EA FC 26 All FC Pro 26 Format Changes And Participation

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• EA FC 26 Header Mechanic Changes & Tips: How To Achieve The Perfect Header Like A Pro?

  Hello football fans, EA Sports FC 26 closed beta is almost over. How are you enjoying it?

  To be honest, different players focus on different gameplay and mechanics, so it's only natural that feedback on these adjustments will be mixed.

  

  Header Changes

  Personally, I think the improvements in this year's FC 26 are truly remarkable. Whether it's the optimizations to the dribbling mechanics or the overall gameplay pacing adjustments, they all make the game feel completely fresh. However, that's not to say there aren't flaws. As a header enthusiast, the heading setup in FIFA 26 is truly disappointing.

  Many players have reported on the community forums and Reddit that headers are poorly executed. Poor player positioning, poor timing, and the changes the developers made to balance the gameplay make it difficult to consistently score with headers.

  While they've introduced two new PlayStyles, Aerial Fortress and Precision Header, designed to improve heading ability, headers still lack precision or power, sometimes even heading wide, directly into the goalkeeper, or lacking the necessary power to successfully complete the shot.

  Of course, this is still a closed beta test, and with a month until the official release on September 26th, the developers have plenty of time to optimize. However, we have to prepare for the worst and continue to refine our own heading abilities to achieve flawless performance by the time FC 26 officially launches!

  So here, let us show you everything, from positioning and timing to defending and attacking like a pro!

  Move Proactively, Maintain Good Form And Position

  In FC 26, the first and most important part of heading is positioning, and this starts before the ball is even released.

  Most players miss headers not because they're weak in the air, but because they're out of position or arrive too late to intercept.

  FUT 26 rewards players who are already moving and actively moving into goal. Conversely, if your players are standing still, or if they're standing under the ball instead of running towards it, your animations will almost always be weaker, and you'll likely be beaten in duels.

  Therefore, you should maintain good body positioning, with your players facing the direction of the ball, slightly in front of or to the side of the duel area, and ideally, before the ball reaches it.

  Note that the best heading opportunities often occur when you're attacking space, not when you're waiting for the ball to arrive. This small adjustment will help you maintain balance, power, and most importantly, allow your players to jump cleanly.

  I'd even go so far as to say that even if you spend more FC 26 coins on players with higher stats and ratings, you'll often lose if your positioning is poor.

  Secure The Perfect Moment!

  The second key factor in a successful header is timing, and this is where many techniques fail.

  In FC 26, your header input acts like a signal. The sooner you press the pass or shoot button, the more time the game has to adjust your player's body to execute the appropriate movement.

  However, if you wait too long or press the button too late, your player may not react in time. This is because the game needs a moment for your player's body to prepare for the jump. If your input is too late, your player won't have time to prepare for the jump, which often results in not jumping at all or missing the ball altogether. So awkward!

  So, instead of waiting until the ball lands, it's better to give the cue early, ideally when the ball starts approaching your player, rather than after it's already passed them.

  Think of timing as a rhythm: first, you identify the ball's trajectory, then adjust your position, and finally, jump at the right moment. Master this sequence, and your headers will feel effortless.

  

  Find Easier Heading Directions

  Next, I want to mention one of the most overlooked things players do: controlling the direction of their headers.

  In EA FC 26, the direction you attempt your header directly impacts your chances of winning the match. And depending on how you approach the ball, some directions are easy to trigger headers, while others are more challenging and difficult to pull off.

  Therefore, you need to find easy-to-head areas - those that align with your body angle - and aim in those directions, as this will increase your chances of winning the game.

  On the other hand, you should avoid heading into hard-to-reach areas, such as to the sides or behind you, as these angles are more difficult to execute and trigger a smooth header animation. If your aiming point aligns with your movement, you're more likely to hit the ball hard and win the game.

  Defense Techniques

  So, let's talk about how to defend.

  In FIFA 26, defending a header well isn't just about luck; it starts before the ball is even lofted. You must read the ball's trajectory early and track the nearest threat.

