Update log
Full Football Manager 26 update
The complete published notes, normalized for clean reading and source attribution.
Extracted changes
- Gameplay
- Events
- Performance
- UI and audio
- Fixes
- Store

FM26 Update (26.2) is now live across platforms.
This update contains transfers from the January Transfer Window, Current Ability, Potential Ability and Attribute changes for thousands of players and staff, as well as several game additions and upgrades.
For PC players, this update sees a change to make the Fixtures and Results card full-screen and introduces the ability to change player roles from the Tactics Visualiser.
These changes will apply to all existing save games. To experience the data and competition changes in this update, you will need to start a new career*.
The full changelist is available below, alongside platform-specific updates.
This update should take effect automatically but if you have any issues, please visit our dedicated FAQ.
The update is scheduled for release on March 10th for FM26 Mobile (Netflix). A larger update for FM26 Touch (Nintendo Switch) will follow later in the month, subject to the submissions process.
Rosters for certain licensed leagues whose seasons run to the calendar year will only be reflective up until the end of the 2025 season and will not include incoming and outgoing transfers made for 2026.
FM26 - 26.2 Changelist (non-exhaustive)
Database
Five million+ database changes since the initial release of FM26
Updated licenced headshots
Technical Issues
Various Crash and Stability fixes
Game no longer soft locks when attempting to progress to a penalty shootout in certain competitions
Improved the User Interface (UI) responsiveness in Online Lobbies with large number of users
User Interface (UI)
Redesigned fixtures & results page to be full screen

Added a preference for the Fixtures and Results screens to be automatically shown before and after matches in competitions the user is participating in

User is now able to change Player Instructions & Roles from the Tactics Visualiser

User is now able to view the Tactics Visualiser from the Team Shape tab from within the In and Out of Possession tabs
Fixed an issue causing the opposition formation visuals to inaccurately reflect the actual formations on the pitch after the AI makes a formation change during a match
Added Club Profile and Best XI tabs on the club Welcome Pack
- CosmeticTacticsQuick Pick will no longer include players who aren’t in First Team unless you have a filter selected
Tactics – Fixed an issue causing injury indicators to remain after clearing the position
Tactics – "Hide players" option no longer filters out empty slots
- CosmeticTacticsTactic name no longer overlaps with the overall Familiarity if the name of the tactic was too long
Opposition Instructions screen will now default to Predicted Lineup instead of All Positions
Player listed in the Squad Registration screen are now sorted by position by default
User can now sort the personality column on the Squad page
You are now able to sort players by Squad Number on the Squad Numbers screen
Resolved an issue where the user could duplicate the spoken languages selected during the Manager Creation process
Fixed an issue causing the hierarchy induction pyramid graphic to display in low resolution
The text displayed in the ‘last club’ column is no longer too large when on the Squad screen
Gameplay
Increased the prominence of AI manager sackings being shown on the News screen
Players should no longer illogically get upset with manager when a transfer was cancelled due to work permit issues
Fixed an issue preventing the Director of Football to sign players that were recently on trial with the club
Fixed an issue causing some News items to incorrectly display a capital “S” after the player's name
Fixed a rare issue where some players would illogically be considering options at the end of their contract when playing at the lower levels in England
Resolved a very rare issue where playing highlights from a past match would sometimes show the wrong match
Art & Animation
Implemented Dynamic Aging for Newgen Portraits
Fixed an issue causing distorted models to appear at the start of a match
Resolved a rare issue causing the weather to snow during matches played in Saudi Arabia
Players under armour should now always match the colour of their kit shorts
