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Football Manager 26 features a brand-new, redesigned UI that is more streamlined, more accessible and easier to navigate than previous versions. With this update, Sports Interactive even suggests trying a controller, since the interface now supports smoother, console-style movement.
Even with these changes, many players still prefer the precision and speed of a keyboard. If you play mainly on PC, learning the FM26 shortcuts is one of the quickest ways to improve your flow. Whether you are managing transfers, preparing for match day, organising your squad or processing your inbox, these shortcuts make the entire experience faster and much more enjoyable.
Use Keyboard to Navigate
You can move through menus using your keyboard without touching the mouse. This works when browsing cards, tiles, squad lists and many other screens:
A → Move Left ←
D → Move Right →
W → Move Up ↑
S → Move Down ↓
Main Screens and Essential Shortcuts
These are the screens you will visit the most throughout a season:
Primary Screens (1 to 6):
1 → Portal
2 → Squad
3 → Recruitment
4 → Match Day
5 → Club
6 → Career
Additional Navigation Shortcuts:
H → FM Pedia
C → Calendar
U → Open next unread message
P → Portal (letter alternative to key 1)
Bookmark Shortcuts
Bookmarks let you save your favourite screens and return to them instantly. You can store up to twelve, and each one can be opened directly through a shortcut:
Shift + 1 → Bookmark 1
Shift + 2 → Bookmark 2
Shift + 3 → Bookmark 3
Shift + 4 → Bookmark 4
Shift + 5 → Bookmark 5
Shift + 6 → Bookmark 6
Shift + 7 → Bookmark 7
Shift + 8 → Bookmark 8
Shift + 9 → Bookmark 9
Shift + 0 → Bookmark 10
Shift + ’ → Bookmark 11
Shift + + → Bookmark 12
💡 This wide selection allows you to customise your workflow any way you like. For example:
- A scouting-heavy player might bookmark Player Database, Recommendations, Shortlists and Transfer Activity
- A youth-focused save might use Youth Setup, Training, Squad Planner and Staff Search
- A match-prep manager might prefer Tactics, Data Hub, Set Pieces and Fixture Schedule
Game Control Shortcuts
Shift + Space → Go on holiday
Shift + Left-System* + R → Load last save
*(System means the Windows key on PC or the Command key on Mac)
💡 These are helpful for long-term saves or testing scenarios.
Bonus Shortcut: Enable Legacy Spacebar
FM26’s new interface changes how the Spacebar behaves. If you prefer the classic Football Manager style where the game will not continue until all messages are read, you can restore it in the settings.
Go to Settings → Preferences → Detailed → Processing and tick the option labeled Continue Button Legacy Mode.
This brings back the traditional pause-until-inbox-is-clear behaviour that many long-time players prefer.
- Date Created
- 27 Nov 2025 15:12:50
- Date Updated
- 27 Nov 2025 15:13:07
- Last Comment
- 10 Mar 2026 20:28:28
Comments
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jan.klammer
It's such a joke that even after the winter update you are unable to reasign these short cuts! I have a mouse with extra buttons that Ive always used in FM24 and didn't have to use my keyboard at all. It's just a joke, that a simple thing like that still isn't working!!