Troubleshooting Football Manager Data Update Installation - How to install Football Manager Databases

https://ingenuityfantasy.com/feature-articles/the-big-names-missing-from-football-manager-26/

Hey there,

for some reason Dro Fernandez is still at Barcelona with the FM24 Data update. Am I the only one with this?

Thanks!

Hello! When trying to start new game in FM24 with the most recent database update file the game does not let to select English league. So it seems like the file England(league).fmf, created 14.04.26, is damaged. Can anybody help with this issue?

I think it is highly likely you are using additional ‘editor data’ files, one of which is also editing the English league system.

Can you confirm/show us what custom database files you’re using please?

I do a lot of testing on a continuous basis and am very confident that the current/latest FM24 Data Update is working just fine when used standalone.

i have done all the things in the instructions but it didn't work…

Hi M.C., thank you for looking into this back in March.

I just came back to FM24 and downloaded the Enhanced Football Manager Data Update as of 15 May 2026 11:01:00

I think I am seeing similar issues to the ones described above, namely some transfers not really showing in the data. For example, Sebastian Boselli (ID # 2000090212) is showing up in River (ID # 94) instead of Getafe, or Matias Galarza (ID # 79035283) is also showing up in River instead of Atlanta United (when I check these players in fmref.com they correctly show in Getafe & Atlanta United). Strangely, more recent transfers of River are visible, such as coach Eduardo Coudet being properly assigned to River. 

I've deleted all editor data contents and just tried with Sortioutsi's license fixes and the enhanced data update but issue persists. All files are properly located in My Documents\Documents\Sports Interactive\Football Manager 2024\editor data without subfolders or name alterations.

I am on database version 24.3.0 on an Epic Game's FM24 version.

Any clue as to why this might be happening would be appreciated. Thanks in advance!

RESOLVED: this was an issue on my end pertaining to the “sortitoutsi.net FM24 Data Update - +2 Age and Contract Years” file.

When downloading the 26 update it only shows 4 downloaded files. Doesn't change any leagues or European qualification on my files. Anyone able to help

Im trying to use the FM26 data update but none of the leagues have updated. When I extract the zip, it only gives me 4 files. It sounds like it is the same issue liamkpcowell is having.

Neither yourself nor @liamkpcowell are experiencing an issue with the download/install, as such. Our FM26 Data Update (and, also, our FM24 Data Update) hasn't been updated - yet - to include updated promotions/relegations from the various nations. We've started the process and we've set up a dedicated thread to track and publish progress, which can be seen here: https://sortitoutsi.net/content/76916/202627-league-updates-fm24-fm26

Hi - I'm having a strange issue where player IDs do not match what I see in FMRef.com and this is generating issues with face packs. I think this is affecting reserve/youth team players in Argentina.

I am using F24's paid Live Update data and nothing else (editor data folder screenshot attached).

Example 1: Matias Unyicio (player ID # 2000438820 https://sortitoutsi.net/football-manager-data-update/person/2000438820 / https://fmref.com/person/2000438820) shows up as # 2002092068 ingame (screeshot attached)

Example 2: Gianfranco Ledestre (player ID # 2100055761 https://sortitoutsi.net/football-manager-data-update/new-person/2100055761) shows as # 2002091296 ingame (screenshot attached)

Example 3: Leonel Jaime (player ID # 2000386780 https://sortitoutsi.net/football-manager-data-update/person/2000386780 / https://fmref.com/person/2000386780) shows as a different player ingame # 2002044336 (probably an unrelated duplicate player issue, as I see this person though unregistered to any team here https://sortitoutsi.net/football-manager-data-update/person/2002044336 / https://fmref.com/person/2002044336 - screenshot attached)

Any help will be greatly appreciated 🙂

Hello, I’ve noticed several issues:

In the Fiorentina team, president Rocco Commisso is listed as deceased, Fabio Paratici is missing, and the promotions and relegations for the 2025/2026 Serie A season are not updated. Also, even though there are files/options to remove injuries and suspensions, I still start with injured players.

I purchased the €10 subscription to have everything updated every 20 minutes, but honestly, it’s a disaster.
(FM24 updates)

What you're observing, I think, is not an unexpected mismatch - but rather an expected one. I appreciate it can be a bit confusing, so I'll try and explain.

