Why has the recent EA FC 26 Gauntlet update sparked dissatisfaction? Casual modes are a hit with players during the World Cup!
Jun 16, 2026The kickoff of the 2026 World Cup has drawn a new wave of players to the virtual soccer game EA FC 26; the game's The World's Game mode, which simulates the World Cup format, and other related updates are well worth experiencing.
However, recent changes to other classic FUT 26 modes have been disappointing, particularly the adjustments made to Gauntlet mode. There are also reports that in-game advertisements might be introduced.
Honestly, this news could negatively impact the fresh interest the World Cup has generated for the game. So, are these reports true, and what would it look like if they were? Let's take a closer look.
What is FUT 26 Gauntlet?
This mode is one of the many ways to play Ultimate Team; it is a non-elimination tournament that primarily tests the depth and diversity of your club's squad, think of it as an upgraded version of an SBC that actually involves playing matches.
Each round of FIFA 26 Gauntlet mode requires you to complete a series of consecutive matches. For every match, you must field a completely different starting XI and set of substitutes; in other words, any player used can only appear once per Gauntlet round.
Although the squad requirements are strict, you receive basic rewards upon completing a round regardless of the match outcome.
Naturally, the more matches you win in a round, the better the rewards, such as more FC 26 coins or player cards with higher OVRs.
It is also worth noting that while a Gauntlet event spans several days, you can only participate in one round per day.
What are the recent issues with Gauntlet?
With the launch of Season 8, Gauntlet entered the new Festival of Football phase, featuring a Samuel Eto'o player card as the ultimate reward.
To obtain him, you must achieve a perfect round three times during the current phase of Gauntlet mode, a feat that requires winning five consecutive matches.
While completing this grants you not only Samuel Eto'o but also an 88+ Rare Gold Player and a 93+ Path to Glory Team 2 Players Pack, the process demands a significant investment of time and effort. In reality, unlocking most rewards in FoF Gauntlet mode relies heavily on winning.
Play-based objectives have been relegated to the bonus category, while standard objectives are exclusively competitive challenges, the exact opposite of previous iterations, where requirements like win streaks were typically reserved for bonus rewards.
This means the competitive intensity of Gauntlet mode has skyrocketed; yet, despite these grueling objectives, EA FC 26 has actually placed limits on the number of attempts allowed.
While the rewards are enticing, the immense competitive pressure can actually sap your motivation to earn them.
In the past, players of all skill levels could enjoy Gauntlet mode and earn decent rewards. However, the recent string of challenges has either offered diminished rewards or demanded extreme competitiveness, making the mode just as stifling as other Ultimate Team modes.
Is there room for Gauntlet to improve?
Interestingly, if you are familiar with the patterns of EA FC series, you might have suspected, back when the game launched and Gauntlet experience was excellent, that it would eventually be altered beyond recognition. It seems that day has finally arrived.
Regarding these unnecessary changes and the resulting player backlash, the development team responded on social media by stating that other Festival of Football events already offered plenty of accessible, low-barrier content.
Consequently, they chose to ramp up the difficulty of Gauntlet mode to cater to players who crave a competitive experience.
Regardless of whether this reasoning is convincing, it appears that the positioning of specific weekly game modes in FC 26 is not set in stone.
In other words, if the developers decide later that the game's overall competitive intensity should be lowered, Gauntlet might revert to its previous state.
However, even if adjustments based on the current FC 26 experience were necessary, Gauntlet shouldn't have been the target. It had run smoothly for six months since launch and was a mode that casual players genuinely enjoyed.
With the World Cup currently underway, FUT 26 is attracting more players, yet many have less time to dedicate to the game because they are following the real-world tournament.
The original Gauntlet mode was the perfect fit for these players, but that dynamic has now been destroyed. It must be said that unless further adjustments are made soon, FIFA 26 risks losing its player base once the novelty of The World's Game update wears off.
What's the deal with the ad integration?
Recent reports indicate that the developers of FC 26 have assembled a new advertising team to embed ads into their titles, starting with their sports games.
The official line is that dynamic ad placement will integrate advertisements with actual gameplay, aiming to enhance rather than disrupt the player experience. However, the answer to who the true beneficiary is goes without saying.
More importantly, FC 27, expected to launch in the second half of the year, will feature a new open-world mode called FC The Grounds, offering a city environment for players to explore freely.
Naturally, a city setting makes it much easier to incorporate advertisements than a standard stadium or training facility.
While in-game advertising shouldn't be dismissed out of hand, any misstep could lead to a total collapse of player trust. All we can do is wish FIFA 26, and the titles that follow, the best of luck.
Despite some potential issues, the World Cup content currently available in FUT 26 is well worth experiencing. Plus, a new Ultimate Team promo, Greats of the Game, launches this Friday! Stay tuned!