Every year, EA Sports FC promises refinements that will make the game feel more realistic, more responsive, and more exciting to play. With FC 26, fans were hoping for a meaningful leap forward. Instead, what we got is another release that suffers from the exact same flaws that frustrated players in previous editions.

The biggest offender? Defenders that seem programmed to sabotage your match.

AI Defenders Run Away From the Ball

One of the most-discussed posts on the EA Sports FC subreddit shows defenders doing something baffling: instead of marking players or tracking the ball, they run in the opposite direction. This happens far too often, and it doesn’t make sense in the context of professional football. No player at this level would ever abandon the ball or leave a runner completely free — yet in FC 26, it happens regularly.

For Career Mode and Ultimate Team players, this is infuriating. On higher difficulties like Legendary, one moment of broken AI logic can cost you a game. As one fan put it bluntly: “Made me stop playing career on legendary, because stupid things like that make a massive difference.”

Why the Problem Persists

Some believe it’s related to defenders retreating to preset positions, especially fullbacks. Others chalk it up to long-standing programming flaws in EA’s defensive AI. But the truth is nobody knows for sure — and EA hasn’t provided answers. What’s even more frustrating is that these issues almost never happen when AI controls both sides, making it feel like the game is stacked against human players.

EA hasn’t officially acknowledged the issue in FC 26, which means it’s unlikely we’ll see a patch anytime soon. The reality of annual releases is that deeper systemic issues don’t always get fixed. Developers focus on new content and minor upgrades, leaving long-term problems unsolved.

Incremental Improvements, Same Core Issues

To give credit where it’s due, EA Sports FC 26 does bring small improvements. Animations are smoother, dribbling feels more responsive, and the overall presentation is more authentic. But these changes can’t outweigh the frustration when defenders abandon their duties mid-match.

For many fans, it feels like EA is caught in a rinse-and-repeat cycle: fix one issue, break another, and leave certain problems untouched. That cycle makes it hard for FC 26 to feel like the true next step fans are waiting for.

How Players Can Adapt

Despite the defensive AI flaws, the game can still be enjoyable — especially if you find ways to work around its quirks. Whether you’re grinding Ultimate Team or exploring Career Mode, progress is still rewarding. And if you want to get ahead faster, one option is to Buy FUT 26 Account to skip the slow grind and jump straight into competitive play.

It may not solve the AI problem, but it does let you focus more on gameplay and less on building from scratch. Many competitive players are already choosing this path to stay ahead of the curve.

Conclusion

EA Sports FC 26 offers incremental improvements but fails to address one of the franchise’s most glaring issues. Broken defensive AI continues to frustrate players, undermining what could otherwise be an excellent football experience.

The soundtrack, new stadiums, and refined animations are nice additions, but until EA commits to fixing its AI logic, fans may continue to feel let down. If you’re planning to jump in regardless, consider ways to maximize your fun — whether that’s adjusting your tactics or choosing to Buy Cheap FIFA 26 Account to give yourself an early advantage.