The report says “The World’s Game Update” will feature 12 groups of four, followed by five knockout stages from the last 32 through to the final. The format mirrors the expanded World Cup structure while offering a playable version inside FC 26.
The reported tournament includes 53 licensed national teams, including 41 of the 48 countries expected at the real competition. Selected stadiums linked to the tournament are also said to feature, adding visual context to the international setting.
Career Mode will reportedly use the same structure, with live starting points available shortly before and during the tournament. That gives the mode a stronger connection to the real football calendar.
Ultimate Team is also receiving a sizeable national-team refresh, built around themed campaigns, new players and a token-based progression system.
The Journey of Nations programme is said to include more than 250 challenges, encouraging squads built around national teams from five continents. A limited-time penalty shootout mode adds another short-form activity during the campaign.
The update’s appeal is clear: it recreates the scale and rhythm of a major international tournament across multiple modes. But the absence of the licence remains significant. FC 26 appears to be building its own branded interpretation, relying on licensed teams, stadiums and gameplay structure rather than official tournament identity.
The next storyline will be whether the live Career Mode starts and weekly Ultimate Team content can sustain interest throughout the international football cycle.