  Many players try to follow the ball first and then slowly lock onto the attacker, but by then it's often too late. The best defenders, however, do the opposite. They observe the attacker's movements first and then adjust based on the ball's path.

  You can start by pressing the L2/LT button to maintain balance and lock onto the ball, then move the left stick toward the cross, rather than just toward the attacker. Remember, your goal is to get into the lane between the attacker and the passer. This puts you in an inside position and disrupts the animation logic.

  So, when challenging for a header, should we limit ourselves to pressing the pass button or the shoot button?

  It actually depends on your positioning and timing, but your choice will affect how your players respond to the challenge and subsequent contact.

  If you have time and space, and there are unmarked teammates nearby who can receive the ball, use the pass button. However, if you have no teammates to support you and are under pressure, and you need to break through the pressure as quickly as possible, then you should absolutely use the shoot button for a header.

  This is why using the shoot button to clear the ball in chaos is often more reliable; it has a higher chance of triggering the animation, especially when you're not in the perfect position.

  

  Offensive Techniques

  Finally, let's talk about how to actually score with a header.

  When a cross arrives, you need to switch to the target player, hold L2/LT and RT/R2 simultaneously, and then increase the power of the shot.

  At this point, your player will lock onto the ball with a header animation, even if the ball flies lower than usual. This is crucial, especially during chaotic moments inside the box, where a single incorrect animation could cost you a goal.

  However, be mindful of flexible aiming. Even if you're using shot assist, headers in online matches are manual, requiring clear aim to ensure the fastest possible success!

  In short, heading isn't just about power; it's also about timing, movement, and attacking. Too many players simply stand in the box waiting for a cross, but this is a losing strategy. A successful header is more about movement, you have to be running towards the crossing area before the cross is sent. Regardless, I hope these tips help you create more headers in FC 26 and win matches beautifully!

• EA FC 26 All Icons Ratings And Stats: Why Are They More Useful Than Regular Players?

  EA FC 26 is about a month away from its official release, and pre-order players will be among the first to receive Icon players as a reward. The stats for the 15 Icon players have been released. In FC 26, the role of Playstyles has been reduced, and player stats have become more important.

  How To Get Icon Players?

  Pre-order EA Sports FC 26 Ultimate Edition before August 26, 2025, to receive a non-tradable Icon player item. Pre-ordering Ultimate or Standard Edition will also receive three Icon players in the game's Manager Career mode to help your club get started.

  Players can only receive one random Icon from 15 Icon players in the game, so understanding the player stats will help you better understand the legendary Icon players in EA Sports FC 26. Most regular starting players have a rating of around 80, while higher-rated players require a significant amount of FC 26 coins. This time, Icon players are all rated above 80 OVR and will be eligible for Champion status on November 30th. Some players can reach OVR levels of 90 and above, giving you an early advantage in the game.

  

  The Role Of Icon Players

  EA Sports FC 26 Icon players are valuable and powerful player cards in Ultimate Team (FUT) and other modes. They create perfect chemistry with players from any league and nationality in FUT.

  This gives you tremendous freedom when building your Hybrid Squad, allowing you to incorporate your favorite players confidently from various backgrounds into your lineup without worrying about chemistry issues, saving on those scarce FUT 26 coins in the early game.

  

  Icons Player Statistics

  Below are the statistics for all Icons players:

