FC 26 Gameplay – EA’s Promises vs Actual Experience
All this is is a Spam incisive, spam incisive, spam incisive, run down the line and pass into idiotic defenders not marking... 4-5-1 4-4-1-1... Spam incisive, spam incisive... DO U EVEN PLAY YOUR OWN GAME?! PURE UTTER GARBAGE GAMEPLAY...
Before launch, EA marketed FC 26 as a gameplay overhaul powered by community feedback.
Promised improvements included:
More responsive dribbling
Smarter AI positioning
Sharper, more explosive movement
Increased passing speed and responsiveness
Reduced bounce-back tackles
Goalkeeper deflections moving the ball away from danger
Sources:
https://www.ea.com/games/ea-sports-fc/fc-26/news/pitch-notes-fc26-gameplay-deep-dive
Below are key gameplay contradictions.
1. Passing
Promise: “Increased passing speed and responsiveness.” (ea.com)
Reality:
Direction often does not match input
Obvious lanes ignored
Through balls dominate, they are way overpowered against a defense of morons who dont understand offside and how to push up or even man mark on the wings.
Result: Exploit-heavy spam replaces structured build-up.
2. Tackling
Promise: “Reduced tackles, blocks, and interceptions bouncing back.”
Reality:
Bounce-back tackles remain common
Clean, well-timed tackles often immediately return the ball
Result: Defending is unrewarding.
3. Dribbling
Promise: “More responsive dribbling.”
Reality:
Heavy and delayed
Skill moves feel slower than defenders
Result: Creative play is punished.
4. Defensive AI
Promise: “Smarter AI positioning and off-ball intelligence.”
Reality:
Centre-backs abandon line
Fullbacks leave wingers
Midfielders fail to track runs
Sometimes midfielders run past the opponent with the ball to reach a tactical position instead of challenging.
The defending AI on this game is shockingly stupid low IQ. Kids in Europe learn how offside work and to push up at like 8-9. But you cant even program it into a game. Its mindblowing how low iq it is. Completely moronic
5. Corners
Promise: Adjusted positioning to reduce counterattacks
Reality:
Players remain massively out of position
One clearance often leads to a 3v2 or 4v2 counter
Result: Corner recovery logic still broken.
Why This Gap Matters
The problem isn’t balance or content.
It’s the difference between what was promised and what players are experiencing.
EA marketed:
responsive dribbling
smarter AI... You couldnt make it dumber even if u tried. Its shocking how bad it is. Its to dumb to keep a defensive line and push up. FB dont mark wingers and tuck in.
CB track runners and open up space instead of keeping line pushing up.
And when they do need to track runners to protect a cross from wing. They dont...
Its just so low IQ its shocking that this is ur best... Im not going into attacking, cause that i can understand is complex. But defending has certain rules wich are clear and its shocking that this isnt coded better.
cleaner defensive interactions
improved passing
Instead, many players experience chaotic AI, unresponsive mechanics, and inconsistent gameplay.
Final Thoughts
The biggest issue in FC 26 is not cosmetics, rewards, or difficulty.
It’s core gameplay systems. Fixing these would improve the game far more than any new content.
Key areas needing attention:
Passing logic
Defensive AI
Tackling outcomes
Dribbling responsiveness
More Servers, middle of Sweden or Norway. 32 ping is a good Rivals game in middle of Norway. Tourney is a nightmare to find a game.
Its like ur trying to create a Ice hockey or Basketball game out of football.... But stop it... Just stop...
Its really hard to understand how this game can be so bad and that the community allows them to get away with all the lies.
Vote with your wallet and dont buy it next year unless its on sale and has great reviews. They dont deserve our money