As the football world prepares for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, excitement is also growing among gamers waiting for EA Sports FC 26. One of the biggest questions surrounding the upcoming title is whether EA Sports will introduce a dedicated World Cup mode. Although the company has not officially confirmed any details, leaks and community discussions strongly suggest that international football content will become a major focus in the game.
The situation is more complicated than in previous years because EA no longer owns the FIFA license. In 2022, EA Sports ended its long partnership with FIFA and rebranded the series from FIFA to EA Sports FC. As a result, EA can no longer use official FIFA branding, including the “FIFA World Cup” name, logo, and presentation package.
This means a traditional World Cup DLC similar to the ones released for FIFA 18 or FIFA 23 is unlikely to return. However, this does not mean that World Cup-inspired content will disappear entirely.
According to reports from gaming media outlets, EA is expected to create alternative international football events without directly referencing FIFA. RealSport101 reported that EA may introduce a football celebration event under a different identity, possibly using names such as “The World's Game” or other international-themed branding.

Recent leaks have increased speculation about major international content in FC 26. FootballGamingZone reported that data-miners discovered references to two possible in-game seasons called:
“Festival of Football”
“International Football”
Many players believe these names are connected to the 2026 World Cup and could serve as EA's unofficial replacement for a licensed tournament mode.
In addition, several reports suggest that EA is expanding national team licensing for the next game. Rumors indicate that Brazil's official national team could return alongside more authentic international kits, badges, and player databases.
Historically, EA has always increased national team content during World Cup years, so many fans see this as a strong sign that international football will play a major role in FC 26.
Ultimate Team is expected to become the center of these World Cup-themed events. Over the past few years, EA has transformed Ultimate Team into the franchise's most important mode, especially during major football tournaments.
If the leaks are accurate, players could see:
Special international-themed player cards
Country-based objectives
Live seasonal events
Squad Building Challenges (SBCs)
Tournament-inspired rewards
Many fans believe EA will replace the traditional World Cup DLC model with ongoing live-service content connected to the 2026 tournament.
With international-themed Ultimate Team events expected to become a major part of EA Sports FC 26, many players are already preparing their dream squads ahead of launch. For gamers looking to build competitive teams faster, marketplaces like Z2U are becoming a popular option for buying cheap FC 26 coins safely and quickly.
Some players are also hoping for improvements to Career Mode. Current versions already include international tournaments and national team management, but many fans believe these systems lack atmosphere and realism.
Although there are no strong leaks about major Career Mode upgrades, the community hopes EA could improve:
Tournament presentation
Crowd atmosphere
International competition depth
National team selection systems
Match broadcast realism
At the moment, however, most rumors are focused on Ultimate Team rather than offline modes.
The overall community reaction has been mostly positive. On Reddit and other football gaming forums, many players believe EA will definitely use the World Cup hype to create large-scale content updates, even without FIFA branding.
However, some concerns remain. Many fans worry that EA may focus too heavily on monetized Ultimate Team events instead of improving gameplay and offline experiences.
Still, most players agree that international football will likely become one of the biggest themes in FC 26.
| Rumored Feature | Current Status |
|---|---|
| Official FIFA World Cup Mode | Very unlikely |
| International FUT Events | Highly likely |
| Expanded National Teams | Strong possibility |
| World Cup Career Mode Upgrades | Unconfirmed |
| “Festival of Football” Season | Rumored leak |
At the moment, there is still no official confirmation regarding a dedicated World Cup mode in EA Sports FC 26. Nevertheless, the available leaks strongly suggest that international football will become one of the game's biggest themes.
Instead of recreating the classic FIFA World Cup experience, EA appears more likely to deliver a rebranded global football celebration built around seasonal live-service content and Ultimate Team events.
Until EA officially reveals more information, fans should treat all rumors carefully. Still, one thing seems increasingly clear: the excitement of the 2026 World Cup will almost certainly have a major influence on EA Sports FC 26.
If EA Sports FC 26 really delivers large-scale international football events and special Ultimate Team promos during the 2026 World Cup season, the in-game transfer market could become more competitive than ever. Many FUT players are expected to use platforms like Z2U to buy FC 26 coins and strengthen their squads more efficiently during major events.