Under pitch heating should now work when on Low and Very Low graphics settings
Lowered the brightness of the pitch when playing matches at Night
Changes and improvements to manager hairstyles
In-Game Editor (IGE) / Pre-Game Editor (PGE)
Various Crash and Stability fixes
Added Kit Editor tile to the Club Edit card (IGE)
Flamboyancy and Goalkeeping non-player attributes can now be edited (PGE)
Non-Playing History staff roles no longer appear in the Staff History and Biography as a Player role (PGE)
Functionality of the duplicate button has been fixed (PGE)
Resolved an issue causing data edits from edit files not affecting the database information during manager creation (PGE)
Competition and Rule Groups
Africa
Updated rules & format for the African World Cup Qualifying
Women’s Africa Cup of Nations expanded to 16 teams
Argentina
Updated the participants of the Copa Argentina
Australia
Updated format rules for the Australian Cup
Austria
Updated the schedules for the Austrian Premier Division
Asia
AFC Champions League – Resolved an issue where the Winter Registration window would never open
AFC Women's Champions League – Updated the Schedule for 2026/27 season
China will now host the Under 20 Asian Nations Cup in 2027
Belgium
The Belgian First National Amateur Division no longer appears in game
Adjustments made to the starting times of matches on Saturday and Sunday in the Jupiler Pro League Season 25/26
Brazil
Updated a high number of formats, schedules and rules of various Brazilian State Championships
Updated the Brazilian Cup and Super Cup for the 2026 season
Updated the format, schedule, and rules for Brazilian U-20 Championship, and added the Brazilian U-20 Second Division
Canada
Updated salary cap information
Chile
Updated format rules for the Chilean Cup & Chilean Super Cup
Updated the Chilean First Division & Chile Cup Revenue
Updated the Chilean First Division and First Division B Match & Sorting Rules
Updated the Chile Cup Substitution rules
China
Various teams given Points Deductions and Fines
Removed the 100% transfer fee tax
Updated the Chinese FA Cup Match Rules
Colombia
Updated format & match rules for the Colombian First & Second Division
Updated the Colombian First Division Discipline Rules
Updated Colombian Second Division Semi Final Draw Rules
Updated Colombian First and Second Division TV Deals
Czechia
Updated the match rules for various Czech domestic competitions
Denmark
A-Liga squad numbers can now be assigned from 1-99
- CosmeticUpdated the format for A-Liga2025/26 and 2026/27 seasons
Europe
Countries who play in different nations will now have the correct flag displayed alongside their name
Updated the Hosts for Euro 2032
Updated the Hosts for European U19 Championships (2027, 2028, 2029)
Updated the Hosts for Women's European Football Championship 2029
Updated the Nation and Club Coefficients for women’s football
Egypt
Updated the match rules for the Egyptian Premier League
England
Resolved an issue causing some Premier League Fixtures occurring at the start of an international break
Updated Premier League Prize Money
Updated the substitution rules for FA Cup qualifying rounds & FA Youth Cup
Updated the format rules for U21/U18 Premier Division Cup & U18 Division 3 Cup
Resolved non-cat 1 English U21 clubs incorrectly qualifying for the U21 International Cup
- CosmeticU21 Premier Division International CupEnglish teams will now correctly only play at home
- CosmeticWSL & WSL2Trialists no longer allowed to play
Finland
Updated substitution rules for all league divisions, the Finnish Cup & the Finnish League Cup
Updated format rules for the Finnish First Division Championship League Cup
Updated the 2025/26 Transfer Windows dates
France
- CosmeticFrench Women's CupReserve Teams will no longer participate
Germany
- Cosmetic3. Ligaadded rule where clubs get an automatic 9-point deduction if they enter administration
Updated the substitution rules for German Women's Cup
U21 Frauen Bundesliga players no longer need to be registered
Hong Kong
Updated format rules for the Premier U22 League
Indonesia
Added VAR to the Indonesian Super League & Indonesian Championship
Updated the Indonesian League Two Schedule
Removed the Piala President Cup
Israel
Updated VAR rules for various competitions across Israel
Italy
