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FM26 Tactic Testing: GYR’s SWANSALONA 4231
We are back with just our second tactic testing for FM26, and this one is a tactic that has been used in previous versions of the game, but has been updated by its creator for the latest version of FM. That tactic is GYR’s SWANSALONA 4231. Read on to find out how the tactic fared […]
Football Simulation and Learning from Gaming Platforms
Digital simulation is quietly revolutionizing the way people learn soccer. Players, coaches, and even prospects find these immersive training and analysis tools mixed into daily routines at all levels, from elite pros right down to youth clubs. Today’s soccer-specific virtual reality, customized simulation engines, and multiplayer digital sandboxes pull users deeper into tactics, turning theory […]
FM26 best free agent assistant managers
In every FM game, a manager is only as good as the staff they employ. The better the staff, the better the results a team will get. One of the most important members of staff you can employ is, of course, the assistant manager. One who doesn’t have to be bought out of a contract […]
FM26 scouting – best bargain forwards
Our series on FM26 bargains in particular positions has reached the forward position, meaning we have reached the end of our journey through FM26’s bargains. However, enjoy our final instalment of the series, so without further ado, here are our favourite FM26 forward bargains: (Please note these are players who I haven’t included in the […]
How to Master Transfers for Championship Success in Football Manager 26
Building a Championship squad in Football Manager 26 demands calm judgement and forward planning, as well as a clear understanding of how the league behaves across a long season. Managers who succeed usually build squads that can cope with fixture congestion, tactical shifts and unpredictable results, and a stable plan strengthens your chances of climbing […]
FM26 best bargain attacking midfielders/wingers
In our series on FM26 bargains, we have reached the position of good-value attacking midfielders or wingers. I have included them in one category, as many can play in both roles. So without further ado, here are our favourite attacking midfielders/wingers: Malcom (Al-Hilal) The Brazilian winger has offered decent value for money in the last […]
How Real Football Statistics Shape the Modern British Game
Long gone are the days when football relied only on intuition and passion. Today, every successful club in Britain — from the Premier League to the Championship — depends on data. Coaches, analysts, and scouts rely on precise numbers to understand what happens on the pitch. Statistics have become the language of modern football, turning […]
Football Manager 2026 Sets New Record – The Netflix Effect?
Earlier this month, the eagerly anticipated Football Manager 2026 was released and despite mixed responses from fans, its early success has been overwhelming. That’s if you judge success on numbers. In its first week alone, it reached 2.5 million players, smashing week one sales figures of all previous versions. And that’s just European figures. There […]
FM26 Tactic Testing: The Black Panther
After the success of our tactic-testing series over the last few years, we thought we would return with a new version for FM26. Although there is not the same wealth of tactics that have been produced for FM24, we found a few impressive tactics. The first tactic we tested was Black Panther by GYR, a […]
How Will the World Cup Licensing Affect Gameplay in Football Manager 26
The inclusion of the FIFA World Cup in Football Manager 2026 marks a shift in the series’s approach to international competitions. For the first time, Sports Interactive has secured official licenses from FIFA, allowing fully branded tournament play within the game. Tournament Integration and Simulation Mechanics Football Manager 2026 launched on November 4th, 2025. It […]
Football Manager 26: Deconstructing the Esports & Competitive Gaming Meta
Over the decades, a perceived barrier existed between the thinkers and the doers in competitive gaming. On the one hand, turn-based strategists; on the other, cognitive athletes of the high-reflex real-time esports. Football Manager 26 (FM26) does not simply cross this border; it obliterates it. The game has finally come to no longer be a […]
FM26 best bargain midfielders
In the latest of our FM26 series on bargain players across different positions, we have reached the midfield, where we will look at defensive and central midfielders. Here are five of our favourite midfield bargains in the latest edition of our favourite: Mads Bidstrup (Red Bull Salzburg) The Danish midfielder offers tremendous value for money. […]
The FFP Feature On FM26 Is Quite Cool
While Football Manager 2026 has had its fair share of critics, citing bugs, repetition, almost zero upgrades, it isn’t actually that bad. If anything, most of the bad press has probably been over-exaggerated. People seem to want “perfect”, not realising that this is a money-making gig. If they released the “perfect” game, with all of […]
Five of the Best MLS teams to Manage in FM26
Football Manager 26 has finally arrived, and fans are extremely excited to embark on their managerial careers. Alongside the game’s fresh Unity engine and some new leagues that have been added, fans are also assessing the various clubs they can manage. For many players, the MLS is a good place to start. Of course, Premier […]
FM26 best bargain defenders
In our series on FM26 bargains, the next position we are covering is defence, where we will look at five bargain defenders, whether that be full-backs or centre-backs. So, here are five defensive bargains: Ozan Kabak (Hoffenheim) The Turkish international is a bargain buy, as his stats are solid and he is a helpful asset […]
The Most Popular and Used FC 26 Players
With the release of the new FC game, there will be a lot of discussion and research on which characters are best to purchase and use. While some players may have different preferences, certain characters perform much better and are used far more than others. In our guide, you will find the most sought-after and […]
La Liga on the Edge: The Latest Explosive Weeks that are Changing the Balance of Power
La Liga is back in the spotlight. In it, every game is like a separate story. This season inspires with its unpredictability, and its heroes turn matches into a spectacle of strength and character. Sports arena news Football inspires again. Not only Spaniards, but the entire sporting world is watching this spectacle. The emotions of […]
Management Experiences vs. Real Soccer and Game Narrative
Soccer management games, well, they’ve carved out this strange, crowded corner of the digital world. It seems like every day, a flood of players slip into those virtual dugouts, tinkering with lineups and transfer budgets as if the season rolls on forever. The simulators spin up little epics of their own, rolling out stories that […]
New leagues are available in FM26?
