10 pro tips to raise your gameplay in EA FC 26
Want to get ahead in FC 26? With these 10 key tips from a professional coach, you'll quickly up your game in this year's version of EA Sports' all-conquering football sim.
New season, new tips: EA FC 26 is here. In the new version of the enduringly popular football game from EA Sports, there are, as ever, new features that change the gameplay and gaming experience. To make it as easy as possible for you to get started with the new game, we've put together 10 helpful pro tips for this year's title.
01
Competitive vs Authentic gameplay
Among the announcements of new features, the FC 26 news on the two different types of gameplay was particularly exciting: for the first time, there are two clearly separate gameplay variants in FC 26 - Competitive and Authentic.
FC 26 online gameplay: Competitive
Competitive gameplay is designed for fast reactions and maximum control - ideal for online modes such as Ultimate Team or Clubs. The focus is on responsiveness. Fast players feel more explosive and every action is geared towards competitive play.
FC 26 offline gameplay: Authentic
Authentic gameplay offers a more realistic pace of play and closer to real football - perfect for career mode and other offline matches. In other words, it's significantly slower and less dynamic.
Tip: You can also use Competitive Gameplay in offline modes if you find Authentic Gameplay too slow - or simply don't like it overall. This allows you to enjoy fast and dynamic gameplay in all FC 26 game modes.
02
How to concede less in defense
RB Leipzig keeper Peter Gulacsi celebrates a save in FC 26
© EA Sports
Although a lot is new in FC 26, many basics remain the same and you don't have to relearn everything. This also applies to the defense. The old adage holds true: attack wins games, defense wins championships. A solid defense is the basis for your long-term success in FC 26, which is why we have six tips for you to help you concede fewer goals.
FC 26 defence: Six basics
1. Duel timing is key
The timing of tackles is very important. If you tackle at the right moment, the ball won't bounce straight back to your opponent. The "ping pong" from earlier FIFA years is no longer so extreme, but you can't expect a player with an overall rating of 60 and a tackling value of 40 to win every duel - just because you're in the right position. The higher your tackling rating, the greater your chance of success in the tackle.
2. It's all about the right pressing
With targeted pressing, it's possible to force your opponents to lose the ball. Use the R1 or RB button to build up constant pressure on the player with the ball with another player. The more aggressively you do this, the more you confuse the attacker. But be careful: by pressing the R1 or RB button aggressively, you also open up your defensive line for other strikers. Weigh up how often you want to press R1 or RB. You can see which additional player you are using to build up pressure by the grey symbol above this player. This is also the player that'll be selected when you switch players (right stick or L1 or LB).
3. Don't pull your center-backs out of the defensive line
This is one of the biggest mistakes you can make! It creates large gaps that your opponent can exploit to play dangerous through passes.
4. Track back with midfielders
In order to leave the centre-backs in the defensive line, but still be able to defend further forward, run back with one of your midfielders. This way, you can also generate an overload in defense and have another player with whom you can block your opponents' attacks. This makes it harder to find gaps in your defense.
5. Use the L2/LT defence
If you haven't pressed L2 or LT when an attacker is coming towards you, you won't have access in duels and you'll let your opponents pass too often. With L2 or LT, you stand better, move in a smaller radius and can optimize your defense by moving faster in a small space. Sprinting is no longer overridden with L2/LT presses. That used to be the case. If you press L2/LT and R2/RT at the same time, you move faster and still only have your eyes on the player with the ball.
You can also defend superbly at high speed with L2/LT. However, there are situations in which you should temporarily dispense with L2/LT. For example: when in a sprint duel on the touchline and you need to use your maximum speed to prevent your opponent from running away. To keep up with him in terms of speed, you only press the R2/RT button. As soon as you no longer need this much speed and it's time for a duel, don't forget to press L2/LT again in addition to R2/RT.
6. Manual defending is more important than ever
Many players like to leave defending to the CPU players because they have problems with it themselves and because the CPU players have largely behaved intelligently in recent years. This intelligence has now been significantly weakened. Never rely solely on the CPU defense, but defend more manually! The CPU players don't do much in FC 26, so you have to defend more actively than ever. Only if you have top players in defense can the CPU defense be helpful. Especially in high-level games, you will fare better with optimal manual defending than with a primarily CPU-controlled defense. Practice manual defending with our tips above and defend yourself.
