EA Sports has deployed the highly anticipated v1.1.0 update for FC 26, bringing substantial enhancements that address some of the community's most pressing concerns. This patch focuses on refining core gameplay systems, particularly passing accuracy, defensive mechanics, and AI behavior, with changes driven largely by player feedback.
The Kick-Off Glitch Gets Eliminated
After weeks of frustration, EA has finally addressed one of FC 26's most exploited issues. The notorious kick-off glitch, which allowed attackers to breeze through defensive lines immediately after kickoff for cheap goals, has been eliminated. The solution involves significantly more aggressive man-marking by AI defenders specifically during kick-offs, ensuring that your backline maintains proper positioning and prevents those unrealistic early strikes that have plagued competitive matches since launch.
This change is exclusive to competitive gameplay modes and only affects the defensive team's AI players, meaning manual control remains as flexible as before while automated positioning becomes far more reliable.
Through Balls Receive Complete Overhaul
Passing mechanics have undergone their most significant transformation yet, with ground and lofted through balls now respecting player aim input far more accurately. EA has reduced the excessive assistance that was causing passes to deviate from their intended targets, giving skilled players greater control over their distribution.
The update resolves several persistent issues where through balls would miss intended receivers despite correct input, fail to lead targets appropriately, or get unintentionally affected by weather conditions in Authentic gameplay. First-time through pass requests that were occasionally causing players to trap the ball instead of passing have also been corrected, improving the fluidity of quick counter-attacks.
Additionally, crossing accuracy has been refined to ensure that low cross requests consistently produce the intended result rather than defaulting to regular crosses, giving you more tactical options in the final third.
Manual Defending Becomes More Responsive
Defensive jockeying has received a substantial boost, with both jockey and sprint jockey movements now responding faster and more intuitively to controller input. Sprint jockey speed has been increased for user-controlled players, allowing you to track pacey wingers more effectively.
These improvements reward skilled defenders who prefer taking manual control rather than relying on AI assistance, adding another layer of skill expression to competitive play. Standing tackles have also been enhanced with improved animation selection, addressing frustrating situations where tackles would initiate twice, end prematurely, or incorrectly win the ball from behind.
AI Intelligence Gets Smarter
Attacking AI has been upgraded significantly, with teammates now making more intelligent runs that avoid clashing with other players and better assess potential offside positions. This reduces the instances where your attackers would mysteriously end their runs or position themselves behind defenders instead of exploiting open space.
Defensive AI improvements extend beyond kick-offs, with more players now staying back during corners to prevent counter-attacks, and better positioning overall. Corner kick scenarios have also been refined, with goalkeepers showing improved reactions to near-post shots and far-post crosses from short corner setups.
Ball Control and Movement Refined
Player movement has been fine-tuned to feel more natural and responsive. Ball trapping now maintains momentum better, allowing players to preserve more sprint speed during first touches rather than killing their pace completely. This creates smoother gameplay transitions and more realistic attacking sequences.
Controlled sprint dribbling speed has been moderately reduced to improve balance, though you can now trigger directed runs during controlled sprints for better offensive coordination. The update also removes fancy ball traps from players without the Trickster PlayStyle, ensuring skill moves remain exclusive to appropriate player archetypes.
Ultimate Team Quality of Life Improvements
Ultimate Team receives several valuable additions that will be activated through server releases following the title update. You'll soon be able to sort Squad Building Challenges by newest or expiry date, preview Evolution requirements before purchasing, and favorite Objectives for easier tracking directly from the pause menu.
The update also addresses numerous UI bugs, including issues with formation displays, transfer market bidding, squad assignment saving, and various visual glitches across menus and match presentations.
What This Means for Competitive Play
Version 1.1.0 represents a clear shift toward rewarding manual skill and reducing AI exploitation. The kick-off glitch fix alone will dramatically improve the competitive integrity of online matches, while the passing and defending refinements raise the skill ceiling for experienced players.
Community reactions have been mixed despite the changes originating from player feedback, suggesting that some adjustments may require further tuning in future updates. EA continues to prioritize community input for FC 26's development, and this patch demonstrates their commitment to addressing the most impactful issues first.
Build Your Ultimate Squad
These gameplay improvements create new opportunities for tactical diversity and skilled play. If you're looking to strengthen your Ultimate Team and take advantage of these enhanced mechanics, you can buy FC 26 coins at FUTCOIN to get the players you need to dominate the competition.
