FC 26: EA FC 26 Gameplay Changes, Removals, and Updates
2025-07-28 07:23
FC 26 brings a massive gameplay overhaul that is perhaps the biggest in the history of the EA FC franchise, and perhaps even the biggest of all time. These changes not only add new and exciting features, but also remove mechanics that players complained about, tweak some mechanics that weren't performing as expected, and fix a ton of gameplay issues with AI, animations, and other issues.
What does the new game preset include?
FC 26 has two game modes: Competitive and Realistic. This is the biggest new addition to the game this year, allowing players to experience the game two different ways. Designed for top teams and clubs, Competitive offers a faster, more responsive experience that is perfect for a competitive environment. There are more rebounds, slower passes, more accurate ball handling, and more realistic animations in Realistic. It's more realistic and predictable.
Competitive is the only preset available in online modes like Clubs and Ultimate Team. Players can choose between Competitive or Realistic in offline modes like Career Mode.
What's new in the FC 26 game fundamentals?
In FC 26, the fundamentals of the gameplay have been significantly changed. Most mechanics have been improved, and many new features have been added, some of which have the potential to be game-changing. However, that's all for now, as some features have been removed, such as timed playthroughs.
Dribbling
The dribbling feature has been improved, and EA has added a dynamic dribbling feature that gives players better control over their players and improves the player's ability to react while dribbling, resulting in more consistent results.
The developers say that Agile Dribbling has been removed because it didn't have much use. They say removing it will make the control of the shielding mechanic more consistent, which will make it more effective. Here are the adjusted dribbling mechanics:
- Dribble Touch Interval: Re-adjusted the distance a player makes contact with the ball when dribbling.
- Player Height: Adjusted the consistency and speed of the animations based on the player's height to balance the performance of tall and short players. Foot Preference: Optimized the dribbling foot preference and animation branching logic to make ball control more responsive.
- Dribble Animation: We re-evaluated and tweaked our library of dribbling animations to ensure they are up to par for responsiveness, consistency, and speed.
- Slow Dribble: Slow Dribble improves the direction logic of the ball when dribbling, allowing players to complete the desired action at a more consistent pace.
- Hard Dribble Touch: To ensure faster, more realistic turns, hard dribble touch animations now kick in during hard dribbling turns.
Movement
Players in previous EA FC games often complained about slow, choppy, and heavy-feeling movement. As this severely impacted the gameplay experience, the developers focused on fixing these issues in FC 26. The main goal was to increase the speed of each player's movement while removing the perception that the fastest players on the field are moving slowly and heavy. All upcoming mobility adjustments in FC 26 are as follows:
- Explosive Sprint: Improves player agility and explosiveness in all directions.
- Movement Style: Adjust movement styles to be more natural and explosive to better reflect the pace of a real football match.
- Attack and Defense Speed: Optimized the difference between attack and defense speeds to better balance the offense and defense.
- Jockey: Improved the jockey's movements to be more agile and responsive. New jockey animations to improve handling and make it more down to earth.
- Turns: Improved animations for all turn types (sharp turns, spin turns, etc.) to be faster and more responsive.
- Low Urgency: Improved low urgency and relaxed animations to make players not directly involved in the play less flustered and keep them ready to speed up at all times.
Goalkeepers
The goalkeeper role has undergone the biggest overhaul of all the game mechanics. Improvements to positioning, the introduction of volumetric animations, and improvements to the AI are among them. The new version is designed to make goalkeepers more stable and reliable in competitive games, and make them look more like they are in real games. The following changes have been made to goalkeeper gameplay in FC 26:
- Deflection Control: Added a new level of control over saving deflections to significantly reduce the number of deflections returned to the opponent.
- Goalkeeper Perception : Improves goalkeepers’ ability to read shot trajectories to better reflect real-world save efforts and shot detection.
- Technical Improvements : Improved fundamental systems for goalkeeper handling, more consistent shot blocking, and better decision making in one-on-one situations.
- Volume Animation : Based on real-world volumetric motion capture data, resulting in smoother, more realistic movement.
