sguad battles & AI

I’ve been playing the FIFA series since FIFA 17. I’ve played at every difficulty level and I’d consider myself an above-average player. In Ultimate Team, I’ve experienced all levels over the years. However, in FC 26, especially in Squad Battles mode, I’ve been constantly testing the AI and difficulty levels this year—and what I’m seeing isn’t just challenging, it’s frustrating to the point of being ridiculous.

For example, when using a squad rated around 92, even against a 70-rated silver team on World Class difficulty, it becomes nearly impossible to take the ball off them. A player with 72 physical and 55 pace can somehow catch up to and dispossess a player with 94 pace and 93 overall rating. A team with around 60 passing stats can keep possession for 3 minutes straight without making a single mistake. Even a bronze player with 65 physical can shoulder-charge and take the ball from a midfielder with 96 physical.

Come on—if the goal is realism, how is this realistic? I’m not even talking about Legendary or Ultimate difficulty levels! How can a bronze female player with 63 overall, 51 pace, and 60 physical catch up to Ruud Gullit, who has a 93 overall rating, push him off the ball, and then shield the ball from him using her body?

In the previous versions of the game, the gameplay felt more realistic. Right now, it just feels absurd. No matter how high the difficulty is, how can a player with 50 pace and a 60–70 overall rating outperform and outrun a player with 95 pace and a 94 overall rating? How can they play flawlessly?

Please put an end to this nonsense. A game that claims to deliver a realistic experience is clearly moving in a completely wrong direction.