The Players editorial team has reviewed the plans of the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) for the development of virtual football competitions in 2026. The FIFAe strategy will continue to follow a multi-game portfolio approach.
The main focus will be on Rocket League, eFootball (console and mobile), and Football Manager.
Competition Schedule
- National Stage (January–February) — National Associations conduct domestic qualification events.
- FIFAe Nations League (March–July) — A regular season consisting of three game weeks. Based on the results, a ranking is formed that determines qualification for the Continental Playoffs.
- Continental Qualifiers (August–September) — The final stage before the World Championship, where the best regional teams compete for a limited number of slots.
The Football Manager tournament will be held separately and will be club-oriented, featuring 16 participants. Associations will organize competitions among football clubs in their countries, with winners competing at the FIFAe Club World Cup.
For the fourth consecutive year, the FIFAe Finals will be hosted by Saudi Arabia.
Regarding national teams, they will receive an unprecedented level of freedom and tools to develop local ecosystems. From now on, associations become the main architects of their national teams, gaining flexibility in choosing disciplines and forming rosters. National Associations are not required to participate in all disciplines.
To take part in the 2026 season, associations must sign a Participation Agreement.
Deadline: January 30, 2026.
To maintain competitiveness throughout the year, the concept of an “Extended National Team” is being introduced. Associations may include up to 10 players in the extended roster during national program periods. Before each FIFAe Nations League game week, an association submits a lineup of 6 players, which can be changed weekly. The final roster must only be confirmed before the start of the Continental Championships.
As a reminder, Team Vitalityhas signed a 16-year-old Tekken star.