the host cities exceeded 95%, and daily peak spending in the catering, transportation, and retail industries tripled compared to normal days. 

On a cultural level, this joint hosting of the tournament was itself a victory of cross-border collaboration. Mexico brought the fervor of Latin America and the wild spirit of street football; Canada showcased its diversity, inclusivity, and the vitality of outdoor sports;。

And United States, with its unparalleled commercial operations and entertainment packaging, transformed World Cup into a super carnival blending music festivals, technology exhibitions, and food festivals.

From the halftime shows of each match to the interactive experiences in every fan park and the viral challenges on social media - World Cup was no longer just 90 minutes of competition, but a cultural immersion lasting over a month.

In addition to the above, this FIFA World Cup will also introduce several new competition rules. Players who cover their mouths with their hands while communicating with opponents on the field will face an immediate red card. 

FIFA president explained that this measure aims to prevent potential racist or offensive remarks: "If a player covers his mouth while saying something, and it is deemed to have racist consequences, he must be sent off. If he communicates while covering his mouth, it can be assumed that he said something he shouldn't have."

Furthermore, the new rules include: substituted players must leave the field through the nearest exit within 10 seconds; those who fail to do so will face a one-minute period of playing with ten men; the recovery time for throw-ins and goal kicks is strictly limited to 5 seconds;。

Players must leave the field for one minute after receiving on-field treatment (except in special circumstances such as serious injuries and collisions).

From the opening match at Aztec Stadium to the grand final at Metropolitan Life Stadium, from the new format with 48 teams to the record-breaking prize money, the 2026 USA-CMC World Cup is writing a new chapter in football history on a grand scale spanning North American continent.

The aging Belgian golden generation, grouped with Netherlands, the injury-plagued French defender Saliba, and French champions currently negotiating bonuses-these uncertainties, both on and off the field, further add unpredictable, dramatic tension to this unprecedented Super World Cup.

The answer will be revealed in a week.

Since you started playing FC 26, you may have grown accustomed to focusing primarily on Ultimate Team mode; however, this year's World's Game update, released to coincide with the World Cup, might just change that dynamic.

This is because Career Mode, another core gameplay pillar, has also received significant enhancements through this update, including the addition of the International Men's Tournament and other new content.

Below, we will provide a detailed breakdown of the specific changes World's Game update brings to Career Mode, and analyze whether it is worth diving into over the coming months.

Career Mode changes overview

Of all the content introduced by World's Game update, the most significant addition is the eponymous new tournament mode, which allows you to experience the thrill of a virtual World Cup within the game by taking control of your favorite team.

Interestingly, Career Mode has also gained access to International Men's Tournament, operating in a manner largely identical to the standalone World's Game mode.

If you are familiar with that mode, you will recognize this as a substantial expansion of content compared to previous iterations!

Furthermore, this update introduces new season-end live start points to Career Mode. This means you now have the option to either load a save file from just before the tournament begins, or utilize a new starting point to select a national team and jump straight into the competition.

Additionally, Festival of Football itself is a series of campaigns available within Ultimate Team, running from June 5th through July 24th and featuring the release of five distinct events during this period.

Building upon this, FC 26 has also added Festival of Football-themed ICONs and Heroes to Career Mode, designed to complement the new national teams introduced by the tournament.

Moreover, throughout Festival of Football campaign, weekly Manager Live Challenges with matching themes will be released specifically for Career Mode.

Finally, the objectives available for completion within Career Mode have also been updated, for instance, by requiring you to complete a specific number of particular challenges or to finish a match while managing a specific national team.

New teams analysis

The arrival of this tournament signifies the addition of a vast array of new national teams and players, arguably the most exciting feature this update brings to Career Mode.

To be more precise, while FC 26 Career Mode previously featured only 29 national teams, this update has caused that number to skyrocket to 60. Moreover, the vast majority of these national teams possess full official licensing.

However, Japanese and Egyptian teams are somewhat unique exceptions: while they feature licensed players, their kits and crests utilize unlicensed assets.

Additionally, there are five national teams in the game that currently still rely on unlicensed data; their inclusion in FC 26 is solely due to the fact that they successfully qualified for the current World Cup tournament.

However, given that the World Cup itself has expanded to 48 teams for this edition, it is entirely understandable, as FIFA 26 seeks to introduce a massive influx of new teams, that the licensing rights for one or two squads might not have been successfully secured.

New player analysis

The vast majority of players on these newly added teams feature authentic data, meaning you will encounter a large roster of new players who have never previously appeared in FUT game mode.

Many of the standout stars among these new additions hail from Brazilian league, such as Uruguay's Giorgian de Arrascaeta and Hugo Souza, as well as the star Paraguayan defender Gustavo Gómez (who plays for Palmeiras), among others.

Furthermore, the roster includes Luis Henrique and José Córdoba, both of whom have delivered impressive performances in Russian league, and James Rodríguez, who makes his return to the game representing Colombian national team.

New stadiums

Although the game previously featured several stadiums designated as World Cup venues, FC 26, building upon World's Game update, introduces three additional playable stadiums to the game.

These include Gillette Stadium (home of New England Revolution), BMO Field (home of Toronto FC), and the entirely fictional Central Maw Stadium.

Visually, Central Maw Stadium appears designed to replicate the real-world MetLife Stadium, the very venue slated to host the final match of the current World Cup tournament.

How to play the new tournament in Career Mode?

When configuring your initial game settings, you are free to select any national team of your choice; simply designate a head coach, and you can immediately begin playing.

To be honest, the integration of national team management alongside club management feels somewhat disjointed.

This may be due to the development team needing to rush production, or perhaps because they assumed that players would likely cease playing that specific Career Mode save once the World Cup had concluded.

In terms of structural format, this tournament mode serves as a complete replica of the World Cup currently taking place, mirroring details such as the 48-team participant pool, as well as the rule allowing certain third-place teams within their groups to qualify for the knockout stages.

Is the revamped Career Mode worth playing?

First off, EA FC 26 has truly done an excellent job of accurately replicating tournament formats; at the very least, compared to previous iterations, this Career Mode update undoubtedly represents a positive step forward.

Although some of the menu interfaces within Career Mode still retain the old International Cup moniker for the new tournaments, the overall atmosphere of the competition experience feels completely revitalized compared to its predecessors.

Interestingly, while FC series has historically tended to be rather perfunctory during standard release cycles, it consistently manages to deliver a satisfying gameplay experience whenever a World Cup is on the horizon.

Therefore, one hopes that FIFA 26 and future titles will use this update as a springboard to continue prioritizing the refinement of international football content within Career Mode, rather than simply casting it aside once the current World Cup concludes.