Football Manager and FIFA Announce Major Multi-Year Partnership

A significant multi-year collaboration has been forged between the renowned Football Manager game franchise, developed by Sports Interactive, and FIFA, the international governing body for football. This strategic alliance is set to revolutionize the gaming experience by incorporating official licenses for various FIFA tournaments directly into the Football Manager series. Commencing with FM26, this partnership promises to deliver an unparalleled level of authenticity, featuring fully branded competitions such as the forthcoming FIFA World Cup 26, the Women's World Cup, and the Club World Cup. Gamers can anticipate a more immersive management simulation, enriched with real-world elements and official branding.

The long-standing Football Manager series, celebrated for its intricate football simulation, is now poised for an even deeper integration with the real-world football ecosystem. The newly established partnership with FIFA is a landmark agreement that will bring a wealth of official content to the game. This means that future iterations, particularly FM26, will showcase accurately branded FIFA competitions, elevating the gaming experience for enthusiasts globally. The inclusion of major tournaments like the FIFA World Cup 26, which is scheduled to take place in Canada, Mexico, and the USA, alongside the Women's World Cup and Club World Cup, signifies a major enhancement in the game's realism.

A key aspect of this collaboration involves the detailed representation of these prestigious events within the game. From the official kits of all 48 participating teams in the FIFA World Cup 26 to authentic broadcast graphics and tournament branding, players will be able to manage their teams through meticulously recreated scenarios. This level of detail aims to provide a true-to-life managerial challenge, allowing players to immerse themselves in the strategic intricacies of international football.

Furthermore, this licensing agreement will coincide with the introduction of a significantly overhauled international management module. This revamped feature is expected to be rolled out as a content update for FM26 and FM26 Touch in the coming year, preceding the World Cup. The update will provide managers with more comprehensive tools and options for handling national teams, adding another layer of depth to the strategic gameplay. Notably, FM26 Touch is slated for a digital release on Nintendo Switch on December 4, 2025, offering a portable version of this enhanced experience.

This partnership comes after the earlier cancellation of Football Manager 25, signaling a renewed strategic direction for the franchise. It also follows the conclusion of a long-term collaboration between FIFA and EA, highlighting FIFA's evolving approach to its digital presence and partnerships within the gaming industry. The integration of official FIFA elements into Football Manager is expected to solidify the series' position as a leading football management simulation, offering fans an even more authentic and engaging journey into the world of professional football.

In essence, the alliance between the Football Manager series and FIFA marks a pivotal moment for football simulation games. By incorporating official competition branding, kits, and a refined international management system, the partnership promises to deliver an exceptionally authentic and comprehensive gaming experience. This development ensures that players will have the opportunity to engage with the world's most prominent football tournaments in an unprecedentedly realistic manner, solidifying Football Manager's reputation as a premier football management simulator.