FC 26 CONTROLLER SETTINGS

If you want to adjust FC 26 controller settings, follow these steps:

1. From the main FC screen, navigate to [Settings];
2. Select [Game Settings];
3. Navigate through each setting and change them as you wish.

You can take a shot by pressing the shooting button, initiating the animation. If you don’t press anything else and aren’t interrupted, your player will attempt to shoot. Timed Finishing allows you to press the button a second time for a potentially better shot.

With Timed Finishing enabled, double-tapping the shooting button during the animation influences the shot’s outcome. Press the button again just as your player is about to strike the ball.

A well-timed second press increases accuracy and power for regular shots, while finesse shots gain accuracy and curve but not power. These benefits also apply to flair shots. However, pressing too early or late can send the shot off target.

If the second press is extremely early, the shot will likely miss. Pressing after the ball is struck has no effect, and the shot proceeds as normal.

Disabling Timed Finishing removes this mechanic, but you lose the chance to enhance your shots.

The mandatory Competitive Settings changed by the Competitive Master Switch are:

• Contextual Agile Dribbling: Off;
• Auto Clearances: Off;
• Auto Flair Pass: Off;
• Auto Shots: Off;
• Assisted Headers: Off;
• Jockey: Manual;
• Through Pass Assistance: Semi.

There are two options for the Next Player Switch Indicator: On (default) and Off. When set to On, you will see an icon above the player you will switch to if you use the default player switching button (L1 on PlayStation and LB on Xbox). The icon provides information about your next player switch. On the other hand, when set to Off, you will not see an icon when you perform a switch with the appropriate button. This feature was previously known as the ‘Second Defender Switch Icon’.

When enabled, your controlled player will occasionally attempt automatic blocks or interceptions within their reach. In some cases, AI teammates may also try to block or intercept passes. This setting balances risk and reward—while it increases the chances of automatic defensive actions, it also raises the likelihood of missed blocks, which could lead to dangerous situations. If you prefer more manual control over defensive actions, turning it Off may be a better choice.

When disabled, you must manually perform tackles or blocks to interfere with passes. AI teammates will still attempt interceptions based on the game context. While disabling Pass Block Assistance offers greater control, it also demands more precise defensive timing.

Auto Switching selects the most suitable player based on positioning and ball control needs.

Air Ball and Loose Ball Auto Switching activate when the ball is at least 8 feet in the air. In these situations, the game may switch control to the best-positioned player to intercept or contest the ball, such as when a defender deflects its trajectory.

Setting Auto Switching to Auto allows the game to consistently switch to the optimal player in different scenarios. However, manual switching via the right stick or player switch button remains available.

Choosing the Manual option disables Auto Switching entirely, requiring full player selection control.

Auto Switch Move Assistance allows the newly Auto Switched player to briefly continue their current movement. For example, if switched to a player running right, they will maintain that direction momentarily. The duration of this assistance varies with Low and High settings, while None disables it entirely.

This setting does not affect manual player switching. If Auto Switching is set to manual and Move Assistance is on High, it won’t apply. When manually switching players, movement continues based on momentum – such as a sprinting player needing time to slow down – separate from Auto Switch Move Assistance.

In the Assisted mode, when you Jockey with a player, they will attempt to slow down if there’s a risk of running past the attacker. This assistance aids in maintaining closer proximity to the player you’re marking. In the provided example, the defender is engaged in Fast Jockeying (Sprinting + Jockeying), and the assist helps in decelerating the player appropriately.

Conversely, with Manual Jockeying, there is no assistance in adjusting your player’s speed; the control is entirely in your hands. In the example where Jockey Assistance is set to Manual, and the defender is Fast Jockeying (Sprinting + Jockeying), you can observe how the player veers off course due to the sprint, highlighting the absence of automatic speed adjustments.

Agile Dribbling offers precise ball control, inspired by elite dribblers. It allows players to quickly shift the ball side to side, helping them evade defenders. With fast footwork, dribblers can create space and lure opponents into mistimed tackles.