  Zlatan Ibrahimovic Debut ST 86 OVR

  • PAC: 80
  • SHO: 87
  • PAS: 77
  • DRI: 85
  • DEF: 41
  • PHY: 84

  Zlatan Ibrahimovic Champion ST 92 OVR

  • PAC: 86
  • SHO: 94
  • PAS: 83
  • DRI: 92
  • DEF: 47
  • PHY: 90

  Marcelo Debut LB 85 OVR

  • PAC: 83
  • SHO: 68
  • PAS: 83
  • DRI: 85
  • DEF: 79
  • PHY: 72

  Marcelo Champion LB 89 OVR

  • PAC: 88
  • SHO: 70
  • PAS: 83
  • DRI: 89
  • DEF: 84
  • PHY: 77

  Ronaldo Champion ST 86 OVR

  • PAC: 88
  • SHO: 86
  • PAS: 71
  • DRI: 86
  • DEF: 35
  • PHY: 67

  Ronaldo Champion ST 92 OVR

  • PAC: 92
  • SHO: 92
  • PAS: 78
  • DRI: 92
  • DEF: 42
  • PHY: 72

  Thierry Henry Debut 86 ST OVR

  • PAC: 87
  • SHO: 85
  • PAS: 77
  • DRI: 84
  • DEF: 46
  • PHY: 73

  Thierry Henry Champion ST 91 OVR

  • PAC: 92
  • SHO: 91
  • PAS: 83
  • DRI: 89
  • DEF: 51
  • PHY: 79

  Andreas Iniesta Debut CM 86 OVR

  • PAC: 80
  • SHO: 75
  • PAS: 86
  • DRI: 86
  • DEF: 61
  • PHY: 65

  Andreas Iniesta Champion CM 92 OVR

  • PAC: 85
  • SHO: 84
  • PAS: 91
  • DRI: 92
  • DEF: 76
  • PHY: 72

  Alex Morgan Debut ST 86 OVR

  • PAC: 87
  • SHO: 86
  • PAS: 75
  • DRI: 85
  • DEF: 43
  • PHY: 72

  Alex Morgan Champion ST 91 OVR

  • PAC: 92
  • SHO: 91
  • PAS: 81
  • DRI: 91
  • DEF: 47
  • PHY: 77

  Caroline Seger Debut CM 86 OVR

  • PAC: 75
  • SHO: 75
  • PAS: 86
  • DRI: 82
  • DEF: 81
  • PHY: 76

  Caroline Seger Champion CM 90 OVR

  • PAC: 80
  • SHO: 80
  • PAS: 90
  • DRI: 86
  • DEF: 87
  • PHY: 82

  Toni Kroos Debut CM 86 OVR

  • PAC: 70
  • SHO: 78
  • PAS: 87
  • DRI: 83
  • DEF: 72
  • PHY: 70

  Toni Kroos Champion CM 90 OVR

  • PAC: 75
  • SHO: 82
  • PAS: 91
  • DRI: 86
  • DEF: 78
  • PHY: 75

  

