When the veteran management series Football Manager returns with its 2025 edition, you expect evolution — but what you get from Football Manager 26 is something more radical: a full-scale revamp built on the Unity engine, new match-day drama, fresh tactical tools and the long-awaited inclusion of licensed Premier League clubs and women’s football. Ambitious? Yes. Flawless? Unfortunately, not quite. With user reviews trending “Mostly Negative” on Steam, this is a release that promises much but delivers only part of the vision. Let’s dig into the good, the bad and whether you should dive in.
Football Manager 26 Review: A Bold Reboot That Stumbles
What Is Football Manager 2026?
Developed by Sports Interactive and published by SEGA, Football Manager 2026 marks a major structural shift for the series. The game embraces a fresh foundation, redesigned systems, and richer presentation, promising to give players more tactical control and immersion than ever before.
Highlight Features
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A full reboot using the Unity engine for improved animations, lighting and match-day presentation.
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Official Premier League licensing, including authentic branding, kits, and broadcast elements.
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Women’s football integration across multiple leagues, allowing players to manage both men’s and women’s teams.
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Upgraded tactical tools, including more granular in-possession and out-of-possession controls.
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Enhanced scouting, recruitment and transfers, including new negotiation systems.
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A redesigned UI that aims for better clarity, navigation and accessibility.
On paper, it’s the biggest step forward the franchise has taken in a decade.
What Football Manager 2026 Does Well
1. Meaningful Presentation Upgrades
The move to Unity brings noticeably better animations, more natural player movement, improved lighting, and an overall more immersive match-day experience. The game finally feels closer to televised football while retaining the signature FM tactical oversight.
2. Premier League Authenticity
The inclusion of official club branding instantly boosts immersion. For long-time fans, seeing their favorite Premier League teams represented accurately is a rewarding upgrade.
3. Women’s Football Done Right
The addition of women’s leagues is not a small side feature — it includes its own mechanics, progression systems, and unique attributes. Managers can finally explore a parallel competitive ecosystem.
4. Tactical Depth for Serious Managers
The engine overhaul introduces more detailed tactical freedom, allowing players to build highly specific systems. Custom roles, transitional behaviors, and shape adjustments make this one of the most tactically rich entries yet.
Where Football Manager 2026 Struggles
1. Technical Issues at Launch
With such a massive rebuild, performance issues are expected — but many players report bugs, inconsistent simulation behavior, and sluggish UI responsiveness. The new engine still needs optimization.
2. Learning Curve Feels Steeper
The expanded tactical complexity is wonderful for hardcore players, but casual fans may feel overwhelmed. Although the new UI helps, the depth may still intimidate newcomers.
3. Some Features Lack Polish
While ambitious, certain systems — such as match engine decision-making, scouting logic, and player morale — feel unrefined. The result is occasional immersion-breaking behavior.
4. Divisive Player Reception
The overhaul has sparked strong opinions. Many appreciate the ambition, but others feel the game released before reaching the expected level of polish. It’s a title that may improve significantly with patches.
Should You Play Football Manager 2026?
Yes, if:
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You’re a long-time FM player who enjoys deep tactical control.
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You want to experience the first true Premier League-licensed FM entry.
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You’re excited about managing women’s teams.
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You’re willing to navigate early-game rough edges.
Maybe wait, if:
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You prefer stable, fully polished gameplay at launch.
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You’re a newcomer who may find the systems overwhelming.
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Performance issues frustrate you easily.
Final Verdict
Football Manager 2026 is one of the most ambitious evolutions the franchise has ever attempted. Its new engine, expanded tactical systems, and inclusion of women’s football represent a bold new direction — one that sets the foundation for future greatness.
But the execution is uneven. Technical shortcomings, rough edges, and mixed player sentiment keep it from being the definitive masterpiece it hopes to be.
⭐ Final Score: 7.5/10
A promising but imperfect rebuild — great for enthusiasts, less ideal for casual players.
User Reviews
