Five must have features for Football Manager 2026 to make the wait worthwhile

Top features & high expectations

Many fans were left disappointed after the cancellation of Football Manager 2025 and because of that, there is a very high expectation from Football Manager 2026.

This two-year gap has made the expectations skyrocket among the fans and Sports Interactive (SI) has an opportunity to deliver one of the best management football games of all time.

Here are five features that might be a pretty good addition to the upcoming game.

AI has predicted what Football Manager 2026 is going to look like… 🥴 pic.twitter.com/iqKqvYUk5G

— Out of Context Football Manager (@nocontextfm1) April 12, 2025

5. Fix the AI transfer market

It won’t be wrong to say that it is very frustrating to see a £40M starlet fetching a £3M offer with a hair transplant clause.

The new FM26 surely needs a better and more smarter AI that will think more about logic, factoring in goals, demand, and context.

More respectful transfers are needed in Football Manager 2026, which will value the correct worth of the player.

4. New dynamic & evolving world in FM26

After 17 seasons in the game, stagnant leagues and format just kill the immersion. Football Manager 2026 should introduce TV deals, league restructures (like Italian playoffs), post-Brexit work permit changes, and UEFA format tweaks.

Having more mergers or league splits could shake up and create more chaos, which might be fun in the long run.

Also Read: Latest EA FC 26 leaks reveals major changes & rumored features

🚨 Finally, FM26 news!SEGA is hiring QA testers for Football Manager 2026 – the first real sign that development is alive and kicking. pic.twitter.com/LaQ0fpOBsc

— FM Blog – Football Manager Community (@fmbIog) June 4, 2025

3. Fan-Created Challenges

The FM community already creates fantastic save ideas and challenges on Reddit and Twitter; why not introduce them in-game?

A Challenge Hub might include community scenarios, leaderboards, badges, and Steam sharing, building on FM Mobile’s base.

Even a “Director of Football Mode” (in which you can’t control transfers) may inspire new ideas, giving players bragging rights and limitless possibilities.

2. Revamp Touchline shouts for real impact

Touchlines, yells as “Encourage” or “Berate” are generally ineffective and the developers are thinking about abandoning them in Football Manager 2026.

Instead, let us enhance them! Make “Encourage” increase risk-taking for 5 minutes, “Berate” cause aggressive pressing, and “Calm Down” reduce tempo.

This transforms shouts into tactical tools—coaching with a purpose—while maintaining gaming balance.

1. Your Club’s unique identity

Players Football Manager heritage is defined by trophies and achievements, but with Football Manager 2026, there should be something refreshing.

Consider how titles like “High-Pressing Side,” “Possession-Focused,” or “Buys Young, Sells High” evolve over time, with media stating,

“Under X, Leeds mastered gritty comebacks and data-driven scouting.” Inspired by Pep Guardiola’s tactical revolution, this feature would create a narrative that goes beyond silverware, making long-term saves genuinely engrossing.

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