  Francesco Totti Debut ST 85 OVR

  • PAC: 81
  • SHO: 86
  • PAS: 85
  • DRI: 85
  • DEF: 36
  • PHY: 71

  Francesco Totti Champion ST 89 OVR

  • PAC: 87
  • SHO: 90
  • PAS: 89
  • DRI: 91
  • DEF: 40
  • PHY: 74

  Steffi Jones Debut CB 85 OVR

  • PAC: 76
  • SHO: 55
  • PAS: 70
  • DRI: 66
  • DEF: 86
  • PHY: 82

  Steffi Jones Champion CB 89 OVR

  • PAC: 80
  • SHO: 59
  • PAS: 77
  • DRI: 70
  • DEF: 92
  • PHY: 86

  Giorgio Chiellini Debut CB 85 OVR

  • PAC: 75
  • SHO: 52
  • PAS: 59
  • DRI: 60
  • DEF: 87
  • PHY: 85

  Giorgio Chiellini Champion CB 89 OVR

  • PAC: 80
  • SHO: 55
  • PAS: 65
  • DRI: 65
  • DEF: 93
  • PHY: 90

  Steven Gerrard Debut CM 85 OVR

  • PAC: 75
  • SHO: 85
  • PAS: 85
  • DRI: 80
  • DEF: 72
  • PHY: 80

  Steven Gerrard Champion CM 89 OVR

  • PAC: 80
  • SHO: 89
  • PAS: 90
  • DRI: 84
  • DEF: 77
  • PHY: 83

  Cha Bum Kun Debut ST 85 OVR

  • PAC: 86
  • SHO: 84
  • PAS: 77
  • DRI: 83
  • DEF: 59
  • PHY: 82

  Cha Bum Kun Champion ST 88 OVR

  • PAC: 89
  • SHO: 87
  • PAS: 80
  • DRI: 87
  • DEF: 62
  • PHY: 85

  Sissi Debut CAM 85 OVR

  • PAC: 83
  • SHO: 86
  • PAS: 86
  • DRI: 85
  • DEF: 40
  • PHY: 66

  Sissi Champion CAM 88 OVR

  • PAC: 86
  • SHO: 90
  • PAS: 89
  • DRI: 88
  • DEF: 42
  • PHY: 70

  Oliver Kahn Debut GK 86

  • DIV: 88
  • HAN: 81
  • KIC: 65
  • REF: 90
  • SEP: 52
  • POS: 84

  Oliver Kahn Champion GK 91

  • DIV: 93
  • HAN: 86
  • KIC: 70
  • REF: 95
  • SEP: 57
  • POS: 89

  These 15 icons are a bonus for all pre-orders. Pre-orders for Ultimate Edition will receive one of these 15 icons and a choice of five untradeable OVR 93+ icons from a previous promotion. This bonus could be worth hundreds of thousands of FIFA 26 coins in the early stages of the game. Pre-orders event will end on August 26th, so if you're still undecided, you need to make your decision fast.

• EA FC 26 Competitive And Authentic Modes Will Bring More Impact To The Game

  Although EA Sports FC series has undergone numerous minor updates in recent years, it has generally maintained a multi-player approach with multiple game modes, including Career Mode, Ultimate Team, and more.

  Each mode has its own unique gameplay, but overall, they can be categorized into two main categories: those focused on competitive play and those focused on recreating the real-life team-building process.

  Whether you're drawn to a specific mode or prefer to try them all, you'll eventually develop a preference, and some players may even stick to a single mode. Consequently, game updates often struggle to satisfy all players with varying preferences.

  To address this issue, FC 26 has decided to make fundamental changes. Therefore, both in beta testing and official game in the future, you'll experience that FC 26 can offer two presets: competitive and authentic.

  So, what exactly does the introduction of these two modes mean? How will they impact FIFA 26 and future games, including their gameplay? We'll explain.

  

  Overview Of Competitive And Authentic Modes

  In general, EA FC 26 now divides the game into two presets: competitive and authentic. The former primarily refers to multiplayer modes like Ultimate Team and is more arcade-style, while the latter, centered around Career mode, is more realistic.

  So, rather than being two modes, competitive and authentic, based on the conventions of FC game definition, are more like two distinct styles of gameplay.

  Their distinct appearance means that previously, you could only experience different game modes within a uniform format. Starting with FUT 26, you can use more targeted presets to create a virtual football experience that better suits your preferences.

  For example, Ultimate Team gameplay involves assembling a team of players from different eras and competing against other teams online to earn FC 26 coins.

  Career mode, on the other hand, focuses on long-term storytelling, where you guide your team from humble beginnings to the pinnacle of their professional careers.

  Clearly, these different gameplay styles mean that the two modes have different requirements for players, gameplay, and other aspects of the actual gameplay.

  To this end, the introduction of competitive and authentic modes will not only comprehensively adjust fundamental factors like player speed and power, but will also allow you to better control player movement and decision-making on the field through updated gameplay styles and characters.

  Frankly, Ultimate Team has always seemed to generate more revenue than other game modes due to its mechanics, requiring you to regularly invest more coins. Therefore, you might have felt that most game updates were geared towards this gameplay style.

  However, with competitive and authentic modes, EA FC 26 demonstrates that they aren't solely focused on a select group of players who benefit it most, but is committed to improving all modes simultaneously to provide a truly balanced gaming experience.

  

  Competitive Gameplay

  The first characteristic of competitive mode is that it significantly reduces randomness in the game, ensuring you don't encounter embarrassing mishaps during a match, such as your goalkeeper making a brilliant save only to have the ball bounce back and allow the opponent to score.

  Based on the current closed beta, the competitive setting prevents these mishaps most of the time. From a more theoretical perspective, the game no longer relies on precise ball physics, but instead fakes them behind the scenes.

  This allows goalkeepers to push the ball into open space or out of bounds even if their hand placement isn't quite right. Furthermore, you'll be able to control the ball more frequently and position yourself more accurately, reducing potential frustration during matches.

