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Barutti81's avatar
Barutti81
Seasoned Newcomer
23 days ago

EA SPORTS FC 26 – Goalkeeper Controls & Accessibility Issue

Hello EA FC Development / Accessibility Team,

My name is Serhat. I am an active eSports player in TEFL, VPG, and EML leagues, and I live with a 92% disability (I play using a gamepad without being able to use my fingers). For me, accessibility is not a luxury – it is the only way I can actually play.

For the past three years, I have been playing as a goalkeeper in Clubs. I had built strong muscle memory with the previous control scheme. However, with FC 26, the new goalkeeper controls:

Removed the old “Triangle / Y” based automatic reflex & timed rush-out behavior.

Changed right analog reflex input, which now makes the goalkeeper walk uncontrollably instead of reacting instantly.

Eliminated auto reflex assistance, meaning I now need to give a precise manual input right after the shot, which is physically almost impossible for me.

As a result, I am currently unable to play the game as a goalkeeper.

🔎 My Questions

Legacy GK Controls:

Could the old goalkeeper control scheme be brought back as an optional setting?

Reflex Assist Toggle:

Will there be an option to enable/disable auto reflex assists for accessibility purposes?

Button Remapping / Alternative Scheme:

Are there any plans to provide alternative control mappings specifically for goalkeepers with accessibility needs?

Community Feedback Response:

Many players globally are reporting the same issues I am describing. How is EA planning to respond to this shared feedback?

For me, this is not just about a different play style – it creates an accessibility barrier. Unless an optional setting is added, continuing as a goalkeeper in FC 26 becomes impossible for me.

I am eagerly looking forward to your response.

Thank you,
Serhat

9 Replies

  • LucasAMC's avatar
    LucasAMC
    Seasoned Traveler
    22 days ago

    In EA FC 26, it is impossible to play as a goalkeeper in Pro Clubs for anyone who is not a superhuman with super reflexes and who plays directly from within EA's server. 

  • Barutti81's avatar
    Barutti81
    Seasoned Newcomer
    22 days ago

    Hello again,
    In my previous message, I shared some general issues. Now let me talk about my specific control settings:
    I rely on PlayStation accessibility remapping to play. I can only use a few buttons with my right hand, so my custom settings are as follows:

    L3: Sprint
    Square: L1 Positioning
    Circle: Cross
    X: Pass
    R1: Shoot
    Triangle: Quick Escape and Recovery

    I can't physically use the other buttons. Therefore, all my goalkeeper reflexes and 1vs1 situations were tied to the Triangle button. For example, when facing a forward, I would tap the Triangle button to micro adjust my run, hold it down during the shot, release it just before the ball reached me to trigger the auto reflex save, and steer with the left analog stick. I used the same method for long shots, free kicks, and corner kicks. Additionally, I used the left analog stick to sprint (L3) and steer when diving to the far corner.

    The change in the Triangle button's function in FC 26 completely disrupted my playstyle. I can't use my hand and fingers effectively enough to switch between the analog stick and other buttons. Diving and punching movements, in particular, have become impossible for me.

    So I need to ask with urgency:

    The old Triangle/Y behavior must be brought back as an optional “Classic GK Controls” setting or at the very least, an accessibility option must be added to reassign the Triangle button to its previous functions.

    As a player with a 92% disability, this is not optional for me. I purchased FC 26 in early access, but right now I cannot play the game as a goalkeeper the role I’ve dedicated myself to for years. This is a devastating disappointment.

    Without an immediate accessibility solution, I am completely locked out of the position I love most. Please treat this as a priority fix. 