Resolved an issue where trophy celebration would wrongly trigger in Serie A if teams were tied on points for first place when instead a playoff game should decide the champions
Removed Extra Time from the Italian Super Cup
Removed Extra Time from the Italian Serie C Cup (except in the semifinals and final)
Added VAR to the Serie BKT & Italian Serie C
Updated VAR Rules to the Serie A Women Athora
- CosmeticItalian Serie CVarious clubs given points deductions
Updated the number of teams for Italian Serie C/B in 2025/26 due to Rimini being excluded from the league
Updated the Squad Rules for Serie A Femminile eBay
Updated the Schedule for the Italian U20 Primavera 3
Japan
Updated the J1/J2/J3 League Schedule
Updated substitution rules for the J1/J2/J3 Special Tournament playoff stages
Malaysia
Updated the Malaysia Transfer Window dates
Updated the Malaysian Super League Squad Registration Rules
Updated the Malaysian Super League & Malaysian Cups Schedules
Updated the format rules for Malaysian Super League & Malaysian FA Cup
Updated the Malaysian A1 Semi-Professional League Transfer and Match Rules
Removed the Malaysian Football League Cup
North America
Updated the format for the North American W Champions Cup
Updated the schedule for the North American Champions Cup
Northen Ireland
Added the NIFL Charity Shield Competition
Extra Time added to the North West Senior Cup
BetMcLean League Cup correctly renamed to BetMcLean Cup
Updated the Sports Direct Premiership & Bet McLean Cup Scheduling
Updated substitution rules for various competitions & cups
Peru
Peruvian First Division Prize Money is now correctly distributed
Updated the Peruvian First Division Squad Registration Rules
Updated the Peruvian First Division Match Rules
Portugal
Updated the Loan Rules for all divisions
Updated the format rules for the Portugal Championship & Portuguese U19 First Division
Updated the Portuguese League Cup Match Rules
Resolved an issue causing teams in Portuguese Third Division Championship Groups to incorrectly start with bonus points
Poland
The Polish FA Cup Final now has the correct date
Romania
VAR added to the Romanian Cup & Romanian Super Cup
Russia
Updated the Russian Premier League Match Rules
Updated substitutions rules for the Russian Cup
Scotland
Hamilton Academical given 15-point deduction
Serbia
Updated scheduling for all leagues
Spain
Updated the Spanish Women's Divisions and Cups Match Rules
Updated the Spanish Women's First/Second Division Squad Number rules
Singapore
Updated the Singapore Cup Schedule
Added VAR to the Singaporean Premier League/Singapore Cup/Singaporean Community Shield
Slovenia
Updated the league formats due to a team going bankrupt
Spain
Updated the match and squad number rules for several Spanish women’s competitions
Sweden
Hammarby TFF are now correctly able to get promoted
IFK Goteborg now play in the correct stadium
Updated the Men's & Women’s Transfer Window Dates
Updated Women's Football Contract Rules
Updated the Swedish Second Division Norrland Format
Updated the OBOS Damallsvenskan Match Rules & Schedule
Updated the Elitettan Schedule
South America
Updated the Copa Sudamericana Knock Out Play Off Round seeding format
Updated the Copa Libertadores Draw Dates
Updated the Copa Libertadores and Copa Sudamericana finals host cities (2026 and 2027 seasons)
Updated the U20s Copa Libertadores 2025 and 2026 schedules.
Updated the U20s Championship Schedule
South Korea
Updated the Hana Bank K League 1 and 2 Match & Squad Registration Rules
Updated the Korea Cup Match Rules
Turkey
Updated Match & Squad rules for all divisions
Updated the Turkish Super Cup dates for future editions
Uruguay
Updated the Uruguayan Cup Format & Schedule
Updated the teams featured in the Uruguay Reserve Division 2025
Wales
The New Saints no longer appear as an English club
Updated the Cymru Premier Match Rules
Updated Adran Premier Contract Rules
Aberystwyth Development, Berriew Development & Barry Town Linnets are now correctly ineligible to participate in Welsh Women's Cup
World
Updated Substitution rules for the Club Intercontinental Championship
Updated the men’s World Cup kickoff times
Updated the format of ‘pairing’ 1-4 seeds for the men’s World Cup
Updated the European/South American Super Cup date and venue for the 2026 edition
World Cup Playoff-Tournament hosts have been updated
Source