  Even more interestingly, the game incorporates more clipping in competitive mode, reducing the visual fidelity to allow for more accurate simulation of tackles, jumps, and other actions. While some additional animations are present, they're generally inconsequential.

  While visually, many of the subtle adjustments to competitive mode are barely noticeable during intense matches, they represent a significant difference in the final results.

  Authentic Gameplay

  In contrast, all FIFA 26 gameplay in authentic mode still maintains the past physics and retains the randomness inherent in real football, allowing you to fully experience the unpredictable nature of fate!

  More specifically, competitive mode prioritizes manual input and skill, resulting in a smoother and more consistent match experience. In contrast, the entire purpose of authentic mode is to reflect real-world football matches.

  Thus, whether it's corner kicks adjusted for real-world success rates or realistic tackle accuracy and fall animations, the goal is to provide you with a realistic football experience within the game.

  While none of this is as stable and smooth as competitive mode, this is precisely the essence of the authentic style.

  

  What Is The Significance Of This Change?

  Whether in the current closed beta or in the future official release of FC 26, the vast majority of gameplay changes you'll experience are based on the requirements of competitive and authentic mode.

  As a player, if you have a preference, you'll find a more ideal competitive or team career development experience in EA FC 26. If you enjoy trying all modes, you'll be pleasantly surprised.

  This also demonstrates that the development team understands the expectations of different types of players and is committed to meeting them. More importantly, while making targeted changes, they won't affect your enjoyment of other modes.

  Undoubtedly, adding these two preset styles was a daunting task, significantly increasing the development team's workload. However, the team also stated that this was necessary to please players and attract more people to the game.

  In short, the addition of these two new preset styles means that FC 26 will be a more mature virtual football game, and it's not to be missed!

• EA FC 26 Dribbling And Ball Control Systems Have Been Significantly Improved

  EA FC series releases a new game every year, and each new game typically boasts improved graphics and gameplay compared to previous titles.

  In FC 26, the dribbling and ball control systems have undergone significant upgrades, with a focus on improving responsiveness and fluidity, resulting in a more natural and controlled experience. Dribbling animations and call-outs have been optimized across multiple levels.

  

  Ball Control/First Touch

  While there aren't specific attributes associated with touch in the game, they are crucial for each player and impact the player's gaming experience.

  First Touch Responsiveness

  The responsiveness of your first touch has been significantly improved, allowing you to more smoothly transition from receiving the ball to dribbling. This makes controlling the ball feel more natural and reduces the jerky delay after stopping the ball.

  Ball Control Refinements

  Ball control after a pass or tackle is now smoother, helping you maintain possession more effectively.

  Factors affecting the difficulty of the first touch include:

  • Ball speed relative to player speed
  • Incoming ball height
  • Outgoing angle
  • Opposition pressure
  • Part of the body used to control the ball
  • Extended reach
  • Player stats

  Precision Touch

  When receiving or intercepting the ball, holding down L2 (PS) or LT (Xbox) will significantly improve ball control accuracy. This action sacrifices movement speed for more stable ball control. The earlier you press this command, the better the ball control.

  Clip-Up

  Clip-up control for aerial balls is now smoother, with more consistent and predictable lobs in all directions. Consecutive lobs gradually lose effectiveness to prevent lags.

  Ball Duel Urgency

  When facing a loose ball or a ball duel, holding down R2 (PS) or RT (Xbox) to sprint will instantly accelerate the player towards the target. Failure to press the sprint button may result in a slower reaction time, increasing the importance of reaction time in crucial moments.

  

  Dribbling

  Dribbling is crucial in both offense and defense, but wingers and attacking midfielders require it more. FC 26 has optimized dribbling, effectively strengthening the roles of wingers and attacking midfielders. You can allocate some of your FUT 26 coins to developing your player's dribbling skills to enhance your offense.

  Dribbling Touch Interval

  Revised the consistency of a player's ball control during dribbling. The dribbling touch interval determination varies across different modes to accommodate different playstyles.

  Player Height Impact

  Rebalanced the impact of player height on dribbling performance, optimizing the consistency and speed of dribbling animations for taller and shorter players.

