Top EA Sports FC 26 professionals believe the game leans toward pay to win at the start of its lifecycle, though they argue raw skill and discipline still separate the very best players in the long run.

Speaking in a recent interview with EsportsNewsUK, pro players Nicolas99fc and HHezerS shared their thoughts on FC 26’s early meta, patch direction, and what keeps them competitive at the highest level of the esport.

Why FC 26 Feels Pay to Win at Launch

According to Nicolas99fc, the early weeks of FC 26 heavily favour players willing, or able, to spend money. With limited access to top-tier cards at launch, competitive advantages can stack quickly for pros who invest early.

He explained that while this creates fewer opportunities for talented players with smaller budgets, it does not ultimately change who sits at the top of the competitive scene. Even in a more free to play environment, Nicolas99fc believes the same elite players would rise over time.

Campeón de la eChampions League!!

No se ni que poner, SOY EL TIPO CON MÁS HUEVOS DE ESTE JUEGUITO pic.twitter.com/jJXSaTOlnr

— nicolas99fc (@Nicolas99fc) May 27, 2022

However, he added that a more accessible system could help uncover new talent, especially during the opening months of the game’s lifespan.

Adapting to a New FC Title Every Year

Both players agreed that adjusting to a new FC game is always one of the biggest challenges. Nicolas99fc noted that each release forces players to relearn mechanics and refine how they approach competition, while HHezerS highlighted the personal side of that adaptation.

For top professionals, staying motivated comes down to discipline, consistency, and hunger. The grind, they say, never really stops, even for established names.

Exciting things ahead ⚽️🇮🇹

Our own @HHezerS7 is now on loan to @HellasVeronaFC 🔥#GONINJAS pic.twitter.com/STn3ECHDxz

— Ninjas In Pyjamas (@NIP) November 27, 2025

Patch Direction and the Competitive Meta

While both players praised FC 26 at launch, concerns have grown as stronger cards entered the ecosystem. HHezerS described the early version of the game as close to perfection, pointing to fewer random bounces and a clearer skill gap.

As updates rolled out, both players felt that rebounds and unpredictable moments became more common, something that can dilute competitive integrity at the highest level. Still, they acknowledged that EA has signalled improvements through Pitch Notes, suggesting adjustments are actively being worked on.

Should FC 26 Be Split for Pros and Casuals?

One of the more interesting points raised was whether FC 26 should eventually be divided into separate experiences for professional and casual players.

Nicolas99fc suggested a dedicated FC Pro mode could make sense, potentially with more manual mechanics or tighter competitive controls. While he stressed he is not a developer, he believes recent changes show EA is listening more closely to player feedback than in previous years.

A Familiar Debate for the FC Community

The discussion around pay to win mechanics is nothing new for the FC community, but hearing it directly from top professionals adds weight to the conversation. While early spending can shape the competitive landscape, both players made it clear that long term success still depends on skill, adaptability, and mindset.

The full interview with Nicolas99fc and HHezerS was originally published by EsportsNewsUK, with further insights into FC 26’s evolving esport scene.

The post FC 26 Pros Say the Game Feels Pay to Win Early, but Skill Still Decides the Top Level appeared first on Shane the Gamer.

Two of Paris’ biggest names in sport and esports are officially uniting. Team Vitality has announced a long-term partnership with PSG Esports, the gaming arm of French football powerhouse Paris Saint-Germain, to form PSG.Vitality.

Nouvelle saison, nouvelles couleurs pic.twitter.com/aZUGQinIcr

— PSG.VITALITY EAFC (@PSGVitalityEAFC) September 18, 2025

The collaboration kicks off with the 2025/26 EA Sports FC season and will see Vitality’s EA FC division rebranded under the PSG banner. The move signals a major push for both organisations as they look to dominate on the virtual pitch while showcasing Paris on the global esports stage.

Building a Parisian Powerhouse

The PSG.Vitality roster features French rising stars Ilian Bouchi and Brice Masson, who both represented Team Vitality during the EA FC 25 season. The pair will once again play together, this time wearing PSG colours, under the guidance of head coach Johann “ManiiKa” Simon.

