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Football Manager 26 Opens Early Access on PC with FIFA World Cup 2026
October 25, 2025Football Manager 26 isn’t officially out yet, but that’s not stopping eager fans from hitting the pitch early. Sports Interactive has opened up early access to PC players who pre-order, letting them dive into all the new features before anyone else. If you’ve ever wanted first dibs on the revamped managerial suite, now’s your chance.
PC users can get in today by pre-ordering the game for £44.99 / €53.99 / $53.99. Whether you’re loyal to Steam, Epic Game Store, or the Windows Store, the gates are wide open. Everyone else, including Xbox, console, and mobile players, will have to wait until November 4th to join the action.
The team at Sports Interactive held back the beta by a few hours for extra polish, running final checks to keep things smooth for early adopters. Now, the early access build is live, letting players start either a single-player or online career mode. No progress is wasted; whatever you start now rolls over seamlessly into the full game come November.
What’s New in Football Manager 26?
This year, the series gets its sharpest update in years. The biggest headline: a redesigned interface and UI, making it faster for managers to get what they need, when they need it. You’ll notice the difference right away, whether you’re drawing up new tactics or combing the transfer market for the next hidden gem.
One of the most talked-about changes is the introduction of fresh possession formations. No, not the supernatural kind, the tactical kind. Building play from the back now feels more intuitive, and customising your squad’s on-the-ball approach is front and centre.
FM26 also lets you manage women’s teams for the first time. It’s not a half-baked addition, either; the same depth and nuance you expect from the men’s game is here, giving managers whole new leagues and players to master.
The manager creator is another redesigned feature. Fans have more control than ever when putting together their in-game persona. Tweak every last detail, from look to backstory, and brace yourself: this digital version of you will still be blamed for every tactical misstep and transfer disaster.
Official FIFA Competitions Arrive
Earlier this month, Football Manager landed a multi-year licensing agreement with FIFA. That means, for the first time, huge international tournaments, including the FIFA World Cup 2026, set to take place in Canada, Mexico, and the USA, are officially in the game. Expect more authenticity, from tournament structure to branding, across all your career saves.
This partnership is a big deal. No more relying on mods or unofficial patches, these major tournaments are fully woven into the experience, raising the stakes for every aspiring national team manager.
One note for the frugal: the early access period comes with a 10% discount off the full price. If you’ve been on the fence, this is as good a deal as you’ll see anytime soon. The game will also hit PC Game Pass in November, alongside the Xbox launch, if you prefer to wait and play as part of your subscription.
Football Manager 26 still feels familiar, but the changes will force even long-time veterans to adapt. The new systems aren’t just cosmetic; they impact how you build winning teams and handle squad management. Anyone tired of hearing about the updates secondhand can experience them right now, with progress that won’t be lost when the full version arrives.
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