EA Sports is about to release the second major update for FC 26, and the focus is clear: AI defending has finally been scaled back. Title Update 1.2.0 reduces how tightly defenders mark attackers and improves defensive logic across several situations. While these are welcome changes, one key frustration remains untouched: goalkeeper movement, which many players feel is still too powerful despite clear community feedback.
The update is expected to be released today.
AI Defending Finally Dialed Back
The biggest headline from this update is the change to AI defending. Defenders will now give attackers slightly more space on the edge of the box, making one-on-one situations feel more human and less automated. Defensive man-marking during short corners has also been refined to avoid awkward or overly tight positioning.
This should open up gameplay, especially for players who rely on creative buildup rather than pure pace or physicality. The community has long complained that defensive AI made breaking down compact formations too difficult, so this change could help return the balance between attack and defense.
Goalkeeper Movement Still Overpowered
One area that remains untouched is manual goalkeeper movement. Despite EA conducting a recent player poll that showed overwhelming support for a nerf, the mechanic stays as it is. Many players argue that it allows keepers to cover both corners unrealistically and can completely negate well-placed shots.
The omission of any goalkeeper movement adjustment has sparked frustration online, as players feel EA has acknowledged the issue without acting on it.
Other Gameplay Tweaks
Beyond defending, several smaller gameplay improvements have been implemented. Acrobatic shots are now less accurate when performed right after a flick, through passes and crosses should better match input direction, and attacking AI will now make more frequent runs into the box. Goalkeeper logic has also been improved in specific areas like cross-catching, diving decisions, and far-post saves.
Mode-Specific Updates
In Ultimate Team, players can now view available Evolutions directly from a player’s action menu, while multiple bugs with menus and walkout logic have been fixed.
Clubs mode gets improved matchmaking, position assignment fixes, and a new visual option to reduce player indicators.
Career Mode adds visible injury duration banners, saves default kits, and improves contract and transfer logic.
Visual and Stability Fixes
EA also refreshed faces, kits, stadium props, and various UI elements. PC and Switch 2 users benefit from extra performance and stability fixes.
The Verdict
Patch 1.2.0 delivers long-requested improvements to defending and general gameplay responsiveness, which could make FC 26 feel more balanced again. Still, the lack of goalkeeper movement adjustments stands out as the biggest miss in an otherwise solid update, but we will of course have to see, when the update drops to get the full overview. The update is expected to be released today (11th of November).
Full List of FC 26 Title Update 1.2.0 Changes
Gameplay
- Reduced accuracy of acrobatic shots after flicks
- Increased frequency of AI attacking runs into the box
- Fixed strikers not supporting counterattacks after passing
- Stopped wingers from dropping too deep during attacks
- Improved through passes and crosses to better match aim input
- Reduced tightness of AI defender marking on the edge of the box
- Improved man-marking during short corners
- Fixed goalkeepers punching instead of catching crosses
- Better goalkeeper logic for diving near dribblers
- Reduced overcommits on far-post shots
- Fixed remapped controls for goalkeepers and related UI issues
- Fixed CPU goalkeepers taking unnecessary touches
- Improved player indicator display and player switching accuracy
- Fixed unintended sliding and deflected shot behaviors
- Improved referee foul logic and directed runs
- Fixed unintended headers on back passes
- Fixed responsiveness issues during animations
- Fixed airball player switching issues
- Fixed movement issues after deflections
- Fixed unintended shielding distances
Ultimate Team
- Added “View Available Evolutions” for selected player items
- Fixed Claim All bug removing favorite objective groups
- Updated pack opening logic for correct walkouts
- Fixed overlapping UI text in Evolutions and Objectives
- Fixed Squad Battles leaderboard display issues
- Fixed visual issues in Rush matches and Draft modes
- Fixed unresponsive buttons after Moments
- Fixed missing indicators on post-match screens
- Fixed added time display and other scoreboard bugs
- Fixed Transfer Market filter visuals
- Fixed incorrect display in Evolution progress menus
Clubs
- Revised Rush introduction for goalkeeper archetypes
- Added setting to reduce on-screen indicators
- Fixed AI goalkeepers ignoring penalties
- Fixed position assignment and lobby joining errors
- Fixed incorrect attribute visuals and customization saving
- Fixed matchmaking and scoreboard display bugs
- Fixed issues with unlocking archetypes and starting matches
Career Mode
- Added injury duration and severity banners
- Added ability to save default kits
- Improved transfer, contract, and simulation logic
- Fixed clean sheet and player stat bugs
- Fixed incorrect player club listings and exaggerated created faces
- Fixed missing player widgets and social story errors
General, Audio, and Visual
- Updated Season Pass and reward preview UI
- Improved resolution display, item icons, and SP requirements
- Updated player faces, kits, stadiums, banners, audio, commentary, and cinematics
- Fixed placeholder text and incorrect camera angles
- Fixed Playtime message and FC Hub display bugs
- Improved overall stability and mid-match visual settings
Platform Specific
- PC: Fixed stability issues and improved performance
- Switch 2: Fixed Joy-Con tutorial and visual settings display