At just 20 years old, Bouchi has already made his mark, winning Rookie of the Year at the 2024 eLigue 1 Awards before being crowned MVP in 2025. His teammate Masson, 21, is known for his tactical playstyle and mental resilience, finishing as runner-up at the 2025 Esports World Cup. Together, they’ve become one of the most exciting duos on the EA FC scene.

Leading them is ManiiKa, a PSG Esports legend turned coach who brings invaluable experience from his own career, including wins at the eLigue 1 and DreamHack back in 2017. His transition into coaching gives the team both strategic depth and a wealth of competitive insight.

Aiming for Titles

PSG.Vitality enters the new season with clear ambitions: winning the eLigue 1 in 2026 and breaking into the top eight at major international tournaments. Their first challenge will be the FC Pro Open, which begins with the ladder on September 22, before heading into qualifiers and the first Global Qualifier at DreamHack Atlanta from October 31 to November 2.

The squad will train at PSG’s dedicated esports facility, mixing bootcamps with structured home training. Support from Paris Saint-Germain’s staff will also play a key role in ensuring players are fully prepared for the rigours of the season.

A Historic Partnership

For PSG, this marks another big step in its near-decade-long esports journey. Since first entering the scene in 2016, the club has invested heavily in gaming, from League of Legends partnerships to FIFA and EA FC divisions. Earlier this year, PSG also renewed its League of Legends partnership with TALON Esports, showing no signs of slowing down.

Team Vitality, meanwhile, has become one of Europe’s most prominent esports organisations since its founding in 2013. The French outfit has competed in over a dozen top titles, from League of Legends to Counter-Strike 2, and recently expanded its reach into Asia with the acquisition of Bigetron Esports. In July, it also signed a seven-figure sponsorship with online betting platform Stake, cementing its position as one of the fastest-growing names in esports.

Looking Ahead

The PSG.Vitality partnership represents more than just a name change. Both clubs see it as a long-term project, one that blends PSG’s global sports brand with Vitality’s esports expertise. Co-branded projects such as merchandising, activations, and new esports initiatives are already on the horizon.

With ambition, history, and Parisian pride behind them, PSG.Vitality is setting out to become one of the most competitive teams in the EA Sports FC scene. Fans won’t have to wait long to see them in action, with the FC Pro Open kicking off this month.

The post Team Vitality and PSG Esports Join Forces to Create PSG.Vitality appeared first on Shane the Gamer.

EA Sports is going big on football esports this year, with two back-to-back tournaments landing in Shanghai this September. Fans of both FC Online and FC Mobile can look forward to the FC Pro Champions Cup and the FC Pro Mobile Festival, taking place from 9–14 September 2025 at the Jingwu Gymnasium in the Hongkou District. Together, the events will hand out a whopping total of $365,000 prize pool.

The FC Pro Champions Cup (9–12 September)

The action kicks off with the Champions Cup, the pinnacle of this year’s FC Pro circuit for both Online and Mobile.

• FC Online Champions Cup: 12 top teams, qualified through rankings and invites from the FC Pro Masters, will battle it out for a $300,000 (~£221,000) prize pool. The lineup features some heavy hitters including Gen.G, Advice E-sport, NK FC Online, ADJ, DRX, SZAJ, SONIC Gaming, Team VXIS, Dplus KIA, WOL, SevenTV, and Triple W. Teams will first face off in a group stage, split into four groups, before moving on to the single-elimination playoffs from 10–12 September.
• FC Mobile Champions Cup: Running alongside it, six players will compete for $60,000 (~£44,000), with the finals set for 11 September. The winner will walk away as Asia’s FC Mobile champion.

Last year’s FC Pro Masters in South Korea hit a peak of 673,000 viewers, making it the most-watched football esports event to date. With that kind of momentum, EA is clearly hoping Shanghai will push things even further.

“After an impressive debut for FC Mobile and FC Online esports in 2024, we’re meeting that enthusiasm with two back-to-back events that continue to raise the stakes,” said Sam Turkbas, Senior Director of Esports Product at EA.

The FC Pro Mobile Festival (13–14 September)

Once the Champions Cup wraps, the focus shifts to the FC Pro Mobile Festival, a lighter, entertainment-driven competition that brings pros and creators together.

Ten teams, each made up of one professional player and one content creator, will compete for a smaller $5,000 (~£3,690) prize pool. But it’s not just about the money, this event is more about fun, spectacle, and engaging a wider audience. Teams will start in a round-robin format on day one before the top contenders clash in single-elimination playoffs on day two.