03
Perfect your build-up play
Fluid build-up play is only possible if you keep calm - even if your opponent puts you under pressure. If you rush it, you run the risk of playing misplaced passes, running into counter-attacks and conceding unnecessary goals. Good ball control and controlled passing are key in the build-up.
Good ball control
You need one thing in particular for this: calmness. Don't get nervous when an opponent approaches. Have confidence in your abilities, stay calm and avoid rushing. Your dribbling skills are also crucial. If you can master dribbling, you'll be better able to withstand your opponent's pressing. This is because you can keep the ball close to your feet in tight spaces and keep your opponent away from the ball.
Controlled passing
The same applies here: stay calm and patient. If you press the X or A button too frantically, you'll play an inaccurate pass or a direct miss. Remember: when you play a pass, the direction of the pass should also be the player's line of sight. If you look forwards with your player and pass to the left or right, the ball may not reach the intended team-mate. It's therefore best to only play a pass when you're looking at your team-mate. Just like in real life: players don't have eyes on the right, left or back of their heads!
The professional foul
The professional foul has been around since FC 25. This is a tactical foul with which you stop a promising attack by your opponent. You'll always receive a yellow card for a professional foul. However, for obvious reasons, use these sparingly.
Application: R1+X (PlayStation) / RB+A (Xbox)
04
How to attack like a pro
The RB Leipzig dressing room in FC 26
© EA Sports
There are many different ways to score goals. You can play through the centre and down the flanks or try long-range shots. The key here is to choose a mix of all these options. If you always choose the same move, you'll be too easy to predict and won't be successful in the long term. Variability and creativity are particularly important in attack.
FC 26 attack: ways to score goals
Attack through the centre
Here you have to make a lot of quick decisions in confined spaces. A quick passing game, dribbling and skill moves are important. In order to create scoring opportunities, the pass into the centre must come at the right moment. Incisive vertical passes can be particularly effective at the right moment - especially with top players such as the two FC 26 cover stars Jude Bellingham and Jamal Musiala. Another reason for this is that the players in FC 26 make their runs more intelligently.
Attack via the wings
You often have more space here than when you play through the centre. However, you're also further away from the opponent's goal and have to decide at some point how you want to get the ball back into the centre. There are several options for this. Either you choose the simplest solution and hit a high cross into the centre from the outside. However, with high crosses you often have to cover a long distance and therefore the accuracy sometimes leaves a lot to be desired. If one of your players is not completely free in the penalty area, you should think twice about whether you want to deliver the ball with a cross or keep it under control.
Another option is to move back into the centre from the outside - either with quick, targeted short passes and powerful passes into the penalty area (X/A + R1/RB) or a skillful solo run - also with the use of skill moves. Your opponent often won't expect this and the defense may be disorganized. Moving from the inside to the outside and then from the outside to the inside again can be effective.
A brief additional note on high crosses: crossing is more rewarding than in previous FC games. If you have players with strong headers up front, you can definitely use high crosses - even from corners. Manual headers also allow you to take complete control and decide exactly where you want to head the ball. This applies to scoring chances and passes with your head.
Shoot more from distance
Don't always try to carry the ball into the goal. Shots from outside the penalty area are more effective than you might think. As goalkeepers have improved, it's more difficult to score from inside the penalty area anyway. Don't just shoot from everywhere, though. If you're shooting from distance, you need the right player in the right spot. If you have enough space and the ball is on your strong foot, go ahead and take the shot!
Tip: Finesse shots to the far corner are a particularly good way to score. By regularly mixing in long-range shots, you'll become even more variable when scoring and create moments of surprise. This will make it difficult for your opponent to predict what you're planning in your attacking play.
05
Control your passes with these tips
RB Leipzig in a celebratory mood
© EA Sports
People often neglect to play controlled passes. Instead, players frantically press the X/A button to get forwards as quickly as possible. This may have worked in FIFA in the past, but that's no longer the case. You have to think about every pass. Inaccuracy leads to bad passes.
5 tips for an accurate pass
- Look at your centre of attack and don't stand to the side or with your back to them
- Don't stand too far away from the passing position
- Make sure that there's no opponent in the path of the pass
- Play controlled balls - if possible receiving and controlling the ball first
- Only press the X/A button for as long as the pass path requires (for a very short pass, for example, it is sufficient if you only tap the pass button briefly)
06
Why are crossfield balls so effective?
An effective means of bridging spaces and creating dangerous situations in FC 26 are switches of play, or crossfield balls. Unlike a few years ago, they're hit with more speed - the balls no longer fly through the air for so long and reach your team-mates more quickly.
