One of the most annoying moments for EA Sports FC 26 players is when you concede a goal right after the kick-off. People call it the “kick-off goal,” and it’s been a common gripe in the community, often making players feel helpless before they’ve even done anything with the ball. So why does this happen, and what has EA done to try and fix it with recent updates?
| Aspect | Details |
| Reason for Kick-Off Goals | Player and defensive AI positioning immediately after kick-off. Defenders are pushed higher, creating gaps between midfield and defense. Attackers can exploit this with fast passes or direct runs. |
| Attacking Techniques | Speed dribbling, skill moves, through balls to bypass defenders before AI reacts. |
| Older Game Versions | AI defenders didn’t track attackers effectively in the first few seconds, allowing free runs and early goals. |
| Online Play Factor | Latency and slower reaction times make kick-off goals even easier. |
| Player Perception | Many players view kick-off goals as unfair because defensive setup doesn’t have time to stabilize. |
To fix this, EA Sports FC 26 version 1.1.0 brought in smarter AI behavior right after kick-off. Now, defenders react faster to forward passes and aggressive dribbling, and midfielders track runners more effectively. This change helps cut down on those quick, unfair goals and encourages players to think more strategically in the opening moments instead of just relying on speedy, exploitative attacks.
All in all, kick-off goals in FC 26 usually happened because of unbalanced positioning and slow defensive reactions at the start of the game. With the latest updates, EA has made some real improvements to make sure both teams start on a more even footing. Matches now kick off with a more realistic feel, giving defenders a fair shot to get organized before everything gets chaotic—a change that’s welcome whether you’re a casual fan or into competitive play, and you can earn some FC 26 Coins along the way.
