The whistle is about to blow on a new season of virtual football, and the next generation is officially taking over the cover of EA SPORTS FC 26.
EA SPORTS has revealed that generational talents Jude Bellingham and Jamal Musiala will be the cover athletes for EA SPORTS FC 26.
The next chapter in the global football phenomenon is set for a worldwide launch on September 26th, 2025, with early access for the Ultimate Edition beginning on September 19th, 2025. And we all know that you’ll be grabbing that Ultimate Edition. You obviously did just that for EA SPORTS FC 25 last time out…
A New Generation Takes the Cover
Revealed with a brand-new gameplay trailer, FC 26 is being touted as the franchise’s most community-driven title yet, with a host of new features and innovations powered directly by player feedback.
But it’s also a year for EA SPORTS to go celebrating the brightest young stars in world football, alongside a true icon of the game.
The Dynamic Duo: Bellingham & Musiala
Real Madrid’s Jude Bellingham returns to the cover for a second year, but this time he is joined by his former youth teammate and FC Bayern Munich star, Jamal Musiala. Their shared cover is a reflection of their incredible journey from youth football to the pinnacle of the sport.
“It’s really nice to share this moment with Jamal, as a reflection of how far we’ve come. I remember our times rooming together in the England Youth team, we’d play the game all the time,” said Real Madrid midfielder Jude Bellingham. “Where I’m from, everyone knows the game, everyone plays it and talks about it so much. I’m grateful to be given the opportunity to be on the cover again.”
“When I found out I’d be on the cover of FC, it was such a crazy feeling. I thought, how could I tell my little brother? He’s a big fan of the game, so this will be a nice surprise for him,” said Bayern Munich star Jamal Musiala. “It’s something I always wanted growing up and it’s such a big part of football culture. Who knows, maybe I can still beat Jude at FC.”
The ICON: Zlatan Ibrahimović
The two young stars join the previously announced cover athlete for the EA SPORTS FC 26 Ultimate Edition, the one and only Zlatan Ibrahimović, who represents the legendary, iconic status that Bellingham and Musiala are striving for.
Shaped by the Community: What’s New on the Pitch?
EA FC 26 promises a host of game-wide innovations and an overhauled gameplay experience, all driven by feedback from the FC Community.
Expect a variety of changes to the core gameplay, including improved dribbling responsiveness, re-tuned run curves for more explosive movement, and all-new goalkeeper positioning driven by reinforcement learning.
A new Competitive Gameplay preset is tailor-made for Ultimate Team and Clubs, while the Authentic Gameplay preset aims to deliver the most true-to-football experience ever in Career Mode.
Manager Career mode gets a new dimension too, this time with Manager Live, a hub that will feature ever-changing, variable-length challenges and scenarios based on the real world of football.
And then, in Clubs and Player Career, a brand-new Archetypes feature will allow for more individuality, letting you develop your player’s abilities and unlock perks to give them a distinct feel on the pitch.
FUT and Unrivalled Authenticity
Football Ultimate Team will see the introduction of new Live Events and Tournament modes, alongside a refreshed Rivals and Champs experience.
All of this is backed by the game’s unrivalled authenticity, featuring over 20,000 athletes, 750+ clubs, and 35+ leagues.
A Word from the Sidelines
“FC 26 reflects our ongoing commitment to building this game with and for our community,” said John Shepherd, VP & GM, EA SPORTS FC. “We are players too, and that shared passion drives everything we do. This year brings an overhauled gameplay experience, new Tournaments and Live Events in FUT, all-new Archetype customization in Clubs, and a Career Mode that comes alive through evolving Challenges. We can’t wait for players to feel the difference this September and help shape the future of FC.”
To further this community-first approach, EA SPORTS has also launched FC Feedback, a new initiative that empowers players to contribute directly to the evolution of the game through various channels like a feedback portal, design councils, and Discord servers.
The new season is on the horizon, led by two of the brightest young stars in world football. With a renewed focus on community feedback and a host of gameplay innovations, EA SPORTS FC 26 is lacing up its boots for what promises to be another landmark year.
The club is yours this September. Again.
EA SPORTS FC 26, which will launch on PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PC, Amazon Luna, Nintendo Switch, and Nintendo Switch 2.
