EA FC 26: ALL THE LATEST LEAKS AND RUMORS
EA Sports FC 26 will hit store shelves in September 2025, and so far, a wealth of news and speculation has already emerged and continues to surface around the final version of the game.
Many leakers and journalists have shared and continue to share information about the upcoming installment of EA FC.
That’s why we’ve created this guide to help you get acquainted with all the key aspects of FC 26 as the release date draws closer.
So don’t wait and read through to the end and don’t let any news or leak catch you by surprise!
WHEN WILL EA SPORTS FC 26 LAUNCH AND WHAT WILL IT LOOK LIKE?
The launch of EA Sports FC 26 is just around the corner. But when exactly, and what do you need to know? Let’s take a closer look.
When will early access begin, and when will the Web App and Companion App launch?
Early access will begin on September 19, 2025, giving Ultimate Edition owners a full week’s head start over other players. Additionally, EA Play members will be able to access a 10-hour trial version starting on the same day.
Meanwhile, the Web App will launch earlier, on September 17, 2025, followed by the Companion App on September 18, allowing players to start building their Ultimate Team before the game’s full release.
For those keeping track of key dates, the first Team of the Week (TOTW) will drop alongside the Web App launch on September 17, giving players immediate access to content.
How to make the most of the Web App/Companion App and FC 26 Beta?
To access the Web App, visit the official website and log in with your EA credentials. The Companion App can be downloaded from your mobile store or set to auto-update from the FC 25 version.
Importantly, Early Access to these apps is possible without pre-ordering the game, provided you created an Ultimate Team club in FC 25 before August 1, 2025, and your account remains in good standing.
As for the FC 26 Beta, the closed Beta starts in early August, and you can read more about it in our dedicated article here: https://supercoinsy.com/article/ea-fc-26-closed-beta-complete-guide.
What’s the difference between the Standard and Ultimate Editions?
In terms of pricing, the Standard Edition costs $69.99, while the Ultimate Edition is priced at $99.99. However, you can already purchase EA FC 26 cheaper on PC at our store here: https://supercoinsy.com/steam-games-steam-gifts! The Ultimate Edition offers significant benefits compared to the Standard Edition:
- 7 days of early access (starting September 19)
- 6000 FC Points spread over two months (4500 for Nintendo Switch players)
- Additional player Evolution slot
- Premium Season Pass
- Career Mode benefits, including 3 Icons, a 5-star coach, and a 5-star youth scout
Players who order the Ultimate Edition before August 26 will receive exclusive bonuses for both FC 25 and FC 26, including a 93+ OVR Icon choice pack for FC 25 and an untradeable Icon for FC 26.
NEW GAME MODES AND ULTIMATE TEAM FEATURES IN FC 26
The latest leaks suggest major changes to game modes in EA Sports FC 26, with several innovative features that could completely transform what EA has accustomed us to in previous installments.
Rumors of an Open World mode and VOLTA integration
FC 26 may introduce an ambitious Open World mode, currently in development, as confirmed by numerous trailer leaks.
This feature would allow players to create and customize an avatar, own a virtual home, buy clothes in stores, and even drive their own car. The Open World environment could be integrated with VOLTA street football, creating a seamless blend between casual street matches and a broader football experience.
However, early testers describe the current implementation as “severely limited” and “narrowed,” potentially confined to “training ground tunnels, perhaps locker rooms,” rather than a “fully explorable city.” As this is EA’s first attempt at an open-world mode, it’s uncertain whether this feature will be fully implemented in FC 26 or pushed to FC 27.
Weekend League (UT Champions) split into Challengers and Champions
The popular Weekend League in Ultimate Team will undergo a significant restructuring in FC 26. The mode will be split into two tiers: Challengers for players in Divisions 6-10 and Champions for those in Division 5 and above.
This change eliminates separate qualifications, as access will now be granted automatically. As a result, you’ll primarily compete against players of similar skill levels, creating a more balanced and enjoyable experience.
Alongside this restructuring, EA plans to introduce more dynamic events and themed competitions throughout the season.
