If EA Sports is serious about turning FC 26 into FC 26 Coins a true management contender, it needs to look at what made Football Manager beloved: depth, realism, and dynamic gameplay. By upgrading Career Mode with these ten essential features, EA can deliver a game that not only satisfies long-time FC players but also converts FM loyalists. With the cancellation of FM 25, the opportunity has never been greater—but it will require bold innovation, not incremental change.

FC 26 Career Mode Must Rise to the Challenge in FM 25’s Absence

With the unexpected cancellation of Football Manager 25, EA Sports finds itself with a massive opportunity—and an equally large responsibility. Football simulation fans who once dedicated countless hours to FM are now searching for a new home, and FC 26 has the potential to be that destination. But for EA Sports to win over the FM faithful, FC 26’s Career Mode must move well beyond the limitations seen in FC 25 and deliver a deeply immersive and detailed managerial experience.

Reviving Budget Negotiation Options

One of the glaring omissions in recent FC titles is the absence of budget increase requests. Older FIFA games such as FIFA 15 and 16 allowed players to ask their board for additional funds in exchange for promising to meet performance goals. It was a brilliant mechanic that added a layer of realism to the manager-board relationship. For FC 26 to satisfy serious management fans, this mechanic must return, accompanied by a more intelligent AI that prevents exploits and makes the feature feel earned.

Let Fans Shape the Narrative

In the real world of football, fan expectations weigh heavily on club decisions. Yet, in FC 25, fan engagement is poorly represented, relegated to an unreliable and bug-filled social media tab. Drawing inspiration from Football Manager’s supporter confidence system, FC 26 should introduce meaningful fan feedback that evolves with club performance. Fan pressure to win derbies, prioritize certain competitions, or promote youth players would add stakes and strategic depth to the game.

Reintroduce and Expand Club Histories

Football Manager fans thrive on detailed data. In FM, players can explore a club’s complete history, from its trophy cabinet to past league standings and goalscorers. FC 25 lacks long-term statistical tracking, erasing seasonal data once a new campaign begins. FC 26 must embrace long-term immersion, allowing players to buy Fut 26 Coins view historical performance stats, career milestones, and club evolution across multiple seasons.