FC 26 Review
- Matthew Rondina
- 4 days ago
- 6 min read
FC 26 delivers the most refined football experience yet, with smart gameplay tweaks, stunning visuals, and full feature parity across consoles, my full review.
This year’s EA Sports FC 26 marks the franchise’s second entry since parting ways with the FIFA branding, and it feels like a confident step forward. I spent time with both the PlayStation 5 Pro and Nintendo Switch 2 versions, and it was exciting to experience the full breadth of football both at home and on the go. On Sony’s hardware, I could appreciate an incredible level of fidelity on the Nintendo Switch 2, I could literally take the pitch with me anywhere with very few trade-offs. For the first time since the console’s launch, the Nintendo Switch 2 boasts full feature parity with other platforms, making FC 26 the most complete handheld football experience to date.
"The FC franchise has thrived on small refinements, and this year is no different as it continues to put its best foot forward on the pitch."
The FC franchise has thrived on small refinements, and this year is no different as it continues to put its best foot forward on the pitch. There are upgrades and tweaks that don’t reinvent EA’s football formula, but make it play and feel better than it has in years. The result is a familiar yet fresh experience that longtime fans like me will immediately appreciate. Let’s step onto the pitch in FC 26 and see what’s instore for footy fans this season on the PS5 and Nintendo Switch 2.
EA Sports FC 26 Details
Platform(s): PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch 2, PC, Xbox Series X|S
Reviewed on: PlayStation 5 Pro and Nintendo Switch 2
Developer: EA Vancouver
Publisher: Electronic Arts
Genre: Sports Simulation
Available game modes: Manager Career, Player Career, Ultimate Team, Clubs, Kick-Off, and new Manager Live scenarios
ESRB Rating: E for Everyone
FC 26 Gameplay Offers More Options This Season
The most immediate change I noticed in FC 26 is its two new distinct gameplay experiences: Competitive and Authentic. The Competitive preset prioritizes responsiveness and quick transitions, perfect for online matches or when you want that arcade-like speed of back-and-forth football.
"For purists like me, this is the most grounded version of EA Sports FC to date, offering a greater level of realistic pacing and on-field strategizing."
The new Authentic preset, however, slows the game down in a satisfying way, offering an experience closer to real football. It rewards build-up play, thoughtful passing, and intelligent positioning. For purists like me, this is the most grounded version of EA Sports FC to date, offering a greater level of realistic pacing and on-field strategizing.
An Authentic Football Experience
I gravitated toward Authentic gameplay almost instantly. Passes now carry a satisfying weight and purpose, with crisper animations that make short exchanges and through balls feel cleaner than ever. I also found that defenders hold their line more naturally, and the ball physics strike a sweet balance between realism and playability.
"I also found that defenders hold their line more naturally, and the ball physics strike a sweet balance between realism and playability."
There are still moments where defensive AI can lose focus, allowing a runner too much space, but the overall feel is vastly improved from FC 25.
FC 26 Graphics and Presentation
Playing on the PlayStation 5 Pro, the experience is undeniably smooth. The game benefits from richer lighting, more realistic player models, and incredibly fluid animations. During high-tempo matches, the frame rate stays solid, even during chaotic scrambles in the box. The only lag I experienced is with some of the windows and UI navigation. Outside of that, especially on the pitch, it’s an incredibly polished visual experience.
Nintendo Switch 2 Graphics and Performance
On the Nintendo Switch 2, FC 26 holds its own impressively well, even with a capped 30 frames per second in handheld mode. To maintain steady performance, EA has made a few visual adjustments: simplified hair rendering, lower-resolution grass and crowd textures, and slightly pared-back sideline details. While these tweaks trim some visual polish and frills, they don’t detract from the fun or the feel of the game. It also means the gameplay remains smooth and consistent, and I didn’t run into any slowdown or graphical glitches on the Switch 2.
"Having the full FC 26 experience with every mode and feature running seamlessly on the Switch 2 feels like a milestone moment for handheld sports gaming."
Portable football has been tricky to get right for years, but this time EA truly delivers. Having the full FC 26 experience with every mode and feature running seamlessly on the Switch 2 feels like a milestone moment for handheld sports gaming. Despite the inevitable graphical trade-offs, the game looks crisp and vibrant on the Switch 2’s display. It’s easily one of the most complete and impressive ways yet to take the beautiful game on the go.
