EA SPORTS FC 26 Title Update v1.4.0 introduces targeted gameplay tuning with a primary focus on AI Defending, aiming to create more open attacking play and smoother transitions during matches. Additional gameplay adjustments address responsiveness, physicality, and shooting consistency across multiple modes.
Beyond gameplay, the update delivers navigation improvements and bug fixes for Football Ultimate Team, meaningful refinements to Career Mode systems, visual and data corrections in Clubs, and technical stability improvements on PC. The changes are designed to reduce friction while preserving competitive balance.
Patch Notes
AI Defending
- Reduced AI defender reaction times when marking the ball carrier, increasing the likelihood of open space during transitions
- Improved attacking flow by decreasing immediate defensive pressure during AI action changes
- Ongoing monitoring of player feedback for potential future AI Defending adjustments
Gameplay
- Adjusted CPU AI behavior in Squad Battles to reduce passive possession and increase attacking intent
- Refined Acceleration Types height thresholds to better determine player run types
- Increased the number of players eligible for the Lengthy run type
- Set minimum Lengthy height to 185 cm for men’s players
- Set minimum Lengthy height to 165 cm for women’s players
- Retained existing Lengthy requirements
- Strength minimum 65
- Strength minus Agility of at least 4
- Acceleration minimum 40
- Enabled automatic goal line clearances for defenders in last-ditch situations to improve defensive reliability
- Increased stumble frequency during shoulder challenges when there is a large Strength Attribute difference
- Improved ball shielding effectiveness for players with higher Strength and Aggression Attributes
- Further reduced accuracy of acrobatic shots, including bicycle kicks, taken immediately after a flick
Football Ultimate Team
- Added a New Release hub to highlight current campaigns, SBCs, Objectives, and featured content
- Accessible via a new menu tab or the News tile
- Scheduled to go live through a server release a few weeks after Title Update 1.4.0
- Fixed an issue where a trophy could appear in the corner of a pitch
- Fixed an issue where previewing an Evolution consumable in an Item Pick could reset the highlighted selection
- Fixed UI flows that caused the radial menu to appear unintentionally
Career Mode
- Expanded Player Status Information with separate Contract and General fields
- Updated Player Career Archetype eligibility based on the selected Origin Story
- Replaced Starting Skill Level with Starting AP in Player Career
- Adjusted Manager Career Job Security logic when reaching Insecure status
- Extended contract durations up to three years for ICONs and Heroes
Clubs
- Fixed cases where incorrect Acceleration Types could be set by the user
- Fixed a visual issue where the Team Management screen displayed incorrect Acceleration Types
PC
- Fixed an issue where refresh rates could unintentionally switch to 60Hz
- Fixed specific framerate issues occurring during the second half of matches
EA SPORTS FC 26 is available on PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X and S, Xbox One, PC, Amazon Luna, and Nintendo Switch.
Have you noticed these changes? Share your thoughts in the comments!