  Dominant Foot Logic

  Improved the logic for selecting a player's dominant foot during dribbling and the animation branching, resulting in quicker control and more natural transitions.

  Completely Reworked Dribbling Animation Library

  Dribbling animations have been comprehensively reevaluated and recalibrated to ensure consistent flow, speed, and responsiveness across all players. The animation transition and branching logic have also been significantly improved, effectively reducing the stiffness of locked-in animations.

  Slow Dribbling Speedup

  Slow dribbling speed has been increased across the board, and directional judgment has been optimized, allowing players to more accurately control the direction and tempo of their dribbling.

  Effort Touch Animations

  Added Effort Touch animations when players perform sharp turns ensure quick and realistic turns, enhancing the immersion of challenging dribbling maneuvers.

  In FC 26, Agile Dribbling will be removed. Officials said this feature was under-used and affected the consistency of ball-handling, leading to its complete removal.

  

  When To Dribble?

  Even with a 99 OVR player, victory isn't guaranteed. As a competitive game, you also need to understand when to dribble and when to pass. Otherwise, even if you have a lot of EA FC 26 coins, it's hard to win.

  Open Space Ahead

  When the opponent provides you with ample space, you can dribble forward, forcing the opponent to block you. This means the defender has to leave your teammates or their own positions. This allows you to create space or break through or pass the ball while the opponent is unstable.

  Defenders Left Alone

  The second situation where you think you can dribble is when you find the opponent's defender alone, especially on the wing or in a position where you think you can break through and shoot.

  Usually, there's a lot of space around the defender. Here, you should be aggressive and break through. You can also play it safe, shielding the ball or passing back, but if you take the initiative and actively press, you might get lucky. This doesn't always work, but if your teammates don't have a better chance, it's worth the risk.

  Changing Defenses Through Dribbling

  When you think you can be more destructive by dribbling, you can create space or disrupt the opponent's defensive structure. Because dribbling might allow you to beat your opponent and create space for a perfect penetrating opportunity, a back pass won't.

  You might not successfully dribble past your opponent, but dribbling might create more space for a pass. This dribbling can also effectively draw the attention of defenders, creating opportunities for your teammates to run without the ball.

  Dribbling In The Opponent's Half

  For example, if you dribble on the wing in the opponent's backfield, the risk of losing the ball is minimal because even if you make a mistake, your teammates can still assist you defensively. However, if you are intercepted while dribbling in the backfield, you could be facing your goalkeeper.

  Every game in FC 26 is different. Even the most basic principles and concepts on the football field are not set in stone. The most important thing is to follow the flow rather than force it. The powerful players and ability upgrades provided by FC 26 coins only give you more time to make decisions. You need to learn to make the right decisions in a short period.

• EA FC 26 All New Teams Confirmed For Career Mode: What Features Do They Offer?

  As with previous years, EA Sports FC will release the latest game FC 26 at the end of September. Through various updates, the football video simulation game seems unchanged, yet has been comprehensively upgraded in every way.

  Career mode, a key gameplay feature, not only features changes to the basic mechanics but also introduces 19 confirmed teams from multiple leagues around the world!

  As you know, the main purpose of playing Career mode is to assemble your own super team, lead them through matches to earn rewards, and guide your players to the pinnacle of their careers.

  To do this, you first need to select a starting team and the corresponding tier. After that, you can build a brand new team by selling unwanted players and consuming FC 26 coins to exchange for more desired players.

  The addition of these 19 new teams will significantly expand your player selection and team building options, giving you the opportunity to experiment with a wider range of Career mode styles.

  Below, we'll introduce some teams based on their recent performance, categorized by type.

  

  Two New Clubs From England

  • Barnet FC (EFL League Two)
  • Oldham Athletic (EFL League Two)

  As one of the leagues most familiar to fans of Career mode, English Football League has historically offered numerous captivating teams. Starting this September, it will continue to offer two new teams with EA FC 26, providing a complete upgrade journey.

  Barnet FC returns to EA Sports FC series for the first time since 2018, having regained qualification for League Two. Oldham Athletic, a founding member of Premier League in the 1990s, will bring back the nostalgic atmosphere of Premier League.