As I am sure you are all aware, the Beta access of FM26 dropped to players who pre-ordered the game via Steam or other partner retailers. After a two-year wait for a new edition of FM, fans are understandably excited about the beta release. One of the first things many players look for in a […]
First thoughts on FM26 after its beta release
So yesterday was the day many players who pre-ordered FM26 got their first look at the game via beta access. In typical Football Manager fashion, the beta dropped late — around 8 pm GMT — after it was scheduled for 5 PM. This wasn’t a massive surprise, as it has happened before with beta. Once […]
The Best Formations in FM: How to play 3-1-4-2, 4-2-2-2 and 5-3-2
If you’ve played enough Football Manager, you know the right formation can make or break your season. It’s not just about selecting your best players — it’s about putting them in a system that works. That’s where this guide comes in. FM tactics expert Gerda Grinova explores three of the most effective formations in the […]
Potential free agent signings on FM26
In life, everybody loves a freebie, and when it comes to Football Manager, the same principle applies. With the release of FM26 looming, we thought we would take a look at potential free signings on the latest edition of the game. Enjoy! Takehiro Tomiyasu It is crazy to think that the Japanese defender is still […]
How FM26 Is Improving Its Realism
Football Manager has been the go-to for sports simulation for a long time, and for millions of fans, it’s a whole other world they can get lost in; the intricacies of football management are exactly the kind of thing that will keep them coming back for more every year. Sports Interactive’s team of developers keep […]
Excitement builds as FM26 is due for pre-release
According to rumours and whispers online, the long-awaited Football Manager 2026 could be released this week as pre-access, with the official release date being 4th November. About time! Will be the reaction of most fans of Football Manager, as it seems like Football Manager 2024 was released forever ago. The stats, leagues and players were […]
Managing the Beautiful Game: How Football Manager Inspires Real-World Football
The Football Manager really has never been able to capture every subtle nuance and emotional swell that belongs to the beautiful game. For nearly two decades, this franchise has allowed fans to slip into the managerial shoes of their favourite club, enmeshing strategy, scouting, and psychological nuances into a full-blown immersive experience. Kernels of truth […]
West Ham crisis: sudden failure or trend?
four matches and secured one win against Nottingham Forest. Their early exit from the League Cup against Wolverhampton, with a 3-2 defeat, deepened concerns. With thirteen goals conceded and only five scored, the club’s negative goal difference has alarmed supporters and analysts alike. Amidst this atmosphere, discussions about form have spilled into wider spheres. […]
FM26: Taking Rangers back to their former glories
Some clubs are sleeping giants, just ready to be awakened after years of very little success. However, it is unusual for one of Britain’s most historic football institutions to be described as a ‘sleeping giant’. However, that is what Scottish giants Rangers are at the moment. The latest boss brought in to turn around the […]
New changes from bringing more women’s football into football manager
The recent years have seen a growth in women’s football. This growth has gained the recognition of this genre across global sporting platforms. This is not limited to physical spaces but for digital platforms as well including the simulation games. One such example is Football Manager, a game which is well known for its realistic […]
Can you return clubs to their former glories in FM26?
