Sports Interactive has just dropped a game-changing announcement — they’ve officially teamed up with FIFA. That’s right, the football world’s biggest governing body is joining forces with one of gaming’s most iconic management franchises, and we’re absolutely here for it.
This multi-year partnership brings official licences for FIFA’s biggest tournaments straight into Football Manager 26. We’re talking the FIFA World Cup 26 hosted in Canada, Mexico, and the USA, plus the FIFA Women’s World Cup and the FIFA Club World Cup. And that’s just the start — more competitions will be added down the line.
What This Means for FM Fans
With this partnership, FM26 players will finally get to experience fully licensed tournaments, complete with official kits, broadcast graphics, and all the slick branding you’d expect from the world’s most-watched football event. Imagine guiding your national side to glory — but this time, everything looks and feels exactly like the real thing.
It’s also the perfect time to revamp the game’s International Management mode. A content update next year for FM26, FM26 Console, and FM26 Touch will overhaul this part of the game, giving us deeper tools, richer interactions, and that extra bit of authenticity that’s been missing. Oh, and yes — FM26 Mobile (Netflix) will include International Management right from launch.
A Historic Moment for Sports Interactive
Miles Jacobson, Studio Director at Sports Interactive, called this “an incredibly historic moment” — and he’s not exaggerating. Partnering with FIFA marks a huge milestone for both the studio and long-time fans of the franchise. With the upcoming World Cup year fast approaching, this couldn’t be better timed.
Jacobson explained: “Revamping International Management and making it feature-rich was something we really wanted for our players. To do that with FIFA’s official licence, full tournament branding, and broadcast visuals — it’s a real honour.”
Built in Unity, Ready for the Future
FM26 is also shaking things up under the hood. For the first time ever, it’s built on the Unity Engine, bringing a complete refresh to the managerial experience. Expect cleaner visuals, smoother animations, and a bold new direction that sets the stage for the next era of football management gaming.
The game releases worldwide on November 4, across all major platforms, so get ready to step into the dugout, redefine your tactics, and lead your team to eternal glory. Whether it’s club or country, Football Manager 26 is looking more authentic — and more exciting — than ever.
Looking Ahead to 2026 and Beyond
Sports Interactive has made it clear — this is just the beginning. The FIFA partnership will evolve with time, and we’ll see more officially licensed tournaments and events coming in future updates and releases. For long-time fans, it’s an exciting new era of realism and recognition for a franchise that’s been at the heart of virtual football for decades.
Mark your calendars for November 4, managers — FM26 isn’t just a new season, it’s a whole new league.
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