Youth Development Deserves a Bigger Role

FM has long made youth development a cornerstone of FC 26 Coins long-term success. In FC 25, youth development exists, but it’s shallow. There’s little distinction between one academy and another, and the progression system is too generic. Youth players are just stat packages, not promising talents with real potential and narrative.

For FC 26, EA should redesign the youth academy with detailed player growth charts, positional adaptability, and development feedback. Under-21 and reserve team fixtures should be included to track progress. Managers should have the ability to create a true development pipeline—from scouting a 16-year-old to watching them lift silverware as club captain.

Expand Staff Management Beyond Basics

Hiring coaches in FC 25 is a simple exercise with limited impact. By contrast, FM offers deep customization of your backroom staff, from analysts to sports scientists. In FC 26, hiring and developing a full staff should become a critical part of strategy.

Staff attributes, specializations, and even career progression would add realism and decision-making layers. Having a top-tier assistant could help during simulations, while expert physios might reduce injury frequency. Managing staff budgets and negotiating contracts could also mirror real-life club operations.

Set Pieces and Tactics Need a Serious Overhaul

Finally, FC 26 should give players full control over set-piece routines. Currently, tactical options are vague and underdeveloped. Players should be able to design custom plays for cheap EAFC 26 Coins corners, free kicks, and defensive organization. Borrowing FM’s model, managers should be able to dictate roles, movement paths, and reactions.