Essential FM26 Info

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Getting started with FM26? Here are the must-know basics, install info, and fixes for common problems*.



*This is a work-in-progress article and will be updated over time as new issues and solutions are found
 

 


> Windows only

 

Crashing on Career Start Up

If your game is crashing when you are trying to start a career:
 

  1. Head to Windows Security, navigate to Virus & threat protection settings
  2. Click on Ransomware Protection (located on the bottom)
  3. From there go to “Allow an app through Controlled folder access
  4. Click on Add permitted app
  5. Locate the fm.exe (which is usually located in your Steam folder: C:\SteamLibrary\steamapps\common\Football Manager 26)

 

 

 

> Mac only

 

Graphics Folder Location

If your custom graphics (logos, facepacks, etc.) aren’t showing up in FM26, you’ve probably got them in the wrong folder.

By default, FM26 uses a this graphics folder location:

 

'/Users/USERNAME/Library/Application Support/Sports Interactive/Football Manager 26/graphics'

 

 

 

 

> General

 

Licensing Issues - Fake Names

Due to licensing restrictions, some clubs and national teams don’t appear with their real names. You’ll notice this most clearly with the Germany national team, which uses fake players, as well as several Italian teams and other clubs missing their official names. To fix this, you need to download and apply our Real Name Fix.

 

Clear Graphics Cache

There is currently no option under Preferences to manually clear the graphics cache. If your graphics aren’t updating properly, the workaround is to quit the game completely and start it again.

 

Changing Game Content Folder

For your convenience, you might want to change your default Football Manager 2026 folder: the location where all FM-related files such as editor data, tactics, graphics, and saves are stored:

  1. You need to create a specific folder for FM files with whatever name you want in the pretended destination
  2. Open Steam and head to FM26
  3. Click in ⚙️ Manage and select Properties
  4. Under Launch Option set your folder location so the game can treat it as a game folder (--user_data_location="YOUR FOLDER PATH")

 

edgardavids8
19 years ago
16 hours ago
505
Date Created
24 Oct 2025 14:41:20
Date Updated
24 Oct 2025 22:29:55
Last Comment
29 Nov 2025 22:44:28
Comments
Aljo24
13 years ago
1 week ago
1,769
07 Nov 2025 16:07:18

One question. I hope for all our sakes that im wrong on this but… Is there no option for viewing STARTING LINEUPS(formations) of ai managers in FM26?

edgardavids8
19 years ago
16 hours ago
505
07 Nov 2025 16:07:41
By Joe Avalon 07 November 2025 - 15:54 PM UTC 

Do I have to put the two commas " before and after my folder path in the game preferences to change game folder location? Thank you

 

Yes, exactly like the image shows

indemnizacao
15 years ago
6 months ago
1
08 Nov 2025 13:38:45

Hello…

 

I need your help…

 

I'm trying to fix the names in the game in a MAC.

 

But I Cannot go on after this board. How should I do?

 

Thank you…

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marcolino44
9 months ago
19 hours ago
1
29 Nov 2025 14:23:02
By jamie ba 27 October 2025 - 17:21 PM UTC 

We are going to be stuck with this new Fm because so many content creators are worried about losing their alpha access or free copies to give away. That’s why hardly anyone is speaking up about how disappointing this year’s Football Manager really is.

Football Manager has always been about data — spreadsheets, stats, and analysis. You can lose hours diving into player attributes, scouting reports, and heat maps, and that’s exactly what makes the game special. That’s what makes Football Manager, Football Manager.

Sure, the UI could’ve evolved a bit, but SI should have made two versions:
• One for console and tablet players (like the new FM26)
• And one for PC players, keeping last year’s interface but adding the new match engine and improvements

PC players have always been the hardcore fans — the foundation of the series since the old Championship Manager days. SI seems more focused on chasing the broader market now, and I get it — money talks. But even if we’re a smaller group, that “small percentage” still represents millions of loyal players. We’re the ones who bought the game every year and helped it become what it is today.

Yet not a single big content creator with a platform seems willing to call it out. Surely, they can’t all think this version is great? It’s disappointing.

I’ve actually uninstalled FM26, got a refund, and reinstalled FM24 instead.
It’s a shame, because I’ve been playing Football Manager since the Championship Manager era.

Here is a list of things taken out of the game.

User interface and data
"Personality" and "media description" columns on player screens are gone.
Customization options for the fixture screen have been removed.
Scatter graphs in the Data Hub no longer display numbers.
Players are no longer highlighted differently in certain lists.
The "i" icon to quickly inspect attributes and the heart hover to inspect fitness are removed.
Individual training suggestions from staff are no longer shown.
Ability to save line-ups is gone.
The Development Centre has been removed. 
Match and tactics
Heatmaps are no longer available.
The data chalkboard has been removed.
Players' attributes cannot be seen on the tactic screen during a match.
The ability to customize which match events trigger replays is gone.
Pass maps and touchline shouts have been removed. 
Management and training
The ability to appoint captains outside of the vice-captain is gone.
Copying and pasting training calendars is no longer possible.
Drag-and-drop training sessions in the calendar is disabled.
Youth/reserve team tactical and starting eleven selection is removed.
U21/U18 training schedules and coach assignments are gone.
Individual training sessions can no longer be ended.
Director of Football transfer recommendations have been removed.
The ability to scout clubs by attending their matches yourself is gone.
The "deadline day" event has been removed. 
Game modes
Create-a-Club, Versus Mode, and Challenge Mode have been removed.
Fantasy Draft is no longer a game mode.
National team U21 and U19 access has been severely limited.

 

Hi, thanks for those informations.

May I ask : how did you get a refund ? I asked for it on steam and they refused me because I have already played more than 2 hours in the game…

Have a nice day.

jamie ba
2 years ago
5 days ago
2
Premium
29 Nov 2025 22:44:28

Hi mate, I had around two hours on there I just requested a refund through Steam when you locate the game it would say request a refund and it asked me to type something, I’ve just told them It was the worst FM I’ve ever played and gave them all the reasons why, please see above, and literally within around half an hour I think they just gave me my refund. I might jump back on on FM 27. I don’t feel like paying £50 for a beta game is fair especially with everything being removed. Maybe ask them again if you can and express the reasons above good luck 

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