Why FC 26 Needs a Set Piece Creator to Match Tactical Freedom

Set pieces can be the difference between FC 26 Coins winning and losing in tight football matches. From cleverly worked corners to pinpoint free kicks, they offer unique opportunities to influence the scoreline. While EA Sports FC 25 includes basic options for free kicks and corners, the current system lacks the nuance and control that modern football—and football management games—demand. As a result, set pieces feel more like chance events than strategic weapons.

By contrast, Football Manager 2024 empowers players to customize set pieces extensively. Managers can build routines, assign detailed player instructions, and adapt based on team strengths or weaknesses. If FC 26 is to take the next step in Career Mode depth and realism, it needs to introduce a Set Piece Creator that gives players real tactical control.

Set Pieces in FC 25: A Missed Opportunity

In FC 25, set piece mechanics are minimal. Players can:

Choose a set piece taker.

Adjust general player positions.

Pick vague tactics like near-post or far-post delivery.

But that’s where the control ends. You can’t dictate specific runs, movements, blocking strategies, or who attacks which zones. Scoring from corners or free kicks feels like a random event rather than the result of thoughtful planning. This leaves a gap between how real football works and how it's simulated in FC 25.

How Football Manager Raises the Bar

Football Manager 2024 allows full customization of both attacking and defensive set pieces. Managers can:

Design corner routines with specific players attacking different zones.

Assign players to screen the goalkeeper, take short options, or pull defenders wide.

Create free kick strategies for both direct and indirect situations.

Customize defensive positioning to counter aerial threats or second-ball danger.

This freedom makes set pieces another tactical layer rather than a glorified coin toss. Each match becomes an opportunity to outsmart the opposition, not just outplay them.

What FC 26’s Set Piece Creator Should Include

To match—or even surpass—Football Manager, EA should design a robust, intuitive, and rewarding Set Piece Creator for FC 26 that includes the following key features:

 Custom Player Movement & Roles

Allow managers to assign specific instructions for each player during a set piece. For example:

Near Post Runner

Back Post Target

Edge of Box for Rebounds

Short Option

Blocker or Screen

Each instruction would help create unique routines based on cheap Fut 26 Coins your squad’s skill sets.