National teams can also be coached in FM26 next year. In addition, a partnership with FIFA will enable the implementation of the 2026 World Cup.
Sports Interactive, the studio behind Football Manager, and FIFA have agreed on a “multi-year partnership.” As the developer announced on Friday, the first collaboration with the world governing body will take the authenticity of the game to a new level—including licenses for the Men’s World Cup, Women’s World Cup, and Club World Cup. Specifically, it has already been confirmed that the 2026 World Cup in Canada, Mexico, and the US will find its way into FM26. But the 2027 Women’s World Cup finals and future editions of the 2025 Club World Cup are also set to be integrated into the simulation and authentically represented. This includes match day graphics as well as the real jerseys of the participants.
Not just the World Cup: national coaches welcome
Sports Interactive’s announcement goes beyond FIFA competitions. From next year, it will be possible to take over national teams not only in official competitions. This option’s implementation was uncertain until recently, as international management will be suspended for the time being.
“With the World Cup year approaching, it was important to revamp international management and turn it into a module with many more features for our players,” said Miles Jacobson, director of Sports Interactive. For him, the collaboration with FIFA is “an honor”: “The announcement of this partnership with FIFA is an incredibly historic moment for the studio.”
In line with the internal importance of the deal, Jacobson wants to get the most out of it. “This is just the beginning of our collaboration. There will be more to come in 2026 and beyond,” he has already announced.