Football is a game that moves quickly, clubs rise and fall, and things very rarely stay the same. Some once massive clubs may no longer hold the standing they once had. Some clubs experienced their glory days in the early stages of the top European football leagues. Here are some good saves involving these clubs […]
10 Most Expensive Summer Transfers in 2025
The 2025 summer again confirmed why the Premier League is the financial giant of football. England clubs had spent over 3 billion on transfers, surpassing the rest of Europe and changing squads even before the 2025-26 season. The other leagues were envious, but England stole the show. Here we look at the ten most expensive […]
Predicted best wonderkids on FM26
One of the most enjoyable facets of Football Manager is signing a wonderkid and seeing them develop into world-class players. With FM26 on the horizon, and with the help of our friends at EFEM, we will be examining which players are predicted to have the highest potential rating in the game. They use growth attributes, […]
Non-league clubs to take to glory in FM26
With Football Manager 2026 set for release in the next few months, we are looking at interesting save ideas for the latest edition of the game’s favourite football simulator. Some FM players enjoy managing clubs at the top level of the beautiful game. However, some FM players love a challenge, and one save idea that […]
Skills You Need to Manage Finances in FM Without Breaking the Bank
Finance management in Football Manager (FM) can be as significant as strategies on the field. A balanced budget will keep your club afloat and guarantee success in the long term, whereas poor financial management will kill even the best of projects. As financial realism continues to get better each year, understanding how to manage money […]
Former FM wonderkids that have made moves in 2025
Although FM26 is on the horizon, there is still life left in FM24, even if most of us have played the game to death. As FM24 was released so long ago, many of our favourite wonderkids from the latest edition of the game and even other recent editions of FM have moved on. However, which […]
Three Teams That You Could Start FM 2026 With
As the release date for Football Manager draws ever closer – highly anticipated following the scrapping of FM 2025, many of you will probably have already started thinking about how you will start the next one and with which teams. A lot has obviously changed since two years ago – clubs have been promoted, relegated, […]
Potential wonderkids of FM26
With the release of FM26 now tantalisingly close, we thought we would take a look at one of our favourite areas of FM and see which players could be possible wonderkids in the latest edition of the game. Here are the players we believe could be possible wonderkids on FM26: Givairo Read (Feyenoord) The Amsterdam-born […]
FM Wunderkinds 2026: Scout Filters, Hidden Attributes, and a 5-Season Plan
Football Manager 2026 makes star-hunting feel like data science with a human edge. If your gaming life sits next to the FIRST.com gambling guide, you already value structure, odds, and sample size—three habits that turn talents spotting from luck to repeatable craft. Below is a practical, field-tested approach that shows how to set smart search […]
Why Football Manager Has Remained a Cult Game for Many Years
Football Manager is one of those video games that balances obsession, nostalgia, and cultural influence. Over several decades, the football management simulator has drawn public attention worldwide. The game has become an alternate reality, and for many, a lifelong ritual. Why does Football Manager have a cult status, unlike other mainstream games like FIFA? Let’s […]
A look back at FM lover Diogo Jota’s career
Many people involved in football have professed their love of Football Manager in public, which has helped raise the profile of the game. In fact, one of the most significant reported fans of the game is the now sadly deceased former Liverpool star Diogo Jota. In an interview with the official Football Manager website, Jota […]
Has Football Become a Game of Data for Fans?
Football doesn’t look the way it did five years ago. The game has grown more precise, more technical. Managers break down formations move by move, and that same level of analysis is now common among fans. Supporters who once judged matches by momentum or passion are now tracking stats, heat maps, and expected goals to […]
UI and release dates of Football Manager 2026 revealed
A few days after the reveal of the new graphics of Football Manager 2026, there has been even more revealed about the latest edition of FM, as we now know what the UI will look like and also when the game will be available to play. When will the game be released, and how much […]
How The Top Premier League Managers Are Setting Up Their Squads In 2025
With the 2025/26 season underway, we are already seeing how some of the top managers in the league are lining up their squads. Over the years, a lot has changed in general, from early technology to the advanced development of live UK casino games and numerous evolutions even in football tactics. We have surprisingly seen […]
Iconic Football Stadiums and Their Stories
Football stadiums are more than just a venue for a football match; they are architectural landmarks that shape and represent the pride of a city. Stadiums can come in many ways, from large global infrastructures to small grassroots stands. Regardless of the stadium’s size, the underlying fact remains that it is a place to bring […]
How Pep Guardiola Has Changed Football Forever
Pep Guardiola is one of the greatest managers of all time, leaving a legacy in the sport that will remain forever. His legacy does not only come from the trophies he has accumulated during his managerial career, but also from the effect he will leave on the game for decades to come. Pep is a […]
How Fans Blend Football and Gaming Daily
The way in which football supporters engage with the sport has dramatically shifted in recent years. There is no doubt that the beautiful game lies at the heart of British culture, and captivates countless other nations, drawing millions of fans to stadiums and screens alike. Yet, the rise of technology has opened new avenues for […]
Exciting new update on FM26 graphics
It has been hard to be a Football Manager fan lately, perhaps even as hard as being a Manchester United fan. However, it seems we are now coming out of the darkest into the light of a brand-new edition of our favourite football manager simulation. SI has now released a video with footage of […]
Football’s Future in the Age of AI and Prediction Models
It feels almost surreal to think that not too long ago, football analysis was confined to grainy VHS footage and gut instincts. Nowadays, algorithmic whispers flutter across every pitch—from grassroots to the Premier League. I still remember the first time I saw a heatmap float over a replay; my jaw hit the floor, and I […]
Miles Jacobson reveals the real reasons for FM25 cancellation
We have been discussing the now-fabled Football Manager 2025 for a long time since it was cancelled. With FM26 now confirmed and almost normal service set to resume in November with the yearly release of our favourite football manager sim, SI head honcho Miles Jacobson has decided to reveal the real reason FM25 was cancelled. […]
Why my FM favourite Xavi Simons could be an excellent signing for Tottenham
Every Football Manager player has players they love to sign in the game. Some are big-name players, while others are lesser-known players. For me, one player who has been one of my favourites in recent editions of FM is Dutch attacking midfielder Xavi Simons. He is expensive on FM24, but I have still managed to […]
Will Still: The First Laptop Manager in the English Football League
Few have made the jump from video game to real-life employment. Will Still is one of the elite, who has forged a career in professional soccer management off the back of his Football Manager knowledge. Fans of Football Manager have long known the depth inherent in the game. Yet this was not well known outside […]