EA FC 26 Holiday Update Targets Goalkeeper Exploits and Adds Rush Rematches

Electronic Arts has detailed the upcoming Holiday Update for EA Sports FC 26. The patch is scheduled for release soon across all platforms. It addresses several community complaints and adds new features.This update focuses heavily on gameplay balance. Significant changes target goalkeeper movement, a long-standing point of contention among players.

Gameplay Balance Takes Center Stage with Goalkeeper Nerfs

The most notable changes involve goalkeepers. According to the official patch notes, manual goalkeeper movement speed in open play is “greatly reduced.” The amount of ground a manually controlled keeper can cover is also lessened.Furthermore, the “Goalkeeper Rush To Center” mechanic is removed from open play. These adjustments aim to curb exploiting goalkeeper mobility for unrealistic saves. It is a direct response to years of player feedback.The update also tweaks other gameplay elements. Headed pass accuracy is slightly decreased. Crossing trajectory is lowered to keep balls in the air for less time. Several bugs affecting set pieces and offside calls are fixed.However, the developers confirmed AI defending will not be adjusted in this patch. Monitoring of feedback continues. Any changes to defensive AI are expected in a future update, potentially in January.

New Features and Mode Improvements Roll Out

Beyond gameplay, the update introduces new content. A highly requested Rush rematch feature is coming to Ultimate Team. Players will be able to immediately replay Rush matches against the same opponent.Career Mode receives several quality-of-life upgrades. A new Squad Hub field shows a player’s willingness to extend their contract. The Create Your Club flow now includes a mascot preview.In Clubs, adjustments are made to short-term fatigue and Match Rating calculations for CAM roles. These fixes aim to create a more consistent experience. Ten new Classic XI teams will be added to Kick Off mode.The main menu will also receive a visual refresh for the holiday season. These cosmetic updates will go live via a server release shortly after the core patch.

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This EA FC 26 Holiday Update directly tackles critical gameplay issues raised by the community. The goalkeeper adjustments, in particular, mark a significant shift towards more authentic match simulations.

Info at your fingertips

Q1: What is the biggest change in the EA FC 26 Holiday Update?

The most significant change is the nerf to manual goalkeeper movement. Speed and ground coverage are greatly reduced in open play to prevent exploitation and promote realistic keeping.

Q2: Are they fixing AI defending in this update?

No, AI defending adjustments are not included in this Holiday Update. EA Sports states they are still monitoring feedback, with changes likely reserved for a future patch in January.

Q3: What is the Rush rematch feature?

It is a new option in Ultimate Team’s Rush mode. After a match ends, players can choose to rematch the same opponent immediately without returning to menus.

Q4: What Career Mode improvements are included?

Key additions include a visual contract willingness indicator in Squad Hub and a mascot preview in the Create Your Club creation flow, helping with long-term planning.

Q5: When will the update be released?

The update is scheduled for release soon. Some features, like the menu visual refresh and Classic XI teams, will activate via a separate server release shortly afterward.