First-Ever License Brings FIFA World Cup 2026™ to the Game
May 27, 2026 – SEGA is excited to announce that International Management has been released today in Football Manager 26.
This update brings unprecedented realism to the pitch with our first-ever FIFA licensing agreement, letting you dive straight into the FIFA World Cup 2026™—the world’s largest footballing event—hosted by the USA, Canada, and Mexico this summer.
You’ll also be able to manage women’s national teams for the first time in FM history. New tools and updates give you a leg up as you take on the world.
Charge Straight into the Action
This update includes a new quick start option that lets you jump right to FIFA World Cup 2026™ after starting the game*. Kick off your campaign before the tournament begins, giving you two final friendlies to assess the team and select your 26-player squad ahead of the summer.
In a June update, we’ll release an additional start time, putting you right before your first World Cup match.
You can still manage national teams and clubs simultaneously in FM26, including with the FIFA World Cup 2026™ specific start dates.
*If you opt to begin in May or June, the season will automatically progress up to your selected start date.
Officially Licensed Assets
FIFA World Cup 2026™ licensed assets elevate your in-game experience throughout the competition.
We’ve upped the tournament feel with a newly added bespoke header in the Portal and a themed background as you navigate your pre-match preparations.
During matches, you’ll discover new cutscenes, broadcast graphics, team sheets, kits**, and the official Adidas Trionda match ball. And to capture all your glory the moment you’re crowned world champ, you’ll see your captain lift the FIFA World Cup 2026™ Trophy in a new, authentic trophy lift sequence.
*At the initial launch of this feature, 47 qualified nations for FIFA World Cup 2026™ will be playable. We will provide further updates should this change in the future.
**While we previously indicated that official kits would be included as part of the International Management feature, licensing approvals are still ongoing. As a result, not all FIFA World Cup 2026™ team kits will be available upon launch of the feature, and some may be added at a later date.
Revamped Squad Building and Selection
Inspired by insights from pro managers, we’ve reworked the squad registration flow to be more intuitive.
You’ll discover a new Provisional Squad selection system, allowing you to call-up an array of players before whittling down to your final squad for your next friendly or title tilt. The Squad Planner is now better embedded in the selection process, letting you pick your Provisional Squad directly from your planner.
We’ve also brought significant improvements to the National Pool and National Shortlist. The National Pool is now one of the main headers used in the top navigation bar, and the refreshed National Shortlist now provides a clear indication of each player’s recent club form.
Alongside that, there’s a column clearly outlining players’ international expectations, opening the door for new interactions with your players, including letting them know their eligibility for the national team.
To help you look for dual nationals likely to be called up or exciting young players for your nation’s future, we’ve added Scouting Focuses. Your national team scouts will look at identifying players outside of your existing list to bolster your options.
New Tools for Claiming Global Glory
In addition to Squad Selection and Squad Building, we’ve given you a number of new tools to give you the upper hand in matches.
Before every match, you’ll be prompted to select Match Preparation training focuses, letting you set specific In Possession, Out of Possession, and Set Piece priorities to gain an edge on the
opposition.
We’ve made several changes to player condition to ensure that players recover better during the tournament, so they’re able to play more consecutive international matches. You’re also able to recruit Set Piece Coaches for your national teams. To give you the full picture, the Data Hub now provides you with team-level data for national teams.