Cross-play platforms and generation rules

EA Sports FC 26 supports cross-play across PC, PlayStation, and Xbox. Matchmaking is separated by platform generation, so only players on the same generation can match or party up:

  • Current generation: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC can play together.
  • Previous generation: PlayStation 4 and Xbox One can play together.

Cross-play is enabled by default on first launch. If you’re on a PS5, for example, you won’t be able to match with friends on PS4, and the same applies in reverse.

Nintendo Switch support

Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2 versions of EA Sports FC do not support cross-play. Players on these systems can match with other Switch players only.

Game modes with cross-play (EA Sports FC 26)

Within each game, the following modes support cross-play when you’re matched with players on the same generation:

Mode Cross-play activities
Clubs Drop-in, Friendlies, League, Playoffs, Practice, RUSH
Co-op Season Standard Co-op Season
Co-op Season Cups Cup competitions within Co-op Season
Live Events Live-service event playlists
Online Friendlies Head-to-head with friends
Online Season Season play and Online Season Cups
Ultimate Team Division Rivals, Champions, Online Draft, Play A Friend, RUSH, Competitive, Ultimate Team Co-Op (Squad Battles, Rivals, Friendlies)

Note: You’ll still need to be within the same generation pool (PS5/Xbox Series/PC together, or PS4/Xbox One together) for cross-play matchmaking to work in these modes.

Turn cross-play on or off

Cross-play is on by default the first time you launch EA Sports FC 26. You can toggle it at any time from the main menus (not during a match):

  • From the Main Menu, open EA connect (bottom-right), go to Social settings > Cross-play > Cross-play settings, then set Cross-play Enabled to Yes or No.
  • Alternate path: Main Menu > Customise > Online Settings > Matchmaking Options.
  • From Ultimate Team: Main Menu > Ultimate Team > Settings > Matchmaking Settings.

If you prefer step-by-step guidance, use EA’s official cross-play help page for EA Sports FC: Manage cross-play settings on EA Help.

Tip: Turning cross-play off restricts you to players on your exact platform only and disables invites from other platforms until you re-enable it.

Playing with friends on other platforms

Use the in-game EA connect menu to manage your friends list and invites. As long as cross-play is enabled and everyone is on the same generation pool, you can invite friends from PlayStation, Xbox, or PC into supported modes (see the table above). You can’t invite across generations (for example, PS5 to PS4).

Cross-progression and save carryover

Cross-progression is limited and depends on platform family:

  • PlayStation: Cross-progression is available in Ultimate Team only.
  • Same-family upgrades: Progress carries when moving within a platform family (e.g., PS4 to PS5, Xbox One to Xbox Series X|S).
  • No cross-family transfers: Progress does not move between PlayStation and Xbox.

This applies to your overall progression and item ownership; switching families (e.g., PlayStation to Xbox) will start you fresh on the new platform.

Key takeaways

  • Cross-play is supported on PC, PlayStation, and Xbox, but only within the same generation pool.
  • Nintendo Switch (including Switch 2) doesn’t participate in cross-play for EA Sports FC.
  • Most major online modes are enabled for cross-play in FC 26, including Clubs and a wide slate of Ultimate Team playlists.
  • Cross-play is on by default; you can toggle it in EA connect or Matchmaking Options.
  • Progress carries within the same platform family; there’s no progression transfer between PlayStation and Xbox, and on PlayStation cross-progression is limited to Ultimate Team.

If your group spans different console generations, align on which version to play before you invest time in progression and club builds.