The Festival isn’t limited to Asia either. Expect competitors from across China, Korea, Southeast Asia, MENA, Brazil, Europe, and the USA. EA is billing this as a celebration of football esports that blends high-level play with creator-led entertainment, complete with an opening ceremony.

“By reaching competitors and fans of FC Mobile and FC Online alike, we’re expanding the footprint of football esports to engage new regions and support the rise of new champions,” Turkbas added.

How to Watch

Both events will be streamed live, starting 9 September, in multiple languages. The FC Pro Mobile Festival will also be shown on the EA Sports FC Mobile YouTube channel, alongside a range of regional platforms.

EA’s Bigger Esports Push

Shanghai’s showcase comes right after EA confirmed the FC Pro 26 Global Qualifier at DreamHack Atlanta, where 256 players will compete for a share of $152,000. Clearly, EA is doubling down on building a global esports ecosystem around FC Mobile and FC Online, with regional competitions feeding into bigger international showdowns.

With the Champions Cup carrying prestige and prize money, and the Mobile Festival delivering entertainment and global flair, Shanghai is shaping up to be a milestone moment for football esports fans everywhere.

The post EA Sports Brings $365,000 FC Pro Esports Showcase to Shanghai appeared first on Shane the Gamer.

It’s official, Anders Vejrgang, the young Danish phenom and current EA FC World Champion, has signed with Team Falcons. But here’s the twist, he won’t be donning the Falcons jersey until after the Esports World Cup wraps up.

Five years. From wonderkid to legend 🐐@rblz_vejrgang will officially leave RBLZ Gaming on August 31st. He will still represent the team at the FC Pro World Championship in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia – which will be his final dance for Leipzig.

Tak, Anders! ❤️ #rblz pic.twitter.com/uC15AIfi6i

— RBLZ GAMING (@rblzgaming) August 5, 2025

Yeah, that timing has raised a few eyebrows.

Let’s break it down.

The 19-year-old, who’s been a household name in the FIFA/EA FC scene since he was 14, is set to leave RBLZ Gaming (Red Bull Leipzig’s esports team) after the FC Pro World Championship. That means for the biggest tournament of the year, happening right now as part of the Esports World Cup, he’s still repping his old squad.

Not exactly what you’d expect after a blockbuster signing, right?

Vejrgang’s been unstoppable this season. He won the FC Pro Open 2025, was runner-up in both the Virtual Bundesliga and eChampions League, and sits firmly as the world #1 in the FC Pro rankings. Oh, and let’s not forget that absurd 7–0 thrashing he handed out in last year’s World Championship final.

7-2 | 6-0 | 7-0

🎾 @rblz_vejrgang? #FCPro pic.twitter.com/GXlWx9QEZo

— RBLZ GAMING (@rblzgaming) July 13, 2024

The guy’s a machine.

So you can see why Team Falcons are buzzing. Their social posts are practically bursting with hype.

WORLD CHAMP ENERGY!! 🏆

Falcon Anders HAS LANDED 🦅⚡#FalconsAreHere pic.twitter.com/Dcam6zQ0Fy

— Falcons Esports (@FalconsEsport) August 7, 2025

And honestly? Fair enough.

But here’s where things get interesting.

The Falcons, who are gunning for back-to-back wins in the $27 million Esports World Cup Club Championship, could’ve added another potential gold medal to their tally if they had Vejrgang competing under their banner. They’ve already snagged big placements in Overwatch, Dota 2, and even Chess, but a win in EA FC could’ve widened the gap between them and Team Liquid, who are hot on their heels.

EWC 8th August Club Championship Ranking | Image via esportsworldcup.com

If Falcons had signed him before the May 31 deadline, Vejrgang might’ve counted towards their points. But since the transfer takes effect post-tournament, they’ll have to wait until EA FC 26 rolls around to see the real payoff.

That’s not to say they’re heading in empty-handed, Ahmad ‘AbuMakkah’ Mujahid is holding it down for Falcons at this year’s EA FC Championship. Plus, the org has solid roots in the scene, with founder Mossad ‘Msdossary’ Aldossary being a former FIFA World Champ himself.