Above all, a good overview is crucial. Are you being put under pressure and see a player standing free on the other side of the pitch? Then don't hesitate and pass the ball over in a high arc! It's also a good idea to keep an eye on the radar - here you can see exactly where there are open spaces on the pitch.
07
How to dribble your way to success
Dribbling is essential if you want to assert yourself in attack. Here we explain what's important when dribbling in FC 26:
- Left-stick dribbling
The classic left-stick dribble has felt less controlled and more challenging since FC 25, because dribbling has generally become a little slower. Opposing defenders move back to their starting position more quickly after being caught on the wrong foot, for example. Plus, natural shielding no longer works as well and your opponents can take the ball from you more easily.
- First touch
The first touch is therefore more important than ever when dribbling. Do you opt for a direct sprint? Do you have enough space to do so? Or will a sprint dribble lead to the ball being lost quickly? You need to dribble more effectively in FC 26 and think more carefully about your decisions.
- Shielding
The weakening of shielding means that you should keep more distance from your opponents when dribbling. Watch them closely and react quickly to their movements, and you'll make the right decisions when dribbling and avoid losing the ball.
08
Why you need to use skill moves
Bulli in the house! The RB Leipzig mascot at the Red Bull Arena
© EA Sports
When it comes to using skill moves, many players quickly become nervous. Too complicated, too fiddly and above all too time-consuming to learn. None of this is true, however. There are many moves that aren't complicated at all and can be learned quickly. Best of all, they're effective and improve your game.
First, let's introduce you to some basic skill moves that have been around for a while and still work well in FC 26. We will then bring in the new skill moves in FC 26.
FC 26 skill moves: three basic special moves for your game
The harder, the better? No! These three simple skill moves can make all the difference.
Drag back - two-star skill move
Fake shot - one-star skill move
Ball roll - two-star skill move
Tip: In FC 26, it's more important than ever to use your skill moves in a targeted manner and with the right timing. If your timing is off, it's easier for your opponents to separate you from the ball. This means that it takes more skill and ability to get past your opponents with special moves. It's no good just using skill moves anyhow. The timing has to be perfect for the desired effect.
New skill moves in FC 26
Five new skill moves have been added to FC 26:
- New Trickster Rainbow (one star)
- Explosive Stepover (three stars)
- Drag To Chop (four stars)
- Advanced Heel Flick (four stars)
- Elastico Variation (five stars)
09
How you can learn from the pros
RBLZ_Tekkz is starting a new chapter
© RBLZ Gaming
There are many esports pros who create instructional videos and aim to give you help on their channels. If you still haven't had enough after our pro tips and the many other FC 26 tips and want to learn more, then visit the YouTube, Twitch and TikTok channels of the pros from RBLZ Gaming - the FC 26 team from RB Leipzig and multiple world champions. Umut Gültekin, team newcomer Donovan Hunt and other players regularly offer you exciting content on FC 26 - especially on Ultimate Team.
Tip: Don't just watch tutorials. Take the time to watch complete games from the RBLZ Gaming pros on YouTube or Twitch. Follow the live stream of professional tournaments and try to analyze for yourself and find out what makes the pros so strong. You should be able to pick up the right defensive and offensive behavior, moves, standard variations, goal finishes and much more and integrate what you've learned into your own game.
10
Improve your mindset
Mastering gameplay isn't everything in FC 26. You also need to be mentally sharp. Be honest - you'll recognize this scenario: you're dominating the game, but the ball just won't go in at the top end of the pitch, and then you concede an unfortunate goal. You freak out, leave the game and/or destroy your controller. Emotions are just as much a part of FC 26 as they are in real football and freaking out won't get you any further. If you lose your nerve, you'll also lose the game.
Tip: If you're behind and nothing seems to be working, keep calm. Keep your concentration high and stay mentally strong. FC 26 is also a mental game! If you start to get upset about match situations, your players or FC 26 in general, you're immediately on the losing track. You get into your head and start criticizing every little thing. As a result, you undermine your own game and can't summon up what you're actually capable of. Only those who are mentally strong throughout and stay focused for the entire game have what it takes to become the FC 26 champion.
About the author
Chris Knoth is a former professional eFootball player. He was a German national player, became European champion and competed against the best players in the world at national and international championships. He's now been a coach for many years and has also coached esports players in the Virtual Bundesliga - the official German championship in EA FC 26.