To ensure fairness in competitive modes across Football Club, playing with Manual Heading is mandatory in the following modes:

• All UT modes, including UT Champions, Rivals and Squad Battles;
• All Clubs modes;
• FC Seasons, FC Co-Op Seasons and FC Online;
• Friendlies.

With Player Relative Right Stick Switching, your controlled player acts as the reference point for switching. Directions on the right stick revolve around this player.

In Ball Relative Right Stick Switching, the ball serves as the focal point instead. Directions are based on the ball’s position, making switches relative to its location.

Using the Assisted option, you can expect to receive help similar to regular passing. Assisted through balls avoid the opponent’s players and land neatly in the passing target’s path.

When using the Manual option, you will not receive any help. Like with regular passing, your player will attempt to execute your inputs to the best of their ability.

In Assisted mode, shots automatically aim toward the opponent’s goal, making it easier to target difficult areas, even when the player isn’t facing the net. However, factors like attributes and pressure still influence the final outcome.

With Semi assistance, you must aim toward the goal, but slight directional adjustments help if your input is slightly off.

Manual mode removes all directional assistance, requiring precise aiming between the goalposts for an accurate shot.

In Assisted mode, cross-direction is heavily assisted, making it easier to target your teammate. The duration of holding the crossing button has minimal impact, and the cross is generally aimed at the front or back post.

With Semi Assisted crossing, directional assistance is available, but you control the range of the target by adjusting the duration of the cross button press. A longer hold usually sends the cross to the far post, and player attributes also affect the result.

Manual crossing offers no assistance, giving you full control over the direction and duration of the cross. While it provides the most control, it requires precise input and timing to achieve the desired result.

These options operate similarly to Passing Assistance, with the distinction that there is no “Semi” setting for lobbed passing.

In the Assisted mode, you can anticipate assistance comparable to regular passing. Assisted through balls navigate around the opponent’s players and accurately reach the intended passing target.

In the Manual mode, no assistance is provided. As with regular passing, your player endeavors to execute your inputs to the best of their ability without any additional aid.

The three Save Assistance options affect a player-controlled goalkeeper: Assisted, Semi, and Manual. These settings are only applicable when you’re controlling the goalkeeper.

In the Assisted mode, any balls approaching your body are automatically saved. For other shots, correct positioning and timing are crucial. The directional input for your save is less important, as the game may adjust your save direction, even if you aim elsewhere.

In Semi-Assisted mode, balls near your body are automatically saved, but you’ll need to ensure proper positioning, direction, and timing for other saves.

With Manual mode, only reflex saves are automatic. For all other saves, precise positioning, direction, and timing are required.

Enabling Analog Sprint requires you to press the sprinting button to maximize the controlled player’s sprint speed. If pressed halfway, the player’s sprint speed is reduced proportionally. In other words, pushing the sprint button indicates running at 100% speed, as determined by the player’s attributes. Pressing it halfway signifies running at 50% speed based on the attributes.

With Analog Sprint Off, the controlled player aims to reach maximum sprint speed regardless of how far you’ve pressed the sprint button. It’s a binary choice between sprinting at full speed or not at all.

Tactical Defending employs contemporary controls and mechanics, providing both direct and indirect control during defensive actions. This approach allows you to regulate the intensity of your challenges and utilize mechanics such as jockeying and Teammate Contain.

On the other hand, Legacy Defending adopts controls and mechanics reminiscent of older FIFA titles, offering a more traditional gaming experience. This setting is suitable for those seeking a “retro” Football Club experience. However, it’s important to note that Legacy Defending is not accessible in online play.

With the Late option enabled, you retain the flexibility to adjust your passing direction until just before kicking the ball. In essence, Late allows you to modify the pass aim until the late stages of a passing animation, providing extended control over the passing direction. While this option offers prolonged aiming control, it necessitates careful consideration to avoid unintentional changes at the last moment. If you are accustomed to earlier FIFA titles, this setting is likely more familiar. Choose Pass Receiver Lock set to Late for prolonged aiming control when making a pass.

Conversely, with the Early option enabled, your directional input locks in early during the passing animation. This implies that you cannot alter the pass aim in the final moments before making contact with the ball. While it reduces the risk of accidental changes in pass direction, it generally demands greater precision in your passing.