Be-A-GoalKeeper
While the changes to the Be-A-GoalKeeper feature are part of the overall Goalkeeper feature, the changes are significant as they change the way goalkeepers work in many ways. As such, the changes deserve their own section. The feature includes new control buttons, more assist levels, optimized UI components, and a completely revamped presentation. Here are all the changes to Be-A-GoalKeeper in FC 26:
- Save Direction : Flicking the right stick will cause the goalkeeper to prepare to save in that direction for a short period of time.
- Cross Call : When a cross ball comes in, you can call for a catch or punch, and timing is important.
- Punch (when the ball passes): ⚪ || B
- Catch (when the ball passes): ⬜ || X
- One-on-one situations : When charging the offensive ball carrier, you can try to block the ball, or try to use your own strength to block the incoming ball. The direction of this action depends on the direction you are moving.
- Sprint: △ || Y
- Pickup/Strangle: ⬜ || X
- Reaction Save/Make Yourself Bigger: ⚪ || B
- Reaction Save : When the shooter is close or you want to master the timing of the dive yourself, you can modify the dive direction to immediately attempt a save.
- Reaction Dive on Demand: R1 + Right Stick Flick || RB + Right Stick Flick
- New Dive Direction UI : New dive direction UI appears when there is a potential for a shot.
- Updated Positioning UI : Updated auto-positioning AR visuals.
- Camera : All-new 11v11 camera that brings you closer to the action, with the ability to manually pan the camera.
- Camera pan: L1 + left stick direction || LB + left stick direction
The above are some of the gameplay changes that will appear in EA FC 26, which will surely make the FC 26 series one of the most amazing works in history. Players' experience and time will determine whether it can be finally realized.
![]() |
Elijah: I’ve used BUYFIFACOINS for FC 25 COINS, and every order has been delivered quickly without any issues. Their live chat support is super responsive and helpful. The site is easy to navigate, prices are fair, and everything feels secure. Definitely one of the most reliable services I’ve used.
The customer has bought: FC 25 Coins |
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
![]() |
Caelis: Fast responses and everything went well, they helped me during the chat process, and were really fast!
The customer has bought: FC 25 Coins |
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
![]() |
Gunnar: Smooth and instant transaction! Purchased 800k FUT Coins here and everything worked perfectly. No issues, fast delivery, and great value. Would definitely buy again in FC 26!
The customer has bought: FC 25 Coins |
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
![]() |
Florian: I’ve used these guys a few times, and they are always quick and always kind. Thank you guys for your service and your work.
The customer has bought: FC 25 Coins |
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
![]() |
Meier: Great customer service, smooth transaction & VERY cheap services. Buyfifacoins was VERY helpful.
The customer has bought: FC 25 Coins |
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
![]() |
Swagbull: What made my experience with buying through this website was the live chat help, she made everything very simple and easy to understand, 10/10 customer service!
The customer has bought: FC 25 Coins |
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
![]() |
Sam: Awesome, always get what I pay for, and they do it quickly. It's amazing, multiple orders always on top of it, great communication.
The customer has bought: FC 25 Players |
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
![]() |
Josh: was unbelievably helpful. Literally answered all my questions before I could even type the message out. Highly recommended.
The customer has bought: FC 25 Players |
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
![]() |
Bren: Every time I used BUYFIFACOINS, I get a good service and my FUT players to fast, and every time I have some questions or I need help, they always help.
The customer has bought: FC 25 Players |
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
![]() |
Gregory: I've used it several times and already a great customer experience when I bought the FC 25 Coins or Players. Fast and trustworthy. Especially, excellent customer service.
The customer has bought: FC 25 Players |
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
![]() |
Morrison: Superfast and cheap delivery. Actually crazy how cheap and how fast I got my items! And very nice customer service with the live chat helped me really fast with a minor issue! Overall great!
The customer has bought: FC 25 Players |
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
![]() |
Scott: I have used the BUYFIFACOINS service many times and am always delighted with the speed of implementation. The online chat was as clear as possible! Thank you very much!
The customer has bought: FC 25 Players |
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |