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To play FIFA 26 online, you need to install the game, link your account, use the web/companion app for team management, activate the cross-play function (optional), and invite friends to online matches.
Instructions: How to play FIFA 26 online
The web app and companion app have been online since the release and offer many practical features that make the online experience easier. EA FC 26 has been released for various platforms, and an EA account is required to play online. To play FIFA 26 (EA Sports FC 26) online, follow these steps:
- Install the game on your console or PC. For consoles, you can download the game from a game library with an activated account, for example. It is important that console sharing is enabled so that you can play even when the main account’s console is offline.
- Create an EA account or use an existing account. Log in to the game with this account.
- Connect your EA account to the FC 26 web app or companion app to manage your Ultimate Team via a web browser or mobile device.
- Make sure you have a stable internet connection, as the game always requires this for online mode.
- Use the cross-play feature if you want to play with friends on other platforms. To do this, you must enable cross-play in the settings.
- To play with friends, add them as friends in your EA account and start a game directly online.
- To get started with Ultimate Team, the web app supports extensive features for managing your team and using the transfer market.
Enable crossplay in EA FC 26
Crossplay is enabled by default in EA FC 26. To enable or disable it, follow these steps:
- Open the main menu in the game.
- Go to the “EA Connect” menu, which can be found at the bottom right of the screen.
- Select “Social Settings.”
- Select the ‘Crossplay’ option.
- There you can toggle the “Crossplay Enabled” switch on or off.
- Alternatively, you can also change the Crossplay setting in the Settings menu by navigating to Main Menu > Customize > Online Settings > Matchmaking Options.
- Please note that cross-play is only possible between consoles of the same generation (e.g., Xbox Series X/S and PS5 together, Xbox One and PS4 together) and is not available for Nintendo Switch. Furthermore, cross-play cannot be turned on or off during a game.
- This setting allows you to play against or with players on other platforms or, if disabled, to play only on your own platform.
Tips for a stable connection when playing online
The measures listed below will help minimize lag, disconnections, or delays when playing games such as FIFA 26 online and ensure a smooth gaming experience. The following tips will help you maintain a stable connection when gaming online:
- Use a fast internet connection with a minimum download speed of 50 Mbit/s, although upload speed is also important. A ping (latency) of less than 50 ms is ideal, and less than 30 ms is even better.
- Connect your PC or console directly to the router using an Ethernet cable. This avoids interference and fluctuations that can occur with Wi-Fi.
- If you are using Wi-Fi, play in the 5 GHz band (instead of 2.4 GHz) if possible and use modern routers with WiFi 6 or higher. Position the router on the device so that it is free of obstacles and sources of interference.
- Prioritize online games in the router via QoS (Quality of Service) so that gaming data is given preferential treatment and other devices do not affect the speed.
- Restart your router regularly and keep the firmware up to date to minimize connection problems.
- When choosing a game server, select a location as close as possible (e.g., European servers in Europe) to reduce latency.
- Reduce the number of applications or downloads running in parallel that use your bandwidth.
