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Sports Interactive has released Football Manager 26 Update 26.2, delivering a major database refresh alongside several gameplay improvements and technical fixes. The update includes transfers from the January transfer window, attribute adjustments for thousands of players and staff, and millions of changes to the game’s internal database.
Alongside the data updates, the patch introduces improvements to the user interface and tactical tools. Players on PC can now access a redesigned full-screen fixtures page and modify player roles directly from the Tactics Visualiser, while additional stability fixes and gameplay adjustments have also been implemented.
Patch Notes
Database Updates
- More than five million database changes since the initial release of Football Manager 26
- Updated licensed headshots for players and staff
Technical Fixes
- Implemented various crash and stability fixes
- Fixed a soft lock that could occur when progressing to a penalty shootout in certain competitions
- Improved user interface responsiveness in online lobbies with large numbers of users
User Interface
- Redesigned Fixtures and Results page to display in full screen
- Added a preference allowing the Fixtures and Results screens to automatically appear before and after matches in competitions the user participates in
- Players can now change Player Instructions and Roles directly from the Tactics Visualiser
- Tactics Visualiser can now be accessed from the Team Shape tab within the In Possession and Out of Possession tabs
- Fixed an issue where opposition formation visuals could inaccurately display after the AI changed formation during a match
- Added Club Profile and Best XI tabs to the club Welcome Pack
- Tactics Quick Pick will no longer include players outside the First Team unless a filter is applied
- Fixed an issue where injury indicators remained after clearing the position
- Hide Players option no longer filters out empty slots
- Fixed tactic names overlapping with familiarity values when the name was too long
- Opposition Instructions screen now defaults to Predicted Lineup instead of All Positions
- Squad Registration screen now sorts players by position by default
- Personality column on the Squad page can now be sorted
- Players can now be sorted by squad number on the Squad Numbers screen
- Fixed an issue allowing spoken languages to be duplicated during manager creation
- Fixed low resolution hierarchy induction pyramid graphic
- Adjusted text size in the Last Club column on the Squad screen
Gameplay Fixes
- Increased prominence of AI manager sackings in the News screen
- Players will no longer react illogically when transfers are cancelled due to work permit issues
- Fixed an issue preventing the Director of Football from signing players who were recently on trial
- Fixed news items incorrectly displaying a capital S after player names
- Fixed a rare issue where some lower league players in England incorrectly considered contract options at the end of their deals
- Fixed a rare issue where match highlights could show the wrong match
Art and Animation
- Implemented Dynamic Aging for Newgen portraits
- Fixed distorted player models appearing at the start of matches
- Fixed rare weather bug causing snow during matches in Saudi Arabia
- Player under armour now consistently matches the color of their kit shorts
- Under pitch heating now functions correctly on Low and Very Low graphics settings
- Reduced pitch brightness during night matches
- Improvements made to manager hairstyles
In Game Editor and Pre Game Editor
- Implemented various crash and stability fixes
- Added Kit Editor tile to the Club Edit card in the In Game Editor
- Flamboyancy and Goalkeeping attributes for non players can now be edited in the Pre Game Editor
- Non Playing History staff roles no longer appear as player roles in staff history and biography
- Fixed functionality of the duplicate button in the Pre Game Editor
- Fixed issue where data edits from edit files did not affect database information during manager creation
Competition and Rule Updates
- Updated formats, schedules, rules, and regulations across numerous domestic and international competitions
- Adjusted rules, match schedules, and squad registration systems across leagues in Africa, Europe, Asia, and the Americas
- Added or expanded VAR usage in several competitions including Serie B, Serie C, Romanian Cup, Singapore Premier League, and Indonesian Super League
- Updated prize money, substitution rules, transfer windows, and competition structures across many national leagues
- Adjusted club eligibility, points deductions, and disciplinary rules for specific competitions
- Updated host nations and scheduling for various international tournaments including future UEFA competitions and youth tournaments
- Updated dates and venues for continental competitions including Copa Libertadores, Copa Sudamericana, and the European South American Super Cup
- Updated World Cup kickoff times and seeding pairing formats
- Updated hosts for World Cup playoff tournaments
Football Manager 26 launched on November 4, 2025. The entry marked the series transition to the Unity engine and introduced a modern interface alongside volumetric match animations. The game is available on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S, while FM26 Mobile is available through Netflix and FM26 Touch launched on Nintendo Switch.
Have you noticed these changes? Share your thoughts in the comments!
