For years, fans of EA’s FIFA (now EA Sports FC) franchise have been clamoring for a fully licensed Brazilian league in the game. Brazilian clubs and players hold a special place in football, yet recent FIFA/FC titles have only featured Brazilian teams in a limited, often unsatisfying way. Now, a new leak has sparked hope that EA Sports FC 26 might finally bring authentic Brazilian clubs back into the fold – albeit not the entire league. Below, we explore why the Brazilian league has been missing, what the latest leaks reveal about its possible return, and which clubs are rumored to appear.
Why Brazilian Clubs Have Been Missing from FIFA/EA FC
For nearly a decade, EA’s football games have lacked a fully licensed Brazilian league due to licensing and image rights complications. In Brazil, each player owns their own image rights, and these rights must be negotiated individually – a mandate of the country’s sports law (Lei Pelé). This differs from most countries where deals with a players’ union or league cover everyone. EA Sports previously relied on global agreements via FIFPro to include player likenesses, but Brazilian courts ruled such agreements invalid without each player’s explicit consent.
This legal backdrop led to numerous lawsuits against EA for using player likenesses without proper authorization, prompting EA to back away from licensing Brazilian players altogether after FIFA 16. Brazilian teams remained in the game due to EA’s licensing of CONMEBOL competitions like Copa Libertadores, but with entirely fictional rosters.
Compounding the issue, rival publisher Konami seized the opportunity to secure exclusive deals. By FIFA 19, EA had only a fragmented representation of Brazil’s Série A teams, all featuring fake players. The lack of a unified Brazilian league authority has left Brazil’s presence in FIFA piecemeal.
Leak Hints at Brazilian Teams in EA Sports FC 26
A recent leak from renowned EAFC leaker FGZ caused excitement when he tweeted, “🚨 ARE YOU READY BRAZIL? 🇧🇷⚽️ #FC26”, accompanied by an image featuring Brazilian club logos. However, FGZ soon clarified that the entire league will not be fully licensed initially.
Instead, some teams will appear licensed, likely totaling 12 Brazilian clubs. FGZ indicated these clubs specifically align with the Liga Forte Futebol (LFF) coalition, highlighting a strategic approach by EA to bypass individual negotiations through collective deals.
The 12 Brazilian Clubs Rumored for EA FC 26
The leaked image points to these teams:
- Fortaleza – Rising club from Ceará, recent Copa Sudamericana finalist.
- Cruzeiro – Belo Horizonte powerhouse, multiple-time Brazilian and Copa Libertadores champion.
- Cuiabá – Recent top-flight team representing Brazil’s Midwest.
- Fluminense – Rio giant, recently won 2023 Copa Libertadores.
- Criciúma – Historical club from Santa Catarina, Copa do Brasil winner.
- Corinthians – São Paulo giant, globally renowned, former FIFA Club World Cup winner.
- Botafogo – Historic Rio club, resurgence in recent years.
- Atlético Goianiense – Goiânia team frequently moving between divisions.
- Athletico Paranaense – Curitiba powerhouse, recent Copa Sudamericana winner.
- Juventude – Caxias do Sul team known for 1999 Copa do Brasil victory.
- Vasco da Gama – Historic Rio club, multiple-time national champion.
- Internacional – Porto Alegre club, FIFA Club World Cup and multiple Copa Libertadores titles.
These clubs span Brazil’s geography and include a mix of top-flight teams and historically significant clubs. If fully licensed, they would feature real names, crests, kits, and potentially authentic players.
What to Expect Next
Fans should await official EA confirmation, typically arriving by mid-July. There’s speculation that Brasileirão content could even arrive as a post-launch update. Crucially, even partial inclusion signals EA’s progress in navigating Brazilian licensing complexities through collective agreements.
The possibility of Brazilian clubs fully returning to EA Sports FC has fans eagerly anticipating EA’s next moves. It’s a hopeful moment for Brazilian football enthusiasts, signaling potential greater inclusion down the road.
FAQ About Brazilian teams in EAFC
Why haven’t Brazilian teams been fully licensed in EA Sports FIFA/FC?
Due to complex image rights laws in Brazil requiring individual player agreements rather than collective league-wide deals.
How many Brazilian clubs are rumored to appear in EA Sports FC 26?
Twelve Brazilian clubs are rumored to appear in EA Sports FC 26, according to recent leaks.
Will EA Sports FC 26 feature the entire Brazilian league?
No, only select teams (around 12 clubs) are expected to be featured initially.
Which coalition of clubs is EA reportedly negotiating with?
EA is reportedly negotiating with clubs affiliated with Liga Forte Futebol (LFF).
When should fans expect official confirmation of Brazilian teams in EA Sports FC 26?
Fans should anticipate official announcements by mid-July or possibly updates post-launch.
