Football Manager 26: A fresh start after a year of silence

GAMING NEWS AlexP - Nov 3, 2025, 12:15 - 41 comments

After the surprising cancellation of Football Manager 25, all eyes are now on Football Manager 26 to prove that the wait was worth it. Fans of the long-running series have been eager for a true step forward, and this year’s release carries more weight than ever. The cancellation of last year’s entry created both frustration and anticipation — frustration because of the gap it left, but anticipation because it gave the developers time to rebuild and reimagine the experience from the ground up.

That extra year has set expectations sky-high. Football Manager 26 isn’t just another yearly update; it’s a statement of renewal. With a completely redesigned matchday experience and a modernized interface, the game aims to show that the franchise can still evolve without losing its identity. Fans expect smoother management tools, smarter decision-making from the AI, and a new level of immersion during matches. There’s a sense that this is more than just a continuation — it’s the start of a new era for digital football management.

One of the most exciting aspects of Football Manager 26 is its inclusion on Xbox Game Pass from day one. For fans, that means instant access without any extra cost beyond their existing subscription. It’s a game-changing move for accessibility, allowing new players to jump into the experience easily and giving long-time fans a simple way to test the latest version without commitment. This also opens the door to a much broader community, as console players who might have never tried the series before can now explore the full depth of its strategy and realism.

The addition of Game Pass access underlines how the series is evolving to meet modern gaming habits. It recognizes that convenience and accessibility are as important today as innovation and realism.

Why it deserves players’ attention

Beyond its accessibility, Football Manager 26 deserves attention for the ambition it represents. The game redefines what football management can feel like, combining improved visuals, deeper analysis tools, and a more intuitive experience. It’s built to reward strategic thinking and long-term planning, while also offering the drama, tension, and emotional highs that make football so addictive.

In short, the game stands as both a comeback and a promise — a sign that patience can indeed pay off when it’s matched by true evolution. Don’t forget to use our price comparison tool to find the best prices for Football Manager 26.

lasota

Nov 12, 2025, 13:20 on dlcompare.es

I don't think it will mark a new era because this game is unplayable. As someone who put many hours into FM24, I honestly expected the same, but with better graphics. Nothing to see. This game is riddled with bugs and has many, many screens left over. Also, for every click in FM24, it takes between three and four. It's a lousy job and I don't understand how they could fail so badly. The developers made this game to play for half a season. It has no depth, no immersion, nothing. A mediocre, soulless game.

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wargamos

Nov 11, 2025, 09:22 on dlcompare.fr

After a blank year and the cancellation of the 2025 opus, the arrival of FM 26 marks a real challenge for Sports Interactive, which promises a major overhaul and new ambitions. However, this long wait is generating enormous pressure: if the innovations are interesting, the community will demand much more than a simple "new start". Trust must now be regained.

Nachos

Nov 11, 2025, 09:11 on dlcompare.fr

I agree in principle: FM26 marks a new departure, and it shows. The match engine is more fluid, the atmosphere more immersive, and you can feel that the game has tried to modernize itself after a year's break. But as a long-time player, I'm still a little disappointed. The interface is pretty but not super-practical, some of the options we loved have disappeared, and the game still lacks polish. You can feel the potential, but also that it's a foundation for the future rather than a culmination. In short: well-intentioned, incomplete execution. It's good to see FM evolve, but for the moment, it looks more like a transitional version than the revolution I'd hoped for. Personally, I'll keep playing it, but hope for a big patch soon.

morian741

Nov 10, 2025, 18:21 on dlcompare.nl

We have waited years for Football Manager, and the disappointment is as great as the enthusiasm and expectation of the players. It's not a terrible game per se; it's perfectly playable, but it adds shortcomings where they weren't needed. The graphics engine is a real plus; the matches are engaging and the gameplay is pretty good. The transfer area is a great addition. The tactical aspect with and without the ball is also a very good idea. New licenses are also a nice addition

Nargytur

Nov 10, 2025, 09:18 on dlcompare.es

With so much negativity surrounding the game, I really hope this franchise doesn't get cancelled.I understand the frustration of some players with the new interface and the new bugs it brought with it, but I still think it has a lot of potential, much more than before.The essence of the game is still there; if you know how to play FM, you know how to play this one, it's not that different, in my opinion.The only thing it lacks is the quality of life improvements that previous FM's had after years of development. The only thing it lacks is the quality of life improvements that previous FMs had after years of development. Still, this game was a breath of fresh air for a franchise that stagnated year after year with minimal improvements.

democrite

Nov 8, 2025, 21:45 on dlcompare.es

I just don't understand why they didn't release the game next year. If it wasn't ready, they should have postponed it to avoid a chaotic release. I am very disappointed with the release of Football Manager 26. Despite the numerous problems, I am still hopeful that patches will arrive, as the game has some major improvements compared to previous releases (new graphics, more realistic interaction, etc.). My advice to those who are thinking of buying the game is to wait a little longer; otherwise, you might be disappointed.

Paltodrilo

Nov 8, 2025, 17:02 on dlcompare.es

Overall, is the game an improvement over FM24, one of the best of the trilogy to date? No, but the negative reaction it has received seems incredible to me, considering the improvements in certain areas. You have to look at the potential: more bug fixes, interface improvements and further polish could push the Football Manager saga to new heights.

Jinntxv

Nov 8, 2025, 15:23 on dlcompare.de

There is a sense that Football Manager 26 marks a real turning point after a year of silence. The decision to take a break and start again is a brave one, especially for such an established game series. It shows that Sports Interactive really wants to develop the game mechanics further instead of simply delivering an annual update. The improvements to AI, immersion and game design are particularly interesting. However, many features are still missing and there are numerous bugs. I hope the future support for the game will be of high quality

690cf92769fbb_mate796

Nov 7, 2025, 20:21 on dlcompare.es

I like the changes in the tactics makes it more realistic and allows to take better advantage of the virtues of the players, I would like to add a section for the personal life of the manager and another to create and edit the stadium and the sports city, soccer schools in other countries as in the old fifa manager game, if they could do that the experience would be much more fun.

azima159

Nov 7, 2025, 14:07 on dlcompare.fr

Quite satisfied with this opus, despite a few bugs (which will be corrected in future patches). The new interface is more complex than previous versions, but once you get used to it, you'll find your way around. I understand the negative opinions, as many things have been removed (bench instructions, coaching an international team...). We'll see if the studio reintegrates them in future updates. For me, taking the risk of making profound changes to a license that was no longer improving is still the best choice.