Yesterday, Football Manager 26 released Update 3 (26.0.6), which addressed more than 200 bug fixes and improvements. Initially, the update was released for the Steam Beta Track, but has now been rolled out officially to all platforms. Now, Sports Interactive has confirmed that another significant update is scheduled for December, and this one will directly target some of the community’s biggest complaints with the match engine.
The upcoming December update is set to refine several long-standing issues around defensive behavior, shot selection, and transitional play. While the list is not yet exhaustive, SI outlined multiple targeted fixes aimed at making matches feel more logical, less frustrating, and more reflective of real-world football patterns.
What’s Being Addressed In The December Match Engine Update?
The following changes are scheduled to come during Football Manager 26’s scheduled December match engine update:
- Tweaks to the frequency of players shooting at the near post from tight angles
- Improvements to defender reactions against opposition dribbling
- Tweaks made to the line defenders hold when defending in their own box
- Improved logic to defenders’ decision-making with headers when not under pressure
- Improved attacking movement of players during counter-attacking transitions
- Various other AI tweaks
One of the most immediate changes players will notice comes in the attacking logic around finishing from tight angles. SI plans to reduce the frequency of unrealistic near-post attempts, a problem that has plagued FM 26‘s early days, where wingers and forwards often ignored square passes or cutbacks in favor of wildly optimistic shots from impossible positions.
Defensive improvements are also a centerpiece of the update. SI is working on enhanced defender reactions to opposition dribbling, an area where FM26 has drawn criticism for slow or passive defensive AI. Alongside that, the team will be adjusting the defensive line players’ hold inside their own box, aiming to eliminate situations where defenders retreat too deep or step up erratically, creating easy passing lanes for the AI.
Another meaningful defensive fix involves improved decision-making on uncontested headers. Too often, defenders in FM26 hesitate, misjudge, or choose bizarre options when under no pressure. SI’s planned improvements should make clearances and aerial interventions more decisive and realistic.
