FM24 vs FM26: Complete Comparison Guide (Everything That Changed)

Introduction

After two years without a new release, Football Manager 26 represents the most significant evolution in the series' tactical history.

With FM25 cancelled, the development team had additional time to reimagine core systems from the ground up. For managers returning from FM24, the changes are transformative.

This comprehensive guide breaks down every major difference between FM24 and FM26, helping you understand what's changed, what's new, and how to adapt for the new era of Football Manager.

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The Tactical Revolution: Dual Formations Change Everything

FM24: Single Formation System

In FM24, you selected one formation that your team maintained throughout the match.

Whether attacking or defending, your players held their assigned positions and roles.

While you could make adjustments through team instructions and individual player instructions, your fundamental shape remained constant.

FM26: In Possession and Out of Possession

FM26 introduces separate formations for when you have the ball versus when you're defending.

This mirrors how modern football actually works, where teams dramatically shift their shape based on possession.

In Possession Formation: Defines how your team positions itself when building attacks and controlling the ball. This is your attacking shape.

Out of Possession Formation: Shows how your team defends in a settled block, pressing high, or sitting deep.

For example, a team using a 4-3-3 when attacking might shift to a 4-1-4-1 when defending, compressing the midfield to deny space. The transition between these shapes happens organically based on ball possession.

The Tactical Visualiser

FM26 introduces a powerful new tool that shows exactly how your tactics play out across different areas of the pitch.

The pitch is divided into three vertical zones (defensive third, middle third, final third), and you can see how your formation shifts as play develops.

The Visualiser reveals positioning changes that were previously hidden.

For instance, an Inside Wing-Back might start as a traditional fullback in your defensive third, then drift into midfield as the ball moves forward.

This clarity helps you design tactics with confidence and spot potential issues before they cost you points.

Key Tactical Comparison

Aspect	FM24	FM26
Formations	1 formation for entire match	2 formations (IP/OOP)
Player Roles	1 role per player	2 roles per player (IP/OOP)
Tactical Views	Single view	4 views (IP, OOP, Both, Combined)
Role Duties	Attack/Support/Defend	Removed (integrated into roles)
Visualisation	Basic pitch view	Advanced Visualiser with zonal analysis
Match Adjustments	Touchline shouts + tactical changes	Tactical changes only (shouts removed)

Player Roles: Complete Overhaul

What's Been Removed

FM26 says goodbye to some traditional role names that newcomers found confusing:

• Mezzala - Gone
  
• Enganche - Gone
  
• Trequartista - Gone
  
• Segundo Volante - Gone
  
• Carrilero - Effectively replaced
  

These roles haven't disappeared entirely; their functionality has been integrated into new, more clearly named roles or split between In Possession and Out of Possession variants.

Major New In Possession Roles

FM26 introduces numerous new roles designed for modern tactical systems:

Goalkeepers:

• No-Nonsense Goalkeeper (safety-first approach)
  
• Ball-Playing Goalkeeper (joins buildup play)
  

Defenders:

• Overlapping Centre-Back (advances wide to deliver crosses)
  
• Advanced Centre-Back (transitions into DM during buildup)
  
• Inside Full-Back (tucks into CB line during buildup)
  
• Pressing Full-Back (engages high to support press)
  
• Holding Full-Back (stays deeper while team presses)
  

Wing-Backs:

• Playmaking Wing-Back (creative hub for attacks)
  
• Advanced Wing-Back (stays high and wide)
  
• Inside Wing-Back (moves centrally to support midfield)
  
• Holding Wing-Back (defensive variant)
  
• Pressing Wing-Back (supports high press)
  

Midfielders:

• Midfield Playmaker (dictates tempo centrally)
  
• Wide Central Midfielder (covers wide areas from center)
  
• Box-to-Box Playmaker (creative engine with energy)
  
• Channel Midfielder (makes direct runs into channels)
  
• Dropping DM (drops into backline under pressure)
  
• Screening DM (blocks central passing lanes)
  
• Pressing DM (steps forward to press high)
  

Attackers:

• Wide Forward (striker operating in wide channels)
  
• Channel Forward (runs between defenders)
  
• Half-Space Forward (wide attacker drifting inside)
  
• Second Striker (drops early, pushes up to score)
  
• Wide Playmaker (starts wide, drifts inside to create)
  
• Half-Space Winger (operates in the corridor between wing and center)
  

Out of Possession Roles: Entirely New System

FM26 introduces a completely new set of roles specifically for defending.

These define how players operate when your team doesn't have the ball, whether pressing high, holding a mid-block, or defending deep.

These roles are rated separately from In Possession roles, based on positional familiarity and defensive attributes.

A creative Midfield Playmaker in possession might become a Screening CM out of possession, sitting deep to block space, or a Pressing CM to win the ball high.

