Having just received EA FC 26, you may be slightly confused by the variety of existing game modes, as there are many of them. To add to that, the mechanics of these modes have changed considerably in FC 26 due to the new gameplay presets. But what does each game mode have to offer, and which one would be the best for you? Let us explore.
This FC 26 guide will teach you about all the core game modes and whether they suit your playstyle. By the end of this article, you will feel confident exploring every mode and have a clear understanding of which FC 26 game modes suit you best.
All EA FC 26 Game Modes Explained
All core game modes in EA FC 26 can be broadly divided into two main categories: online and offline. Each category offers a completely unique experience. Most online modes focus more on competitive play. If you enjoy a challenge, you might find online game modes interesting, while offline game modes are great for enjoying FC 26 at your own pace.
Ultimate Team (FUT)
Let’s start with Ultimate Team, also called FUT. This is by far the most popular and profitable game mode in FC games. In Ultimate Team, you can build your dream squad with players of your choice and compete against other players online.
Ultimate Team is not just about playing matches, because the concept of squad building and trading, along with tons of objectives and challenges, makes it more engaging. No time to grind? Get help from professionals at U7BUY to boost your account from unranked to Rank 1 and secure amazing rewards.
FUT matches online use competitive gameplay tuning designed for balanced, responsive online play. If you’re a fan of simulation, enjoy building your own team with your desired players, like the competitive side of FC 26 and enjoy the idea of trading, earning coins and investing, then FUT is the perfect game mode for you.
Career Mode
If Ultimate Team is the king of online game modes, then Career Mode is the king of offline gameplay. Under Career Mode, you can either take the role of a manager in Manager Career or the role of a player in Player Career.
If you choose Manager Career, you get to play the role of a manager and take your club up the leaderboard. In Player Career, you can experience the ultimate football journey to stardom from a player’s perspective.
EA FC 26 has brought a lot of new changes to both career modes. You can now play Manager Career with ICONs and Heroes. Player Career now has Archetypes that provide a better progression system. There are also new Origin Stories for players to create a more personalized experience.
Career Mode in FC 26 offers a complete package and is perfect for offline play and for players who want to enjoy the best offline gameplay experience at their own pace.
Kick Off
Probably the most popular FC game mode ever across all versions. Kick Off is simple; if you want to play a quick match with your friends or against the CPU, this is the mode. In Kick Off, you can choose any team of your choice from any club or nation and play locally or online. This is the perfect game mode for casual gameplay, especially when you have friends over.
Online Friendlies
Love playing FC 26 with your friends but want to keep track? Give Online Friendlies a try. After five games, the player with the highest points wins the trophy. You can also track the competition over five seasons. So, if you love playing with friends, are competitive and want to showcase your skills on the field, then Online Friendlies is the game mode to go for.
Seasons (Solo and Co-op)
Seasons has two modes: Solo, which is Online Seasons, and Co-op Seasons. Both these game modes are played online and are part of ranked play. In Online Seasons, you play solo with your favorite team against other players who are in a similar division as you.
In Co-op Seasons, you can team up with a friend and play 2v2 against other players online. Whether you like to compete alone or with a friend in 2v2s, Seasons is great if you’re looking for a ranked challenge where you can earn points, climb the division and ultimately win the title.
Tournaments
Tournaments is another popular game mode in the FC series. Here, you can choose from over 50 authentic football tournaments, including Women’s Leagues, Men’s Leagues and Men’s Cups. You can also create a custom tournament and choose to play League, Knockout or both League and Knockout formats.
This game mode is perfect for players who enjoy structured competitions and want to experience different tournaments without worrying about online rankings. If you like trying out new teams, experimenting with strategies and competing in short or long formats at your own pace, Tournaments is the mode you should be playing.
Clubs
Finally, we have Clubs, another popular online mode in the FC series. Previously, this game mode was called Pro Clubs and it has a dedicated fan base of its own.
Clubs enable you to create a virtual player, select your favorite position, and play online with your friends or any other players. FC 26 has added many new features to Clubs, but predominantly the Archetype system, which allows you to customize your player even further, choosing how to develop and make the gameplay more personal and fulfilling.
This online game mode is ideal in case you’re a team player. If you are fond of building a player, developing their abilities, and playing along with your friends or any other players online to achieve a common goal, Clubs offers a fun and social way to enjoy FC 26.
Wrapping Up
These are all the core game modes in EA FC 26. While there are many other modes under Ultimate Team like Live Events, Rivals and more, the core concept remains the same.
To summarize, FC 26 has game modes for every type of player. If you like competition, ranking up and testing your skills, Ultimate Team, Online Friendlies and Seasons are perfect. Clubs is great if you enjoy teamwork and playing with others online.
Career Mode and Kick Off are the best in case you want to play at your own speed and have a less serious experience. Tournaments allow you to have organized competitions without penalty to online rankings. No matter what, FC 26 has a mode that you like, however you want to play.


