Football Manager 26 Secures FIFA License: Real World Cup Kits, Graphics, and More Coming This Year

Football Manager 26 is breaking new ground, finally landing an official FIFA license for the first time in the series’ history. From this year, you’ll see every ounce of the World Cup’s authenticity baked into your Football Manager experience, official kits, broadcast graphics, and tournament branding, all present and correct.

The timing couldn’t be more perfect. Starting with Football Manager 26, a multi-year partnership with FIFA kicks off just as the World Cup heads to Canada, Mexico, and the US next June. For dedicated virtual managers, that means the game isn’t just bringing national rivalry back. It’s transforming International Management with a total overhaul, dropping before the tournament starts.

World Cup Authenticity, Fully Licensed

Here’s the headline: all 48 national teams in the FIFA World Cup 26 will feature official kits straight from the pitch. No more lookalikes or generic substitutes. That means you’ll be pacing your technical area in matches that look exactly like the real deal, right down to broadcast graphics and tournament identifiers you see on TV.

This FIFA partnership also sets the stage for other major tournaments. The FIFA Women’s World Cup and the FIFA Club World Cup both join the authenticity club, ensuring your management journey doesn’t just stop at the men’s global showcase.

And it’s not just for PC purists. The update lands across all editions, including both Console and Touch versions. So whether you’re docking in for a long-haul save or quick-managing on the go, the full licensed experience is heading your way when the World Cup kicks off this June.

Revamped International Management: Deeper, Richer, More Real

Sports Interactive isn’t phoning it in here. Studio director Miles Jacobson called the deal “historic”, stressing how crucial it was “heading into a World Cup year” to completely reimagine the International Management module. This year’s update isn’t just a coat of paint; it’s a core upgrade. Jacobson says the new license lets the team “give us the tournament broadcast graphics and tournament kits in-game”, the missing piece for players hungry for more realism.

He added, “To be able to do that with the support of FIFA with an official licence, giving us the tournament broadcast graphics and tournament kits in-game, is a real honour and something we’re delighted our fans will be able to experience next year.” He’s not shy about the road ahead either: “And this is just the start of our relationship, stay tuned for more to come in 2026 and beyond.”

It’s a serious statement of intent. And for World Cup die-hards, it’ll be the deepest international mode the series has ever produced. There’s another first packed into this year’s release list: Football Manager 26 adds the women’s game. It’s a long-requested feature and a clear sign the game wants to reflect every arena of elite football. The FIFA license means both men’s and women’s international tournaments get full treatment.

Football Manager 26 drops worldwide on 4th November. For veteran players, there’s another big change under the hood: for the first time ever, the game’s running on the Unity Engine. That leap brings new opportunities, and some growing pains. According to hands-on impressions, you might find the transition takes a bit of getting used to.

This year, you’re not just building squads or outwitting your rivals. You’re stepping into the most authentic, globally connected Football Manager ever shipped. With the FIFA partnership in play, the series isn’t just keeping up with the real world of football; it’s finally letting you manage it as the world sees it.

The Future of Football Manager is Officially Global

The FIFA licensing deal isn’t a one-off stunt. According to Sports Interactive, this is “just the start.” Expect deeper integration and more real-world features in 2026 and beyond. For now, whether you’re chasing World Cup glory with a footballing superpower or plotting a Cinderella story with a small nation, FM26 is the closest the game’s ever come to mirroring the greatest show on earth.