FC 26 Exclusive Nintendo Switch 2 Features
The Nintendo Switch 2 version also introduces a few exclusive social and accessibility features that genuinely enhance how you play. One standout is GameShare via GameChat, a clever system that lets you invite friends on the Nintendo Switch 2 to join your game sessions, even if they don’t own FC 26 themselves. Through Nintendo’s GameChat service, you can connect over voice or text while sharing access to FC 26 in real time. It’s a simple, seamless way to bring friends into the action, and it works surprisingly well.
Local Seasons and Input Option on the Nintendo Switch 2
Local Seasons also make a welcome return, allowing short-range wireless matches without an internet connection, perfect for friendly rivalries on a bus, in a café, or anywhere that competitive spark strikes.
Add in touch-screen controls for managing squads and split Joy-Con 2 multiplayer support, and this becomes one of the most social, feature-rich football experiences out there. It’s clear EA has worked hard to make FC 26 equally enjoyable wherever and however you play it.
FC 26 Modes and Upgrades
I’ve spent countless hours in the series’ Career and Ultimate Team modes over the years, so I was eager to see how FC 26 refined those pillars. Manager Career now feels more dynamic thanks to new “Manager Live” objectives that appear throughout the season, breaking up the monotony of standard match-to-match management.
New Archetype System
Player Career also benefits from the Archetype system, which replaces the older skill tree model. Rather than grinding attributes, you now sculpt your player’s identity from the outset, choosing a clear focus to anchor their playstyle. You can build a bruising defender, a speedy winger, or a creative midfielder. It makes progression feel more personal, and I found myself genuinely invested in my player’s growth instead of simply chasing arbitrary stat boosts.
Ultimate Team Hampered by Monetization
Ultimate Team remains a double-edged sword. The on-pitch experience is excellent; it's responsive, fluid, and rewarding when building your dream squad. However, it’s still burdened by aggressive monetization. Despite small improvements to progression, microtransactions are everywhere, and the temptation to spend remains woven into the mode’s DNA. As much as I adore crafting my perfect lineup, there’s always a lingering frustration when success feels partly tied to how much you’re willing to spend. If you’re not willing to spend, you can grind for these players, but it requires a big time commitment.
Final Thoughts of FC 26
After spending dozens of hours with EA Sports FC 26, I can confidently say this is the most refined entry in the series. It’s a smarter, smoother, and more balanced version of the football sim I’ve loved for decades. Still, the franchise isn’t completely free from its bad habits. Microtransactions continue to cast a shadow over Ultimate Team, and the defensive AI can occasionally falter in high-pressure situations. But when the ball hits the back of the net after a perfectly timed through pass, it’s hard not to smile. FC 26 may not reinvent the game, but it rekindles the love for virtual football that keeps fans coming back year after year. This season, the beautiful game feels alive again, not because it’s radically different, but because it finally plays the way I always hoped it would.
FC 26 Pros | FC 26 Cons |
+ Refined gameplay with distinct Competitive and Authentic modes | – Persistent microtransactions and pay-to-win elements |
+ Feature parity across all major platforms, including Nintendo Switch 2 | – 30 fps limit on Switch 2 in handheld mode |
+ Smarter AI, smoother animations, and more realistic passing | – Occasional defensive lapses and lack of major structural overhaul |
Overall Assessment of FC 26
Gameplay: 8/10
Graphics: 7.5/10
Sound: 7/10
Lasting Appeal / Replayability: 8/10
Overall Rating of FC 26: 30.5 / 40 (75%)
Nintendo and Electronics Arts provided a copy of FC 26 for review.
About the Author - Matthew "Dapper Tux" Rondina
Matthew has been involved in all things gaming since the 8-bit era. He is a video game and tech industry veteran who has been passionate about technology and gaming for over 20 years. In addition to being the Managing Editor of dappertux.com, he has bylines with Best Buy, Cineplex Entertainment, Mobile Syrup and Walmart. Follow Matthew’s gaming + tech adventures on multiple social platforms with the handle @dapper_tux via X, Instagram, Threads, TikTok, and join in on the fun!
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