FMRef - and the data that presents on this website - shows the UIDs for players from the FM26 database. The examples you've cited are all players who do not exist in the FM24 database, therefore for them to exist in the FM24 Data Update they've had to be created.

In FM24, these created players will have a different UID from the FM26 UID. We prevent them appearing in the FM26 Data Update by linking them to the ‘official’ version of the player - and I can see that both Matias Unyicio and Leonel Jaime are linked accordingly.

For players who are created and have a face approved in the Cut-Out Megapack, the separate download for the ‘Facepack for New Wonderkids' (https://sortitoutsi.net/football-manager-data-update) should include those players with the correct UID. If you're seeking to use the information on the website to create your own images, then unfortunately using the website data is not the right source of information. The UIDs you are seeing in-game are, essentially, what you should use as a reference.

You should find that in each save game in FM24, the players retain the same UIDs, as the update is built in such a way to ensure this.

Sorry to hear that it's not the experience you had hoped for. I'll try and respond to each point you've made, just to ensure you get an answer.

1. Rocco Commisso is an example of a scenario where the person has been removed from the FM26 database and, therefore, we can't administer their status directly through the website. The main basis for the way the update works is through web-based submissions that are moderated. When a person is removed from SI's database, it means we have to plug that gap with manual files and, as I'm sure you can appreciate, maintaining something like that on a global scale is a huge job. We last made a new ‘deceased people’ file on 9th January 2026, which is when my time allowed for it and this pre-dates the death of Rocco Commisso which is why he wasn't included.
    
2. At present, there is no method for us to have newly-created non-players added to the FM24 database. We have a fairly mature process for players, but non-players is not a function yet. As Fabio Paratici was not in the FM24 (official) database, there is no way to have him added - again, except for us maintaining a manual file for such additions. To be honest, this is not content we've been able to get to simply due to not having the resources to do it and missing non-players has not been something asked about (much) by the community. This is intended to just be an explanation, not an excuse.
    
3. On the injuries subject. The purpose of the ‘Remove Injuries’ file is to strip out the injuries coded in by Sports Interactive in the official database, because those were based on real-life situations which are now historical. If, on game start, there are injuries in place, then it is likely that this is part of the game's simulation algorithm. Of course, if you can provide a specific example or two, if you believe certain players are always injured, then I can investigate.
    
4. If you're referring to promotions/relegations reflected so that the first season is 2026/27, then you're right - they're not yet updated. We are working on this and we have a dedicated thread setup where we will publish what is done and when, here: https://sortitoutsi.net/content/76916/202627-league-updates-fm24-fm26. Updating promotions/relegations/league structures is not an automated process - it requires the staff team to create the necessary files manually and it takes some time. For context, however, the final promotion to Serie A was decided yesterday (29/05/2026) As far as I am aware, the promotions from Serie C to Serie B have not yet been determined - and so, in simple terms, it's impossible, at this stage, to have a fully updated Italian structure reflecting 2026/27. Believe me, I invest a lot of my free time to tracking as many of the schedules as I can to line up my time to update files when I can.

We do as much as we can to update as much as we are able. As you can see, there are some limitations and some of those are challenges introduced since the release of FM26, the variance between those two games (in terms of database) and there is a continual management of that situation by the Site Admin.

Just to confirm, the 20-minute release cycles refers to how regularly a new instance of the Data Update is packaged. It will contain all approved submissions - which include newly-created players, ability submissions and contractual changes to players in the official database - and it will include any files that are manually created that have been added by the staff team. Unfortunately, there is no method to fully automate promotions/relegations/league structure updates, so it is impossible for these to be included the moment the final ball is kicked in a given nation.

All that being said, if you feel you would like to request a refund, then please note that the following thread is the place to do it: https://sortitoutsi.net/content/57415/all-issues-with-premium-membership-post-here. The Site Admin can then pick that up with you.

Thank you for your response.

Regarding the promotions and relegations update, I was referring to the season that has just finished, not next season. I also understand the explanation regarding injuries.

The real issue for me is the updates to staff members as well. If I am paying for a service, I believe it is fair to expect the updates as declared and advertised in the file.

If these updates are now only being made for FM26, then that is absolutely fine, but in that case I will request a refund.

Thank you.

Italy should absolutely reflect 2025/26 right now. The file was updated in August 2025 and I haven’t heard any issues, broadly. I do think there are maybe discrepancies based on things that developed once 2025/26 was underway (perhaps a team in Serie C folded and I believe Inter U23s officially joined the league pyramid). But from your message it sounds like you’ve got no updated leagues for Italy. It would be good to get that confirmed and we can then troubleshoot.

