Home / Sports / EA FC 26 v1.1 Update to Enhance Defending and Kick-Off Positioning by October 2025
EA FC 26 v1.1 Update to Enhance Defending and Kick-Off Positioning by October 2025
18 Oct
Summary
- Improved jockeying and manual defending to balance attacking and defending
- Aggressive man-marking during kick-offs to prevent easy scoring
- Ongoing PC optimization efforts to address online gameplay issues

In the upcoming EA FC 26 v1.1 update, scheduled for release in the final week of October 2025, the developers are set to introduce a range of improvements to the game's core mechanics.
One of the key focus areas is the enhancement of defending, with the developers promising to address issues with jockeying and manual defending. The update will improve the responsiveness of jockeying and enhance the overall manual defending experience, aiming to strike a better balance between attacking and defending.
Another significant change is the implementation of more aggressive man-marking during kick-offs. The developers have acknowledged the community's concerns about the ease of scoring from kick-offs and will be addressing this by optimizing the AI's defensive positioning, ensuring that defensive players do not leave too much space for opposing attackers.
Additionally, the update will bring some much-needed PC optimization improvements. Many players have reported issues during online matches, with the PC hardware struggling to keep up with the demanding performance requirements of online play. While the developers state that some of these issues may persist, they are committed to continuing their efforts to optimize the PC version of the game through future updates, including the EA FC 26 v1.1 release.
Overall, the EA FC 26 v1.1 update promises to enhance the overall gameplay experience, with a focus on improving defending, kick-off positioning, and PC optimization. These changes are expected to make matches more competitive and engaging for the community.