As someone who has been playing the EA Sports FC (formerly FIFA) series for years, I have to admit that FC 25 was a letdown in a lot of key areas, especially considering how good FC 24 was. The gameplay felt sluggish, AI defending was erratic, and attacking mechanics often left players frustrated. Although FC 25 made some decent strides with new animations and some slight tactical tweaks, it still didn’t feel like a major leap forward.
Now, with FC 26 on the horizon, we’re all hoping for a much-needed revamp in AI, attacking play, and player movement. Based on early leaks and speculation, it seems like EA Sports is finally addressing some of these long-standing issues we fans have had with their game. Let’s break down what could make FC 26 the game we’ve been waiting for.
Better AI Defending: No More Ball-Watching Defenders?
One of the biggest frustrations in FC 25 and with a lot of previous installments was the defensive AI—or rather, the lack of it. How many times have you seen your center-backs just stand still while a through ball sails past them? Or fullbacks randomly wander away from their mark, leaving open lanes for your opponent to make easy goals?
Rumors suggest FC 26 is focusing on smarter defensive AI that can read plays better, track runs more effectively, and position themselves properly. If true, this would be a game-changer. We need defenders who:
- Close down space intelligently instead of just backpedaling.
- Intercept passes instead of watching the ball roll by.
- React to rebounds and second balls like real players, rather than standing around cluelessly.
If EA finally nails defensive AI, we could be looking at the most realistic defensive gameplay in the series.
Attacking AI: Smarter Runs, Better Decision-Making
On the attacking side, FC 25 had its own share of problems. Too often, AI teammates would either:
- Make runs too early, leading to constant offsides.
- Not make runs at all, leaving you with no passing options.
- Run straight into defenders instead of exploiting space.
If EA is truly serious about improving AI attacking in FC 26, we should expect players to:
- Make dynamic, well-timed runs, rather than robotic straight-line sprints we sometimes get.
- Adapt their movement to defensive positioning, creating smarter passing lanes.
- React to loose balls quickly, instead of letting defenders recover first.
A smarter attack would not only make the game more fun to play but also bring a higher skill gap, rewarding players who know how to read and exploit space.
Player Movement: More Natural, Less Clunky?
One of my biggest gripes with FC 25 was how stiff and unresponsive players felt sometimes, especially when turning or changing directions. It often felt like players, particularly the AI controlled players were stuck in animations rather than freely moving based on inputs.
For FC 26, a smoother and more fluid movement system is reportedly in the works and If EA can pull this off, we could see:
- More natural turning and acceleration, reducing that annoying “tank-like” feel, particularly in players like Haaland.
- Better responsiveness when dribbling, making skill moves and quick turns more effective.
- Improved momentum-based movement, so that players don’t stop on a dime unrealistically.
If they manage to perfect movement, FC 26 could finally feel like real football instead of an animation-heavy video game.
Will FC 26 Deliver?
At this point, we’ve all been burned before. EA promises big improvements every year, but only delivers half of them. Still, if the AI defending, attacking intelligence, and player movement truly get a serious overhaul, FC 26 could be the best and most responsive sports game in years.
What do you think? Are you optimistic about FC 26, or do you think it’s just another year of empty promises? Let me know—I’m hoping we finally get the game we deserve.