Role Conversion Guide: FM24 to FM26

FM24 Role	Typical FM26 IP Role	Typical FM26 OOP Role	Notes
Mezzala	Channel Midfielder	Screening CM / Wide Covering CM	More direct, less roaming
Segundo Volante	Box-to-Box Playmaker	Pressing DM	Creative when attacking, disruptive when defending
Enganche	Free Role AM	Tracking AM	Splits creative freedom (IP) from defensive duties (OOP)
Trequartista	Advanced Playmaker / Free Role AM	Tracking AM	Functionality merged into existing roles
Carrilero	Wide Covering CM	Wide Covering CM	Similar concept, clearer naming
Inverted Winger	Half-Space Winger / Inside Winger	Tracking Winger	Updated terminology
Wing-Back (Attack)	Wing-Back / Advanced Wing-Back	Holding Wing-Back	Major positional difference OOP
Complete Wing-Back	Playmaking Wing-Back	Inside Wing-Back	Role split by phase

The key philosophy: FM26 roles are clearer about what they do, and the dual-role system lets you be more specific about how players behave in different match phases.

Team Instructions: Visual and Intuitive

FM24 Instruction System

FM24 used text-based instructions with some sliders. Instructions like "Play Out of Defence," "Get Stuck In," and "Hit Early Crosses" were straightforward but sometimes vague about their exact effects.

FM26 Instruction System

The instruction display is now highly visual and context-sensitive, showing only instructions relevant to the phase (IP or OOP) and pitch area you're viewing.

New Instruction Categories Include:

• Passing Directness (Shorter/Balanced/Direct)
  
• Tempo (slider control)
  
• Risk-Taking (slider control)
  
• Attacking Width (slider control)
  
• Patience (slider control)
  
• Attacking Transitions (Counter-Attack/Standard)
  
• Crossing Style (Balanced/Standard/Reduced)
  
• Build-Up Strategy
  
• Pass Reception (Balanced/Overlapped)
  
• Work From Distance
  
• Goal Kicks (Short/Standard)
  

Instructions are now integrated directly with the Visualiser, so you can see in real-time how adjusting width or tempo affects your team's positioning.

Transition Instructions Reorganised

Transition instructions haven't been removed; they've been logically relocated:

• Attacking Transitions (what happens when you win the ball) now sit within In Possession settings
  
• Defensive Transitions (what happens when you lose the ball) now sit within Out of Possession settings
  

Direct Link to Data Hub

Team Instructions now connect directly to FM26's Data Hub, allowing you to make informed tactical adjustments based on match statistics and expected goals (xG) data without leaving the tactics screen.

Match Engine: Unity-Powered Evolution

FM24 Match Engine

FM24 used the final iteration of the previous-generation engine, with incremental improvements to animations, AI decision-making, and visual presentation.

FM26 Match Engine: Complete Upgrade

Visual Fidelity:

• Unity engine delivers the highest graphical quality in FM history
  
• Revamped lighting system with dynamic time-of-day effects
  
• New sky effects adding depth and realism
  
• Enhanced pitch shader making surfaces more detailed
  
• Weather effects (rain, snow) far more evident
  
• Stadium design overhaul reflecting location and club stature
  

Player Movement:

• Hundreds of new volumetric animations captured by Hawk-Eye Innovations from real matches
  
• More natural running styles and footwork
  
• Upgraded dribbling AI allowing players to bait defenders
  
• Inside-footed wingers cut inside more authentically
  
• Goalkeeper movement enhanced with motion capture and physics modeling
  

Match Intelligence:

• Completely rewritten pass risk assessment system
  
• Players make smarter decisions about line-breaking passes
  
• Greater creativity in bypassing defenders (sliding passes around legs, delicate chips)
  
• Midfielders time half-space runs more intelligently
  
• Forwards sharper at spotting cutback opportunities
  
• Refined defensive logic across team structures
  
• Improved interception system (stretching, lunging)
  
• Enhanced goalkeeper save logic, cross claiming, and distribution
  

New Team Instruction: Pass to Feet gives additional control over build-up phase

Women's Football Integration

FM26 authentically integrates women's football with bespoke motion capture, new character models, specific kit settings, and hair textures reflecting how female players move differently from men. Over 36,000 female players across 14 playable leagues in 11 nations are included at launch.

User Interface: Reimagined for Efficiency

FM24 Interface

FM24 used a familiar sidebar navigation system with the Home screen and Inbox as separate entities.

Navigation was functional but required multiple clicks to access different areas.