  Two New Spanish Teams

  • Cultural Leonesa (La Liga 2)
  • FC Andorra (La Liga 2)

  Even globally, Spanish teams often rank among the best when it comes to football talent and the sheer excitement of their matches. Fortunately, the new FIFA 26 Career mode teams also include two new teams from Spanish Second Division.

  Cultural Leonesa, whose founding dates back to the 1920s, boasts a rich cultural heritage. After returning to Spanish Second Division for the first time in eight years, the club is experiencing a new period of growth.

  Leonesa is also a passionate team with a loyal local fan base. If you're looking to experience the feeling of leading a veteran team back to glory in FUT 26, this team is a perfect fit.

  Although FC Andorra is the only non-Spanish team among the top Spanish football clubs, it has garnered considerable attention due to the support of former Barcelona and Spain national team defender Gerard Piqué.

  A globally renowned player, Piqué has been instrumental in securing financial support from Andorran government for FC Andorra and has invested heavily in the team's development. Given his influence, the team is likely to have a bright future.

  

  Two New Italian Teams

  • Pescara Calcio (Serie B)
  • Calcio Padova (Serie B)

  While the real-life Serie C playoffs have led to a string of losses for many Italian veterans, in FC 26 you can lead them to new peak years or recreate their past glory through Career mode.

  For example, Pescara Calcio once secured promotion via a dramatic penalty shootout victory thanks to the lame but heroic goalkeeper Alessandro Plizzari. The addition of this club means you'll have the opportunity to utilize this player.

  Another traditional Italian club with deep roots, Calcio Padova, once produced the legendary Alessandro Del Piero. If you enjoy recruiting classic football stars in the game, you might even see him appear in a special card pack!

  Two New German Teams

  • 1. FC Schweinfurt 05 (3. Liga)
  • MSV Duisburg (3. Liga)

  Unlike their real-world reliability, German teams have been difficult to spot in EA FC Career mode. However, they boast one of the most advanced tiered league systems in football games. Now, you finally have the chance to experience them in FIFA 26.

  Schweinfurt, having not played in the 3. Bundesliga since 2005, is not only the favorite to win the championship but also a perfect choice for those looking for a nostalgic experience.

  Veteran MSV Duisburg, a Bundesliga and German Cup finalist, is tasked with restoring its former glory.

  Teams Worth Noting In Other Regions

  The above teams have been detailed separately by country because they hail from renowned leagues or have had a successful past. However, there are also some rising stars from other leagues that are worth keeping an eye on.

  As the newest member of MLS USA, San Diego FC has recently won six consecutive games, proving its immense potential.

  And with the backing of billionaire Mohamed Mansour, they're unlikely to face financial challenges - as long as they maintain their current level of performance.

  FC Alverca from Liga Portugal boasts a very attractive roster. Coached by Real Madrid's Vinicius Junior, and with an average player age of just 20.8, the team boasts immense development potential and is well-suited to players who prefer younger players.

  

  Additional teams include:

  • Le Mans FC (Ligue 2, France)
  • Neom SC (Saudi Pro League)
  • SC Telstar (Eredivisie, Netherlands)
  • Östers IF (Allsvenskan, Sweden)
  • Kocaelispor (Süper Lig, Turkey)
  • Genclerbirligi (Süper Lig, Turkey)
  • Falkirk FC (Scottish Premiership)
  • Odense Boldklub (Danish Superliga)
  • Vålerenga Fotball Elite (Eliteserien, Norway)

  Whether you're looking to build a brand new, young squad in FUT 26 Career mode or partner with an established team to revive their success, these 19 new teams have something for everyone. All you have to do is prepare enough coins and wait for the game to launch!

• EA FC 26 Avoid 3 Defensive Mistakes In Ultimate Team: How To Win Every Running Duel In The Beta?

  It's no secret that winning in FC 26 isn't just about improving your technique; you also need to constantly analyze the reasons for your mistakes. This is the key to growing from a rookie to a Hall of Fame star.

