EA released its first FC 26 gameplay deep dive and trailer on July 22, offering a close look at the overhauled mechanics ahead of the game’s September 26, 2025 launch. The trailer, which runs just over three minutes, wastes no time with glossy cinematics or extended hype reels. Aside from a quick cameo from Zlatan Ibrahimović to slot home a penalty, the focus is squarely on gameplay. We are shown quick passing chains, tight dribbling maneuvers, defensive reads, and clean strikes on goal. It delivers a pitch that feels like a direct response to player frustration over previous years’ over-produced reveals and underwhelming follow-through. EA seems to know the criticism, and this trailer looks like an attempt to address it head-on.

What stands out even more is how the accompanying deep dive leans heavily on community feedback. EA says that player input directly shaped key changes to ball control, dribbling responsiveness, AI defensive positioning, and physical collisions. These are not small tweaks—they aim at core gameplay complaints that have followed the franchise for years. While some longtime fans remain cautious, the acknowledgment alone is gaining traction with players who have grown used to feeling unheard.

The breakdown also introduces one of FC 26’s most notable new features: dual gameplay styles. Players can now toggle between the two core presets of Competitive and Authentic. Competitive mode is tuned for fast-paced play and is the default for online modes like Ultimate Team, Clubs, and Seasons. It emphasizes quicker passing, tighter turning radius, and fixed camera settings optimized for clarity and pace. Authentic, on the other hand, is designed for single-player realism. Expect slower build-up, looser ball physics, more varied animations, and a more natural AI approach, particularly in modes like Career and Player Career. This change signals a push toward letting players tailor their experience to the way they want to play. Although sliders have been around for almost as long as the franchise has, this does seem a more intentional way to adjust to how players prefer to play.

The trailer and deep dive might not rewrite the formula, but it does address that the formula had become stale. By showcasing actual gameplay and committing to widely requested features, EA is positioning FC 26 as a cleaner, more focused football sim. Whether it holds up through release remains to be seen, but the early signs suggest that EA is, at the very least, listening.