FM26 Interface: The Portal and Beyond

The Portal: Combines the old Home and Inbox into a single hub. This is your command center featuring:

• All messages with improved filters (All, New, Tasks, Unread)
  
• Enhanced action panel for decisions
  
• Advice dropdown for quick backroom guidance
  
• Upcoming fixtures integration
  
• Two-week calendar snapshot
  
• Global news feed
  
• Quick access to results and league information
  

New Navigation Bar:
Moved to the top of the screen with consolidated categories for faster access.
Clean, streamlined design with extensive sub-menus when you need to dig deeper.

Enhanced Search:
Previously limited to entities (players, clubs, nations), FM26's search now includes objects, information, and navigation.
Search for any football term or game area and get relevant tiles, messages, news items, and guides.



FMPedia:
An in-game glossary and user guide providing explanations for everything from Financial Fair Play to tactical systems.
Access it via the ribbon icon or search bar anytime.

Bookmarks:
Customizable quick links to your most-visited areas. Start with 6 curated bookmarks, customize from 24 total options.
Tailor your experience to your management priorities.

Tiles and Cards:
Every screen uses a tile-and-card system. Tiles provide key snapshots; click them to reveal detailed cards.
More contextual data served earlier than previous editions.

Features Removed or Disabled

FM26 streamlines the experience by removing features that were underutilized or required more development time:

Feature	Status	Future Plan
Touchline Shouts	Removed	Not returning in near future
Create-A-Club	Disabled	Returning vastly improved in FM27
Challenge Mode	Disabled	Scheduled return revamped in FM27/FM28
Versus Mode	Disabled	May return in different form
Fantasy Draft	Possibly disabled	May return with main data update
International Management	Possibly Disabled	Returning feature-rich in FM27 (playable on FM26 Mobile)
Social Media Screen	Removed	Key info appears in other areas
Data Chalkboard Tab	Removed	Made redundant by Data Hub
Player Weight Info	Hidden	Still calculated but not displayed

Note: Some of these were announced before FM25's cancellation and may have changed.

Match Day Experience: Immersion Elevated

Camera and Presentation

• Rebuilt camera system with wider range of angles
  
• New Broadcast Mode combining multiple camera points with cinematic angles
  
• Smarter replays that analyze goal type to show the best perspective
  
• Dynamic Highlight Mode adjusts highlight frequency based on match importance and drama
  

Audio and Atmosphere

Major audio improvements capture the rush of attacking play and elation of goals, making you feel closer to every moment.

Match Overview Screen

Between highlights, a new overview screen provides:

• Embedded classic 2D pitch view
  
• Enhanced assistant manager advice using xG and xA data
  
• More contextual pointers (e.g., suggesting tempo reduction to conserve energy when winning late)
  
• Expandable data cards for tactical tweaks
  
• Latest results from around the league
  

Cutscenes Reimagined

Wholesale changes to pre-match and post-match cutscenes with:

• New additions showcasing licensed competitions
  
• Depth of field and Steadicam cinematography
  
• Visually vivid representations of match balls and trophies
  
• Enhanced realism and authenticity
  

What This Means for You

The Learning Curve

FM26 represents a significant shift in how you approach tactics.

The dual-formation system requires thinking about your team in two distinct phases rather than one fixed shape.

Initially, this may feel overwhelming, especially for veterans accustomed to FM24's system.

However, FM26 provides extensive support:

• Assistant manager suggestions for complementary OOP formations
  
• Tactical Visualiser shows exactly what your setup does
  
• FMPedia offers guides for every new concept
  
• Backroom staff warn you when tactics carry excessive risk
  

Why It's Worth It

These changes aren't just complexity for complexity's sake. They reflect how modern football actually works.

Elite managers like Pep Guardiola, Jürgen Klopp, and Mikel Arteta constantly shift their team's shape based on possession.

FM26 finally lets you replicate this tactical sophistication.

The removal of touchline shouts might seem limiting, but the dual-formation system gives you far more control over how your team behaves in different match states.

Instead of shouting "Get Stuck In," you design an OOP formation that's naturally aggressive.

Preparing for FM26

1. Study the new role names - Familiarize yourself with what replaced Mezzala, Enganche, etc.
   
2. Think in two phases - Start conceptualizing tactics as IP and OOP rather than one shape
   
3. Embrace experimentation - The Visualiser lets you test ideas safely
   

Conclusion

FM26 isn't just an iteration; it's a revolution.

The two-year development cycle allowed Sports Interactive to fundamentally rethink how tactics work, how the match engine simulates football, and how you navigate the game.

For FM24 veterans, the initial adjustment will take time, but the depth and authenticity of FM26's tactical system represents the future of football management simulation.

The game now mirrors the complexity of real football, where shape is fluid and players have distinct roles depending on whether their team has the ball.

Welcome to the new era of Football Manager.

Continue Your FM26 Preparation:

• FM26 New Features Complete Guide
• FM26 Tactics Overhaul
• FM26 Player Roles Breakdown

Get Early Access to FM26

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