New Icons and Heroes in Ultimate Team
FC 26 Ultimate Team will feature a new lineup of Icons and Heroes. Leaked Icons include Zlatan Ibrahimović, Andreas Iniesta, Toni Kroos, Arjen Robben, and Marcelo. The legendary Diego Maradona, who appeared in FC 25, will also return.
As for Heroes, names like Ricardo Quaresma, Pablo Aimar, Ivan Zamorano, Daniele De Rossi, Jill Scott, Louis Necib, Michel Salgado, and Simone Laudehr have been revealed.
These stars should significantly expand your options for building unique and powerful squads in the upcoming FC 26 Ultimate Team mode.
WHICH NEW LEAGUES AND TEAMS WILL APPEAR IN EA FC 26?
EA Sports FC 26 will offer an unprecedented level of authenticity with over 35 leagues, more than 20,000 players, and over 750 clubs across more than 120 stadiums.
What do the new league licenses cover?
FC 26 will have exclusivity for several major leagues, including UEFA tournaments and domestic leagues. This includes the Premier League, Bundesliga, La Liga, Serie A, and Ligue 1, as well as women’s competitions like the Barclays WSL, Liga F, and Google Pixel Frauen-Bundesliga. Notably, rumors suggest that Liga MX (Mexican league) may return to the series.
Which clubs will be licensed compared to EA FC 25?
Most leagues retain their licenses from FC 25, but some Italian powerhouses remain absent due to exclusive agreements with competitors. AC Milan and Inter Milan will continue to appear as Milano FC and Lombardia FC, respectively, along with Lazio (Latium) and Atalanta (Bergamo Calcio).
What else should you know about licenses in EA FC 26?
In addition to domestic leagues, FC 26 offers numerous officially licensed cup competitions:
- UEFA tournaments (Champions League, Europa League, Conference League)
- CONMEBOL competitions (Libertadores, Sudamericana, Recopa)
- Domestic cups (FA Cup, DFB-Pokal, Coppa Italia)
SIGNIFICANT GAMEPLAY AND ANIMATION IMPROVEMENTS IN FC 26
The latest rumors point to significant technical improvements in FC 26, focusing primarily on realistic animations and intelligent gameplay mechanics.
What is TRACAB technology and real-time player tracking?
EA’s acquisition of TRACAB technology marks a significant step toward authentic in-game movement. This technology captures real-world player data at 60 Hz per second, generating an impressive 600 million data points per match. It tracks 65 unique data points per player, recording live data alongside ball tracking.
Breakdown of enhanced AI tactics and opponent intelligence
FC 26 introduces hundreds of new animations and movement sequences, with a particular focus on improved AI systems. Key gameplay improvements include: enhanced ball physics with better spin and bounce control, smarter goalkeeper AI with more natural reactions to shots, smoother dribbling mechanics for more natural attacking play, and improved positioning and intelligence in defense. These enhancements aim to deliver a more immersive and authentic experience across all game modes.
VAR integration and live replays in various game modes
FC 26 is set to introduce a VAR system, adding authentic drama to matches, along with live replay functionality in Ultimate Team and Career Mode. Here’s hoping the decisions made by this system will be fair and align with the rules of the game.
SUMMARY
EA Sports FC 26 undoubtedly represents a significant evolution for the series. This is evidenced not only by leaks and trailers but also by EA’s entire marketing campaign.
The innovations surrounding the Open World mode and the refresh of UT Champions and Rivals modes are generating the most excitement, and we can only hope these will be positive changes compared to previous editions.
Speaking of editions, don’t forget to check out our store before purchasing your copy of EA FC 26 - we offer low prices and excellent customer service!
In summary, EA Sports FC 26 is shaping up to be very promising (especially considering everything EA has accustomed us to in recent years), and we can only hope that most, if not all, of the developers’ promises will make it into the game and fulfill their purpose.
We encourage you to revisit this content later, as we’ll continue to update this article with new leaks and news as they emerge!