New World Cup Update for EA Sports FC 26
EA Sports has officially announced a new ‘World Cup’ update set to arrive with FC 26. This update marks a significant shift in how the game will approach international football events, as it will not feature any official FIFA licensing.
In May 2022, EA and FIFA confirmed their split, which meant that the last FIFA title, FIFA 23, released in September of that year, was the final game to include official World Cup content from the 2022 tournament in Qatar. However, EA Sports FC 26 will not have any official 2026 FIFA World Cup content. Instead, the game will introduce its own version of World Cup-style content called ‘The World’s Game Update’.
This update will bring a new 48-team international tournament mode starting on 4 June. While it won’t be called the World Cup, it will closely mimic the structure of the real event. There will be 53 fully licensed and playable national teams, including 41 of the 48 competing in the actual FIFA World Cup. The tournament will also be available in Career mode, following the same structure and rules, with live starting points just before and during the tournament.
International Action in Ultimate Team
The update also brings international action to Ultimate Team. Players can look forward to an Event Hub, Festival of Football themed campaigns, and more. Those who log in between 5 June and 24 July will be able to claim a 93-rated Pele and three ‘Choose Your Journey’ Evolutions.
Some of the venues hosting FIFA World Cup matches will be included in the game. The tournament will play out in the exact same way as the expanded 2026 FIFA World Cup, featuring 12 groups of four and five knockout rounds, starting with a round of 32 and ending with the final.
In Ultimate Team, there will be evolutions changes, new Festival of Football tokens, a dedicated Event Hub, weekly Festival of Football themed campaigns, player items, and more.
Tokens and Rewards
Tokens are a brand new reward type that will become the primary way to earn rewards in Ultimate Team. These tokens will have a dedicated store where players can access players, packs, evolutions, and club customisation content.
Players can earn up to 1,000 tokens each week, with a total of 5,000 available. There will also be FUT Champions tokens and a FUT Champions store featuring a range of rewards, including a rotating selection of special Red FUT Champions player items each week.
New Features and Challenges
Journey of Nations introduces an Event Hub for the Festival of Football Season, where each week, players will need to assemble international-themed squads from across five continents. There are more than 250 challenges to complete to earn Club rewards.
More than 100 new international players will be added into Ultimate Team, along with two brand new ICONS: Rivellino and Mario Kempes. A new limited-time Penalty Shootout mode will also be included.
Tweaks to Clubs and general gameplay will also be made, ensuring a fresh experience for players.
What’s Next for EA Sports FC 26?
While the new update adds a lot of exciting features, some critics argue that EA Sports FC 26 still needs more improvements to feel truly innovative. Despite this, the game has key elements that make it feel fresh, and fans are eager to see what else is in store.
For those interested in staying updated, there are several ways to follow the latest news and updates about the game. Whether through social media, newsletters, or other platforms, there are plenty of options to keep track of all the developments.