  During the recent closed beta, I saw many players facing similar defensive issues. Losing easily earned FUT 26 Coins is a minor issue; the more important thing is that these mistakes lead to repeated losses. You may have found yourself in the same situation. If you're still unsure of what you're doing wrong, check out this guide.

  Here, we'll summarize several essential defensive mistakes you must avoid in Ultimate Team mode to help you minimize conceding goals and significantly increase your chances of winning. Ready? Let's get started!

  

  Mistake 1: Focusing Exclusively On The On-Ball Defending

  First, I want to mention a common mistake many players make: focusing exclusively on the on-ball defending.

  Let me explain on-ball defending. Players may be tempted to actively use the defender closest to the opponent in possession, attempting to win the ball back through direct pressure and tackles. However, on-ball defending isn't always enough, as it can leave dangerous space and passing opportunities for the opponent.

  Therefore, we must also consider off-ball defending. We need to proactively select defenders farther from the player in possession to defend against dangerous passes or spaces. This allows us to easily intercept and win the ball back when the opponent attempts a through ball.

  To make this approach effective, you need to proactively use Right Stick Switching to select the best defender. Simply flick the right stick to the defender you want. This allows you to cover the most dangerous passing options, close in on dangerous spaces, or track runners attempting to make runs from behind.

  What makes a great defender? Investing more EA FC 26 coins in individual player defensive stats isn't enough. You must ensure you can seamlessly switch between on-ball and off-ball defending styles, which means considering a combination of both at every turn.

  

  Mistake 2: Being Afraid Of Proactive Defending And Overly Reliant On AI Defending

  Now let's address the second mistake: over-reliance on AI defending, constantly chasing from behind, which leads to a predictable, passive rhythm throughout the game, making it vulnerable to attacks from skilled opponents.

  To address this, we must improve our defensive control. This means being more proactive in defending, rather than relying on AI to do it for us.

  Remember, early control of the defense is key. If you leave AI under pressure for too long, you'll give the opponent too much room to maneuver, so don't be afraid to defend proactively.

  Let's use a specific example. To execute a good defensive move, the first thing we need to do is identify a specific player with the best position to defend the incoming attacker. Since we don't want to chase the attacker from behind, this defender needs to be between the ball and our goal.

  After identifying this player, we can use Player Switching, preferably by clicking the right analog stick in their direction.

  Of course, switching control to this specific player is only the first part. Now we need to get them into a position that allows us to counter the opponent and then anticipate their next move.

  Once we're certain we have a 100% chance of getting a touch, we need to observe the opponent's body positioning and patterns to ensure we're aware of all dangers ahead of time and maximize our chances of a successful goal.

  

  Mistake 3: Risky Tackles

  However, while doing this, we also need to be mindful of a key issue: avoiding being overly aggressive in the wrong position. This can lead to two of the most serious defensive errors: dragging players out of position and taking risks with low-success tackles.

  So, let me show you how to use a proactive defensive mentality to become a better defender and avoid these mistakes.

  Dragging players like center-backs or full-backs while chasing the ball can leave large gaps behind the defense and disrupt the shape. The solution to this problem is to shift our defensive mentality, prioritizing shape over immediately pressing the opponent, even sending defenders out early in the game.

  I've also found that as long as the opponent doesn't get close to our box, we can still rely on our midfielders to defend. Therefore, marking the midfielders and wingers is extremely useful, and there's absolutely no need to disrupt the backline's shape.

  We also need to be mindful of our positioning. While not the only issue, using a tackle or sliding tackle while off-balance or away from the ball can also significantly disrupt the defensive structure - a classic mistake.

  If we attempt a tackle too far, the player will lose their balance, and our next player switch will be delayed, resulting in a lose-lose situation.

  However, if we remain patient, using only LT/L2 for jockeying and maintaining balance, we can mirror our opponent's movements until we find an opportunity to tackle. Simply continue this mirroring defense patiently, and when the opponent directly faces you and pushes the ball away from their feet to facilitate dribbling, your opportunity presents itself!

  In short, if you want to maintain a defensive advantage in FIFA 26, avoid these three mistakes. Stay patient, and you'll easily win the game defensively by removing the ball from your opponent's hands as they make runs wide.