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EA Sports FC 26 celebrates World Cup season with free trials, Game Pass launch, and more

To celebrate the World Cup period, EA Sports FC 26 is receiving a massive promotional push. Nintendo has launched a free-to-play window for Switch players, Microsoft has added the game to Xbox Game Pass, and digital storefronts have dropped the title to its lowest historical price with a massive discount.

EA Sports FC 26 celebrates World Cup
EA Sports FC 26 celebrates World Cup

While EA Sports FC 26 does not feature the official FIFA World Cup branding due to the conclusion of the partnership between EA and FIFA, the game is heavily leaning into the football season with unlicensed themed events, fully licensed kits, and official national teams.

Free access and subscription updates across platforms

Gamers across various ecosystems have multiple ways to access the full game for free or through subscription services this month:

  • Nintendo Switch & Switch 2: Nintendo announced a special event allowing users to download and play the complete game for free from June 18 to June 24. All saved progress will carry over if players choose to buy the game later.
  • Xbox Game Pass: Microsoft integrated EA Sports FC 26 into the Game Pass library starting Thursday, June 18, allowing subscribers to download and play the game normally.
  • PlayStation Plus: The game was previously available for PlayStation Plus Essential subscribers during the month of May, but that redemption window has officially closed.

Historic Sale: For those looking to permanently own the title, digital storefronts have slashed prices by up to 80%. This marks the lowest price for EA Sports FC 26 since its launch. End dates for the sale vary depending on the specific platform store.

“The world’s game” update and tournament mode

The World Cup atmosphere is driven by “The World’s Game” content update, which originally rolled out on May 28, followed by a major game mode launch on June 4.

Tournament structure

The update introduces an authentic international tournament mode featuring:

  • 48 Teams: A tournament structure replicating the real-world format.
  • 53 National Teams: Fully licensed squads, including 41 that are actively competing this summer.
  • The Progression: A 3-game group stage leading into a single-elimination knockout phase starting with the top 32 teams, culminating in the grand final.

New Venues

Three stadiums have been added to the game to capture the international football atmosphere:

  • Gillette Stadium
  • BMO Field
  • Central Maw (a stadium created specifically for this update)

Promotion summary sheet

Platform / ServicePromotion TypeAvailability Window
Nintendo Switch / Switch 2Full Game Free TrialJune 18 – June 24
Xbox Game PassAdded to Subscription LibraryAvailable now (Started June 18)
PlayStation Plus EssentialMonthly Free Game ClaimClosed (Ended in May)
All Digital Stores (PS/Xbox/PC/Switch)Up to 80% OFF (Historical Low)Limited Time (Varies by store)

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