A hard-hitting review of Football Manager 26 – what works, what doesn’t and where it falls short
Right, so I’ve just dived into FM26. After waiting out the cancellation of the previous instalment and braced for a big reboot by Sports Interactive, I wanted to believe this was the one. But, as you and I both know, management sims bring expectations like a striker’s hungry in stoppage time. So let’s walk through the strengths, the flaws and the outright awkward bits – and see whether FM26 delivers or disappoints.
The Good
1. Match engine & tactical depth
One of the most consistent pieces of praise: the new match engine feels more alive. As reviewers put it, animations and movement are more “lifelike” than ever. From my save: setting up a possession-based 4-3-3 (yes, I went there) and seeing that midfield press work like I imagined – satisfying.
2. Visual/technical jump
The move to the Unity engine (for this series) and the graphical work behind FM26 certainly get nods. Player first touches, ball physics, the look of slick kits, etc. For someone who just wants to feel like they’re managing in a real stadium, that’s a win.
3. Ambition + new foundation
Let’s give credit: SI wanted more than a patch year. They skipped the straight FM25 release, bit the bullet, and aimed to build something for “the next 20 years”. Provided you’re playing for the long haul, that promises growth.
The Bad
1. Interface & usability problems
Here’s where the story darkens. Many long-time users complain the UI is confusing, overly complicated, and less intuitive than previous entries. For someone used to breezing through staff screens and tactical loads, this becomes a drag. One forum user put it bluntly:
> “Simple choices in FM26 make me miss FM24.”
So yeah, you’ll need to relearn habits.
2. Missing features & QoL gaps
Many fans point out: features that were present in previous versions have been removed or delayed. Also, quality-of-life bits (which you hardly notice until they’re gone) seem thin. If you’re a veteran expecting everything plus more, you might feel short-changed now.
3. Bugs, rough launch, rough reception
Steam reviews are brutal. Launch day, FM26 hit “Mostly Negative” with serious reports of crashes, optimisation problems, missing content. That dampens the fun. If you’re starting a big save, you’ll hope for patches soon.
The Ugly
1. The gap between ambition and execution
In some ways, FM26 sells itself as a new era – but when you boot it up, the cracks show. The match engine is excellent, but the packaging around it feels half-baked. One review summary: “A brilliant game trapped in a clunky shell.” Between the UI frustrations and missing features your experience might be inconsistent.
2. Veteran frustration
If you’ve spent hundreds or thousands of hours in FM titles: frustration may hit hard. One longtime fan:
> “This game is clearly not what most long-term… players appreciate—they feel like unpaid testers for the ‘console generation’.”
That’s harsh, but accurate from that viewpoint.
3. The honeymoon period may end quick
As shiny as the engine is, as tempting as signing wonderkids or building your dream club may feel, the lack of polish might mean you hit walls later. The initial excitement may fade when you realise you’re wrestling with menus instead of focusing on football.
My Verdict (to you, the reader)
If I were you, here’s how I’d frame it: FM26 is worth buying if you’re ready for the next chapter of the franchise and are patient. You’ll get the tactical rewards, and the core management thrill is there. But if you expect seamless experience, all features in, and no hiccups – you’ll likely feel let down.
If I were running a club in FM26: I’d pick an underdog, play with a budget-smart tactic, enjoy the new match engine, but be ready to adapt to weird menu jank and unexpected omissions.
One Extra Thought (Non-Football)
By the way, if you dabble in synergy between sports and other sectors (yes, yes I know this is slightly off-topic), you’ll find interesting overlap. For example: exploring monetisation or engagement models in sports titles sometimes crosses into sports betting. For context and inspiration, you might want to peek at how crypto and sports wagering space is evolving via this article: Crypto & Sports Betting Explained.
Final Words
So there you have it. FM26 is a bold step. It’s not perfect. It’s maybe not the best entry yet for many. But if you’re here for the long game, if you’re ready to enjoy one of the deepest football sims out there and accept the bumps along the way—it could still give you countless hours of joy.
Let me know if you’d like me to pull together a list of “Top 10 hidden gems wonderkids” in FM26 next – happy to dive in with you.