All of the updates are being maintained for FM24 and FM26. As I have explained, some things are automated and some are manual. Automated updates happen quickly. Manual updates may take some time.

I do not think the specific individuals you’ve cited as being incorrect in FM24 are representative of a widespread issue that is being misrepresented or mis-sold. There is no claim or guarantee that every individual in the world is correct in real-time, nor do we claim to add non-players to any game version. Therefore I’d disagree with your statement that something is ‘declared and advertised’ that isn’t in the update. But that’s just my opinion. You’re entitled to yours and I want to be clear that I’m not saying you aren’t.

In any case, if you would like a refund, please request so in the thread I shared previously. The Site Admin handles all financial transactions. I can’t personally assist with that directly.

Hello, 

i have moved the 3 FMF files to the editor data for 2026, however when i go into the database options i only see 2 FMF files. i have reloaded the game and even moved the files back into the relevant folder but still nothing. When i load the game the English teams are still in last seasons leagues.

Just acknowledging - also, I've moved your post into our dedicated ‘Troubleshooting’ thread.

Certainly, you should definitely see all three files when starting up the game. Even on the previous version of the file (i.e. before today's updated England file) that should be the case.

Now, in terms of seeing the updated 2026/27 leagues, that will rely on the version of the Data Update you've downloaded ‘integrating’ the newly-uploaded file into the download. I have a feeling that, on the free tier, this updates on the once-per-day schedule that the other files do. Therefore, on the free tier, you should see the new file in the download from about 04:30 tomorrow morning UKT. One way you can definitely verify that is the case is to check the last modified date on the file from within the zip (i.e. before you extract it/move them out). If this shows a timestamp of April 2026, then it's still the old file. If it shows a timestamp of June 2026, its the new file. But it's important to check that modified date inside the downloaded zip file. As soon as you move the file out, it stamps a new modified date and I don't want to confuse you.

I think it is highly likely that the new file will appear for users of the free tier overnight tonight.

However, the old file, that you've just downloaded, should still work. I've just downloaded an earlier version with that file and tested it to replicate what you would have downloaded…and I can see all three files, select them and use them. So perhaps there is an installation issue at your end and, if you'd like help troubleshooting it (appreciating that you'll likely grab the new version tomorrow, anyway), then to help me do that please share a screenshot of your ‘editor data’ folder and a screenshot of the database setup screen in-game where the enabled custom database files can be selected.

Let's say I download and install the FM 24 paid update today, start new save. As I like to have multiple saves, next week I will want to start another save, so I'll download the newer update and start my next save. If I want to go back to the first save, will it still work? As the editor files used for this will be gone

There you go mate, shows the 3 in teh folder, but in game only those two. i have scrolled down and its not there to be checked.

Thanks - I think, just to be certain, I would like to see the screenshot of what files appear further down the list (as I do note the scrollbar).

I can tell from the file size (1,240kb) that this is still the ‘previous’ file, in any case. So that confirms that part, anyway. Mentioning that as you may feel it not worth continuing the troubleshooting knowing it is a file being replaced overnight tonight in the free tier.

Just FYI, the previous version of the file (the one you're using), in-game, shows the name “E20 - England to L11”, which is just an artefact/leftover from the way the original owner named it. I suspect it is in your list, but you're just not realising it has that name instead (and I appreciate that is confusing). From tomorrow (when the new file becomes avaiable on the free tier), it'll carry a name, in-game, consistent with all of our other files.

As I say, I have just downloaded and installed the same version you're on and I can definitively say I can't replicate the file not showing. I see it - and the two other files - and when I select all three, I get the effects of having it selected.

Here you go, hope this is what you meant

Right, so that shows me that the file is working - it's the “E20 - England to Level 11” file.

Sorry, between me explaining the other bits and pieces in this discussion, it may have become unclear - but, basically, you're still receiving the ‘old’ version of the file (i.e. not the one that I uploaded earlier today). This is because, on the free tier of the Data Update - the contents in the downloadable package are updated once per day (at around 04:30 UK-time). So when you re-download the FM26 Data Update from 04:30 tomorrow morning onwards, you'll have the updated England file in it.

Thank you mate. much appreciated