EA Sports has officially rolled out the FC 26 version 1.2.0 update, and it’s a substantial one. This patch brings sweeping adjustments across AI behavior, gameplay mechanics, Ultimate Team features, Career Mode, and more. Whether you play online or offline, you’ll likely notice changes in how matches flow — particularly around AI decision-making and player responsiveness.
Smarter AI, More Realistic Gameplay
Attacking Enhancements
EA Sports has refined how AI players behave in attacking phases to make offensive play feel more natural:
- Acrobatic shots immediately after flicks are now less accurate, rewarding better shot selection.
- AI teammates make more frequent and timely runs into the box, creating smarter passing lanes.
- Strikers now stay active in counterattacks, following up their passes rather than standing idle.
- Wingers push forward into open spaces more consistently instead of retreating unnecessarily.
These tweaks make attacking play smoother and more dynamic, giving skilled players greater control over buildup and finishing.
Defensive Adjustments
Defensive AI has been toned to achieve a fairer balance between pressure and positioning:
- AI defenders now mark pass receivers less tightly near the box edge, allowing slightly more breathing room.
- Man-marking during short corners is more consistent.
- Through-balls and crosses now better respect manual aim inputs, reducing the frustration of misplaced passes.
Overall, defensive AI feels less oppressive yet more reactive when it counts — rewarding players who rely on precise timing and positioning.
Goalkeeping Logic Improvements
Goalkeepers also received considerable attention in this patch:
- Keepers are more likely to catch crosses instead of punching when it’s the smarter option.
- Improved decision-making for dives versus staying on feet when dribblers close in.
- Reduced instances of goalies over-committing to one side on far-post shots.
- Remapped controls no longer affect the Be A Goalkeeper default inputs.
- Fixed rare cases of CPU goalkeepers taking unnecessary touches before passing.
EA notes a minor UI issue remains where remapped controls may display incorrectly — purely visual, with no gameplay impact.
Gameplay Polishing and Bug Fixes
Beyond AI tweaks, version 1.2.0 includes an extensive list of gameplay stability fixes:
- Player indicator and player switching accuracy improved.
- Corrected animation bugs such as unneeded sliding shots.
- Fixed occasional referee call inconsistencies, especially for tackles from behind.
- Corrected issues where shielding or directed runs didn’t follow input properly.
- Addressed rare bugs causing ball clipping through goalkeepers or unresponsive players during deflections.
These refinements collectively make FC 26 feel more fluid and responsive, especially in high-intensity online matches.
Ultimate Team – Evolutions and UI Refinement
Ultimate Team players will find several quality-of-life upgrades:
- You can now View Available Evolutions for a selected Player Item directly from its Actions menu, with a filtered list of eligible upgrades.
- Fixed bugs where “Claim All” could remove a favorite Objective Group.
- Adjusted pack-opening walkout logic to ensure higher-rated players appear when available.
- Fixed multiple UI glitches and text overlaps within Evolutions, Objectives, and menus.
- Resolved visual errors in Squad Battles leaderboards and Rivals rewards displays.
These tweaks streamline the grind for rewards and make navigating Ultimate Team smoother.
Clubs – Matchmaking and Visual Options
The Clubs mode also benefits from subtle yet impactful fixes:
- New Visual Settings option allows reducing on-screen player indicators (either teammates only or local player only).
- Goalkeeper Archetype now displays during Rush introductions.
- Improved matchmaking stability — fixing position mismatches and quick-start errors.
- AI goalkeepers now dive reliably on penalties.
- Several visual bugs with attributes, UI indicators, and customization saving have been addressed.
Career Mode – Smarter Management Tools
Career Mode gets a usability upgrade this patch:
- Added a new Injury Banner in Team Management showing duration, cause, and severity.
- You can now save default kits during pre-match selection.
- The Deep Simulation prompt now correctly adapts when no leagues are selected.
EA also resolved long-standing logic issues:
- Fixed premature contract requests and instant transfer demands.
- Youth player signings now function correctly after budget changes.
- Corrected board expectation mismatches and social-feed inaccuracies.
- Adjusted facial rendering and button callout visibility under HDR.
Career players will find the mode smoother, with better information presentation and fewer immersion-breaking glitches.
General, Visual, and Audio Fixes
Finally, FC 26 v1.2.0 delivers several broad improvements:
- Updated Season Pass Bundle UI with clearer multi-reward previews.
- [PC Only] Render-scale settings now display proper resolution values.
- Enhanced visuals across portraits, kits, banners, commentary, and cinematics.
- Fixed camera angle errors and end-of-match rating issues.
- [Switch 2 Only] Resolved Joy-Con tutorial overlays that persisted mid-match.
- Multiple stability and UI corrections across online friendlies and menus.
These touches further refine presentation and technical consistency across all platforms. Full Patch Notes
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