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.

The Esports World Cup 2025 has wrapped up after eight weeks of top-tier competition, and no organisation came out bigger than Saudi Arabia’s own Team Falcons. Playing on home soil in Riyadh, the Falcons locked in first place in the Club Championship, collecting a staggering $7 million prize and stamping their mark across the esports landscape.

They’ve defined being “locked in” 🔒 @TeamFalconsGG secure first place in the Club Championship 🦅 pic.twitter.com/c0NEpbw4rL

— Esports World Cup (@EWC_EN) August 21, 2025

Their run was nothing short of overwhelming. Falcons competed in 21 of the 25 events this year, finishing at the top of the leaderboards in Free Fire and Call of Duty: Warzone, with Tekken 8 star Atif “ATIF” Ijaz also turning heads. Add in strong results across Rocket League, Apex Legends, and Mobile Legends: Bang Bang, and the Falcons left rivals like Team Liquid in the dust.

“They bought every team”

While the trophy shines brightly in Riyadh, the reaction online has been far more mixed. Many fans accused Falcons of winning by default, pointing out that they’ve bought into almost every esport on the EWC stage.

“125 rosters and stress until the end, let’s realise the almost pathetic performance,” one user wrote, while another posted the now-viral line:

“We bought a team in every esport that not every org has, so we win by default.”

The perception that Falcons simply spent their way to the top has become the defining talking point of this year’s EWC. For some, it’s proof of Saudi Arabia’s growing power in the esports world. For others, it’s the very definition of pay-to-win.

This org and tournament are a disgrace to E-sports. pic.twitter.com/Uen3J0iHeL

— Mason Low (@u4ryaa) August 21, 2025

The NPC fan debate

Adding to the firestorm was a viral clip from Team Spirit’s CS2 captain Leonid “chopper” Vishnyakov, who joked that Falcons’ supporters were just “300 hired workers” told to chant in the stands.

What might have been throwaway banter quickly blew up. Falcons fans, especially in the Arab community, saw it as a serious insult, and chopper’s socials were flooded with backlash. Event staff even asked him to delete the video, and reports claim he may need private security while in Riyadh.

Meanwhile, esports Twitter had a field day, with memes comparing Falcons’ fan section to NPC crowds from EA Sports FC.

Is it me, or do the Falcons fans look like EAFC NPC’s? pic.twitter.com/oSZKTzYX9Z

— CS2-Universe (@CS2Universe) August 21, 2025

Overshadowing the players

Another sore point among fans was the lack of recognition for individual champions. While Falcons as an organisation grabbed the headlines, players like the Street Fighter champion who battled his way to victory barely got mentioned.

You’re still being disrespectful to the Street Fighter player who won. You’d rather say that Falcons won the EWC than give credit to the player’s victory. Bunch of hypocrites.

— Léopold 🔥❄️ (@FlamingFrost_) August 21, 2025

It’s a reminder that behind the Falcons brand, real players are grinding, competing, and putting in the work, something the pay-to-win narrative can sometimes overshadow.

Pride at home, scepticism abroad

Still, for Falcons and their CEO Mossad “Msdossary” Al-Dossary, the Club Championship means more than outside criticism. After clinching the title, he said through tears:

“We promised ourselves that we wanted this trophy to stay at home. Now, finally, we can say it’s home. This is for all the Saudi people. It remains in Saudi.”

That emotional moment highlights the divide: inside Riyadh, Falcons are heroes bringing pride to the region. Outside of it, many still see them as proof that money can buy trophies.

The bigger picture

With two EWC Club Championships in a row and an unrivalled presence across nearly every esport, Team Falcons aren’t going anywhere. Whether you see them as trailblazers or just the ultimate pay-to-win org, they’ve changed the way the esports world looks at competition.

The real question now: will other organisations follow their model, or will the backlash eventually force a rethink on how esports’ biggest prizes are decided?

The post Team Falcons Take EWC 2025 Club Championship After Pay to Win Spending Spree Across Esports appeared first on Shane the Gamer.