After the significant financial underperformance of EA FC 25, which saw EA's market value drop by a staggering $6 billion, EA SPORTS has reportedly promised "revolutionary changes" for the next installment, FC 26 . While official details remain scarce, early leaks and rumors have begun to surface, offering a glimpse into potential overhauls for core modes like Ultimate Team, Division Rivals, and FUT Champions, as well as changes to player mechanics . This article delves into the latest FC 26 News, Leaks, and Rumors surrounding the game's future.
The Context: Why a Revolution is Needed
The annual EA football title boasts a long tradition and immense popularity, originally known globally as the FIFA release before EA lost the FIFA license in 2022 and rebranded to EA SPORTS FC . Expectations were high for EA FC 25 following the rebranding, with fans hoping for a substantial leap forward . However, despite struggling to become a best-selling game according to some analytics and sales charts – which is still a significant achievement in a crowded market given the high expectations – the game was described as a "failure" . This underperformance led to a $500 million cut in revenue projections for the third quarter, resulting in the substantial drop in market value .
Sources indicate that key issues for EA FC 25 included a lack of innovation in gameplay, with many players and critics feeling it was too similar to past titles despite updated rosters and graphics . The launch was also marred by technical glitches, bugs, and server problems, particularly affecting online modes like Ultimate Team . Post-launch updates were reportedly few, especially those addressing gameplay and performance issues . The game's price was slashed faster than expected across platforms, often seen as a sign of weaker-than-anticipated sales . Competition in the gaming market, not just from other football simulations but free-to-play titles, esports, and other genres, also played a role . This collective underperformance has led to the promise of significant changes .
The Promise and Early FC 26 Leaks
During investor calls, EA SPORTS conveyed a message of hope, promising "revolutionary changes" to boost sales in the next installment . Although specific details were limited, it is speculated that this could involve smarter AI, a new gameplay style, a less stressful online experience, or borrowing ideas from other successful titles such as a more realistic story mode, enhanced career mode customization, or entirely new game modes . Improved support, consistent title updates with new players and real faces, and new licensing rights are also potential areas for improvement . EA views FC 25's failure as a "wake-up call" and an opportunity to rethink and rebuild . The delay of competing games like GTA VI until May 2026 is seen as a potential opportunity for EA SPORTS to capture attention if FC 26 succeeds .
Leaks regarding FC 26 have reportedly begun earlier than usual . Sources like @FGZNews and @DetectiveFUT are cited as providing early information, though it's stressed that this is based on testing phases and is subject to change . Some leaks suggest that the early release of this information might be a deliberate strategy by EA to generate hype for the next game, given the issues with the current one .
Potential Overhauls in Core Modes
Some of the most notable FC 26 Leaks point to significant changes in Ultimate Team's structure and other popular modes:
Tournaments and Live Events
According to leaks, Tournaments are expected to make a comeback in Ultimate Team, appearing as Live Events rather than a standalone new game mode . There could be up to two tournaments per week, including both competitive and friendly types . These modes may feature cup and card objectives, allowing players to earn bonus rewards on top of early SBCs or potentially earning special cards, coins, and packs, reminiscent of Daily Knockout Tournaments from previous titles . This potential addition is seen by some as a much-needed change to keep the game interesting, addressing the feeling of staleness from modes remaining largely unchanged for years .
FUT Champions Revamp
Leaks suggest a significant overhaul to FUT Champions . The playoff qualification system might be removed . Instead, players in Division 5 or higher would immediately qualify for the main FUT Champions event . For players in Division 6 or lower, a new version called FUT Champ Challengers is being tested, specifically for lower Division Rivals players . This tiered approach is rumored to potentially offer different reward structures and aims to make FUT Champs more accessible .
Division Rivals Changes
Division Rivals is also rumored to receive updates . Checkpoints could be replaced by "Stage Events" with objectives, offering extra rewards for completion (e.g., scoring first in the next game) . Win streaks are being tested to grant double Rivals points . Relegation protection is still expected for tough runs . A significant rumored change is a penalty for leaving too many games, potentially involving a time penalty preventing players from queueing for a certain period . While this might discourage quitting, some players anticipate it could be frustrating, especially if applied universally regardless of the game state .
Player Mechanics and Other FC 26 Rumors
Beyond mode overhauls, FC 26 Leaks touch upon changes to player mechanics:
New Player Roles and Playstyles
The controversial "Roles" feature, introduced previously, is expected to return in FC 26, alongside Playstyles . New roles being tested include CB - Wide Back, CDM - Box Crasher, and LB/RB - Inverted Wingback . Playstyle updates are also mentioned, with "Enforcer" listed as a new playstyle . Existing Playstyles like "Aerial" may become "Aerial Fortress," "Flair" may change to "Trailblazer," and "Trivela" to "Inventive" . The new focus is reportedly on "Versatility" . While Playstyles are seen by some as beneficial, the return of Roles is viewed negatively by some players who feel it complicates squad building unnecessarily .
Other Potential Changes
Other FC 26 Rumors circulating include the testing of an "open-world" concept, although early feedback on this is reportedly negative, leading to speculation that it might not launch with FC 26 but possibly FC 27 or as a mid-year update . The Moments mode in Ultimate Team might also be removed . Crossplay is expected to continue but possibly be limited to consoles of the same generation, excluding PC from crossplay with consoles . There are also leaks suggesting the potential addition of goalkeeper Evolutions, a feature previously unavailable to keepers . Rumors of new Icon cards, including Arjen Robben, Sergio Aguero, Toni Kroos, and Alex Morgan, have also surfaced . Regarding FC 26 Coins, players are expected to continue earning in-game currency and items through playing modes like Tournaments, FUT Champions, and Division Rivals, as indicated by the leaked rewards structures . The possibility of AI bots or Dynamic Difficulty Adjustment (DDA) in gameplay remains a topic of community discussion and speculation, though sources acknowledge the lack of concrete proof while noting EA has patented such technology .
Anticipating the FC 26 Release Date and Trailer
While EA has not officially announced the FC 26 Release Date, the company has stated that the game will launch in the second quarter of their fiscal year 2026, which spans from July 1st to September 30th, 2025 . However, rumors from leakers like Arkenfoot suggest a potentially earlier release than usual this year . The Ultimate Edition is rumored for release around August 23rd, 2025, followed by the Standard Edition about a week later, potentially August 30th, 2025 . Many still anticipate the release will fall on the traditional last Friday of September, which would be September 26th, 2025 .
The official reveal and first trailer for FC 26 were rumored by Arkenfoot to drop sometime between May 20th and May 27th, 2025 . If this early trailer rumor holds true, it might lend credence to the speculated earlier August release date . The game is expected to be available on PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, PC, and possibly the new Nintendo Switch 2 . Standard editions are not expected to see a price increase .
Conclusion
The underperformance of EA FC 25 has clearly put pressure on EA SPORTS to deliver a significantly improved product with FC 26 . The promise of "revolutionary changes," coupled with the early wave of FC 26 Leaks and FC 26 Rumors, suggests that major updates to core game modes and mechanics are being considered . While these potential changes are currently based on testing and leaks, they offer a hopeful outlook for fans seeking innovation . The coming months leading up to the eventual FC 26 Release Date and the official reveal will be crucial in determining if EA SPORTS can truly deliver the comeback story players are hoping for . Stay tuned for more FC 26 News as information becomes officially available.