    Regards
    Serhat

  • exactly i been playing GK since it first release which i think almost 10over years and had muscle memory with the same game play through out but this yesr it changes everything and is not fun anymore makes me very annoyed to even play the game anymore especially the auto Triangle which can do alot of things and makes alot of nice animation, but now i cant even think of any button to even make a simple save or chasing the ball, even the ball just rolling very slowly beside me i dont even know what button to press to save or grab the ball.

    if i flick the right stick it will dive stupidly to the side, if i press square it will do stupid animation, if i just walk towards the ball it will just stand there and do nothing watching the ball rolling slowly, if press triangle it will not rush towards the ball anymore as it is for rushing forward and not towards the loose ball. is really making me very frustrated really destroying the whole gameplay and the fun of playing GK anymore. 

    please bring back the old game play and controls mechanics for the GK please games is the bring joy to player and not frustatikn and disappointment 

     

     

  • DiVine1987's avatar
    DiVine1987
    New Rookie
    22 days ago

    im very strongly agreed with u bro so much frustration and annoyance to the position i love to play now

  • Ea please fix goalkeepers. I've met more than a few goalkeepers with a disability over the years who are now unable to play. Please ea fix this. 

  • it can be considered to add more assisted option for the people who have difficulty to press buttons physically. but i disagree with a opinion that it should go back to previous ways of controlling GK. Because using y button for auto saving was not fun for me. present method which gives gk users more controls is much more better for me.

  • -Tiinchho-26's avatar
    -Tiinchho-26
    Seasoned Newcomer
    15 days ago

    Ser portero siempre ha sido una posición que requiere anticipación, reflejos y una capacidad única para leer las jugadas. Sin embargo, los cambios recientes en las mecánicas de control han llevado esta experiencia a niveles de frustración que no deberían existir.

    Hoy en día, no solo tenemos que anticiparnos, como cualquier buen portero lo haría, sino que también debemos estar constantemente pensando en qué tipo de tiro nos harán. ¿Será un disparo raso? ¿Un tiro al ángulo? ¿Un centro peligroso? Todo esto mientras intentamos lidiar con controles que no son intuitivos y que, en lugar de facilitar la experiencia, nos complican incluso las acciones más básicas, como realizar una parada sencilla o salir a cortar un balón suelto.

    A esto se suma el problema de los servidores, que muchas veces no funcionan correctamente. Las desconexiones, el lag y la falta de respuesta inmediata en los movimientos hacen que jugar como portero sea una tarea casi imposible. En una posición donde cada segundo cuenta, el mal funcionamiento de los servidores puede ser la diferencia entre una parada espectacular y un gol completamente evitable.

    El rol de portero debería ser una experiencia emocionante y gratificante, no una fuente constante de frustración. Es hora de que los desarrolladores escuchen a la comunidad y trabajen en soluciones que devuelvan la diversión y la accesibilidad a esta posición fundamental en el juego.

  • Maddog281's avatar
    Maddog281
    Rising Novice
    14 days ago

    Translation according to google translate for anyone too lazy to translate it:

     

    Being a goalkeeper has always been a position that requires anticipation, reflexes, and a unique ability to read plays. However, recent changes in control mechanics have taken this experience to levels of frustration that shouldn't exist.

     

    Nowadays, we not only have to anticipate, as any good goalkeeper would, but we also have to constantly think about what type of shot will be thrown at us. Will it be a low shot? A shot into the corner? A dangerous cross? All this while trying to navigate unintuitive controls that, instead of making the experience easier, complicate even the most basic actions, such as making a simple save or stepping out to block a loose ball.

     

    Added to this is the problem of servers, which often don't work properly. Disconnections, lag, and a lack of immediate response to movements make playing as a goalkeeper a nearly impossible task. In a position where every second counts, a malfunctioning server can be the difference between a spectacular save and a completely avoidable goal.

     

     The goalkeeper role should be an exciting and rewarding experience, not a constant source of frustration. It's time for developers to listen to the community and work on solutions that bring fun and accessibility back to this fundamental role in the game.

  • TXchem's avatar
    TXchem
    Rising Scout
    5 days ago

    Been playing GK for years and hating the current setup.
    However, I am a big fan of pure manual controls for every position.
    So, while you have made a post in the wrong thread, it is not without reason.

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