Clean run to the playoffs for AbuMakkah

المهمة تمت! ⚡️ صقرنا @ahmdmujahhd يتأهل إلى الأدوار الإقصائية في كأس العالم للعبة FC 25 👑🦅

— نراكم غدًا في دور الـ16 🫡#FalconsAreHere – #EWC2025 pic.twitter.com/UUQlGmecze

— Falcons Esports (@FalconsEsport) August 7, 2025

Still, you can’t help but feel like this move is more about building for the long term.

So is this the start of a new dynasty with Falcons? Maybe. But for now, all eyes are on Vejrgang’s final dance with RBLZ. And if his past performances are anything to go by, he’s not done making headlines just yet.

The post EA FC World’s Number One Anders Vejrgang Joins Team Falcons appeared first on Shane the Gamer.

The biggest event in the EA SPORTS FC calendar is finally here. From August 7th to 10th, the FC Pro World Championship at the 2025 Esports World Cup takes centre stage in Riyadh, and with $1 million on the line, things are about to get spicy.

Image Credit: Esports World Cup

This year’s showdown isn’t just about bragging rights. It’s about legacy, pressure, club pride, and pure footy passion played out on a virtual pitch. And with a massive format upgrade and even bigger names on the bill, it’s shaping up to be the most intense EA FC event yet.

What’s New This Year?

If the name sounds unfamiliar, that’s because it is. The tournament formerly known as the EA SPORTS FC event has officially rebranded into the FC Pro World Championship, now part of the EA FC Pro Circuit. That means more money, more structure, more players, and a whole lot more at stake.

Gone are the DreamHack ties, Riyadh now plays host to the final stop of the EA FC season, and it’s all going down at the 2025 Esports World Cup.

The Format: No Second Chances

The main event kicks off August 7th with 32 of the world’s best players. They’ve been slotted into eight GSL-style double-elimination groups, lose once and you’ve still got hope, but lose twice and you’re out.

Group Stage Format | Image via esportsworldcup.com

Once group play wraps up, the top 16 advance to a brutal single-elimination bracket where every match is do-or-die. The grand final (and third-place match) will take place on August 10th, with the winner pocketing a whopping $250,000.

Names to Watch

Let’s talk favourites.

All eyes are on Danish prodigy Anders Vejrgang, currently sitting top of the FC Pro World Rankings. If you’ve followed the scene since FIFA 21, you’ll remember his insane 535-game FUT Champs win streak as a teen. These days, he’s a fully-fledged pro with the form to back it up, fresh off wins in the virtual Bundesliga and the FC Pro 25 Open.

The champ is back! 🏆@RBLZ_Vejrgang | #FCPro | #EWC pic.twitter.com/nJXmvfL0c3

— EA SPORTS FC Pro (@EASPORTSFCPro) August 6, 2025

Hot on his heels is Emre Yilmaz, who’s already won the eChampions League and could be the ace up Team Liquid’s sleeve in their push for the Club Championship title. Yilmaz joins fellow stars Levi de Weerd and ManuBachoore under Liquid’s flag — giving the org five shots at the trophy.

And then there’s João “jafonsogv” Vasconcelos, last year’s champ. He’s back again to defend his crown, but this time the field is fiercer and the stakes higher.

WORLD CHAMPION 🏆😭 pic.twitter.com/kCFe79Yt1l

— Jafonso (@jafonsogv) August 18, 2024

Other heavy hitters like Nicolas99fc, AbuMakkah, and Donovan “Tekkz” Hunt will also be chasing glory. Tekkz has racked up more silverware than most but still hasn’t nailed a World Championship. Could this be the year?

$1,000,000 Prize Pool

Players are chasing a share of $1,000,000 USD, plus Club Points that contribute to the EWC Club Championship. Here’s the breakdown.

Don’t Miss a Moment

Whether you’re watching from the couch or lucky enough to be in Riyadh, the next few days are set to deliver top-tier virtual football.

With legends returning, new stars breaking through, and a life-changing prize pool up for grabs, this year’s FC Pro World Championship is more than just a tournament, it’s where EA FC history gets written.

Get ready. Kick-off’s just around the corner.

The post EA FC Pro World Championship 2025 at Esports World Cup with $1,000,000 Prize Pool appeared first on Shane the Gamer.