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FC 27 vs FC 26: Every Gameplay Change

Every gameplay change from FC 26 to FC 27 in one place, with a guide for each.

Pro Clubs HQ

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Updated — from EA's FC 27 gameplay and Career Mode deep dives

EA's theme for FC 27 is less automation and more control in your hands. AI defenders stop tackling for you, corners give you the box before the ball arrives, runs and through passes do what you tell them and no more, and ten PlayStyles lost some of their edge over plain attributes. Here is every gameplay change from FC 26 to FC 27, with a link to the full guide for each.

Competitive and Authentic gameplay

FC 27 keeps two gameplay tunings. Competitive is the tuning for competitive online play, and most of the changes below are for it. Authentic is the tuning for Career Mode, and EA tuned it separately (Authentic Gameplay 2.0, further down). Both are from EA's own deep dives: gameplay and Career Mode.

Defending

AI defenders no longer try to tackle on their own; they hold position until you take control. Their interception reach is shorter than a defender you control. Your jockey is faster and your stand tackle reaches further than in FC 26, and Teammate Contain stands off a little more. How to defend in FC 27 has every defending input.

Corners, crossing and headers

After aiming a direct corner you get a short window to control your attackers in the box, with a new Avoidance move to slip through the crowd. Players no longer run themselves to the ball. Crosses go into space more often, aim and power decide where they land, and clean headers are rarer but more accurate. FC 27 corners explains the window and Avoidance.

Runs and passing

Two new runs: Triggered Curved Runs bend into space around defenders, and Pass & Follow sends the passer after the ball on a curved run. Triggered runs now stop after a limited distance unless you trigger them again. Through passes follow your aim exactly instead of being steered into open lanes, and dinked passes are fully manual. FC 27 curved runs shows every run input.

Off-balance dribbling

New in FC 27: dribblers with high enough Balance, Agility and Dribbling can ride a bump or a shoulder challenge. They stumble but you keep control and can push the ball on in the direction you choose. It is only on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PC and Nintendo Switch 2.

PlayStyles

Ten PlayStyles changed, all toward a smaller gap between having the PlayStyle and relying on attributes: Finesse Shot, Low Driven, Rapid, Quick Step, Technical, Pinged Pass, Tiki Taka, Intercept, Jockey and Precision Header. Every PlayStyle nerf and buff is listed with what it does now.

Controls

Thirteen new skill moves, new celebrations, set-play tactics for free kicks and corners on D-pad up, and new throw-in controls. The full computed list is in what changed in FC 27's controls, and every input is animated in FC 27 controls.

Authentic Gameplay 2.0 (Career Mode)

  • Heavier movement. Touches, turns and sprints feel weightier and more deliberate, especially under pressure.
  • Smarter, more varied CPU teams. More distinct playing styles and a wider range of tactics.
  • Weather. In wet or snowy matches players can lose their footing on sharp turns.
  • Physical play. Shoulder challenges hit harder, aerial duels are more contested, players stumble more after contact, and CPU players commit more fouls, so set pieces matter more.
  • Sliders. 25 new gameplay sliders and 10 new CPU sliders, with CPU sliders split into CPU Opponent and CPU Teammate. That split helps most in modes where you control one player, such as Player Career.

Everything new in FC 27 Career Mode covers the rest of the mode.

More FC 27 guides

Play FC 27 better

  • How to defend — Jockey, tackle and contain now that AI defenders no longer tackle for you.
  • Corners and Avoidance — The new box control before the delivery, and how Avoidance works.
  • Free kicks and penalties — Every free-kick and penalty input, animated.
  • Every shot type — Every finishing move with its input, and what changed for finesse and low driven shots.
  • Curved runs — Triggered curved runs, pass and follow, and why runs now stop.

Frequently asked questions

What is the biggest gameplay change in FC 27?

Defending. In Competitive gameplay, AI defenders no longer try to win the ball on their own; you switch, jockey and tackle yourself.

Is FC 27 gameplay different from FC 26?

Yes. Defending, corners, crossing, headers, triggered runs, through and dinked passes and ten PlayStyles all changed, and off-balance dribbling is new. Career Mode also got Authentic Gameplay 2.0.

What is off-balance dribbling in FC 27?

A new animation for dribblers with high Balance, Agility and Dribbling: when they are bumped or shoulder-challenged they stumble but stay in control. It is only on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PC and Nintendo Switch 2.

What is the difference between Competitive and Authentic gameplay in FC 27?

Competitive is the tuning for competitive online play and gets most of the FC 27 changes, such as the end of AI auto-tackles. Authentic is the Career Mode tuning, with its own changes: heavier movement, weather, more fouls and new sliders.