October 30, 2025
EA FC 26 Update Restores R1 Dribbling Speed and Teases Possible Goalkeeper Nerf The latest FC 26 tuning patch rebalances sprint dribbling and may hint at major changes to goalkeeper movement in future updates
The first month of EA FC 26 has been anything but smooth for Ultimate Team players. While the game launched in strong shape with balanced, competitive gameplay, post-launch tuning updates disrupted that balance — most notably by overbuffing CDMs and slowing down dribbling responsiveness.
These adjustments made attacking play clunky and tilted matches heavily in favor of defensive tactics once again. The community’s frustration was immediate and loud, prompting EA to release a Live Tuning Update to fix one of the game’s most controversial issues.
🎯 Controlled Sprint Dribbling Fixed in Live Tuning Update
EA confirmed via its FC Direction Communication channel that R1/RB controlled sprint dribbling has now been restored to nearly its pre-patch speed.
This means players should once again feel sharper movement when maneuvering through tight defenses — especially when using quick, skill-based directional changes.
- Before: Dribbling felt heavy and inconsistent.
- Now: R1 dribbling is faster, smoother, and closer to launch performance.
For creative attackers, this is a big win. The restored responsiveness allows for more dynamic plays and quick turns that can leave defenders scrambling, bringing back the “flow” that defined FC 26’s early gameplay.
🧤 Goalkeeper Movement Under Review
Alongside this tuning update, EA also addressed growing complaints about Goalkeeper Movement, one of the most divisive features in competitive play.
According to recent discussions in the official EA FC Discord, the developers ran a community poll asking players how they feel about manual goalkeeper control. Out of five available options, “I strongly dislike it” reportedly won by a landslide.
While no official change has been announced yet, this poll strongly suggests that a goalkeeper nerf or full rework could be on the horizon. Players have long criticized manual GK movement for feeling unpredictable, often rewarding guesswork rather than skill.
If EA acts on this feedback, it could mean a more balanced meta — where shot placement and timing once again matter more than spamming GK flicks in critical moments.
🧩 What This Means for the Meta
The dribbling restoration is a promising step back toward the balanced gameplay fans enjoyed at launch. Attackers can now better exploit space without feeling restricted by sluggish controls, and defenders will need to rely more on positioning than AI assistance.
Meanwhile, a potential goalkeeper adjustment could further open up attacking strategies, rewarding creativity and precise finishing rather than reactive saves.
If both systems continue to evolve in this direction, FC 26 could return to being one of the most balanced football titles EA has produced in years.
💭 Final Thoughts
The EA FC 26 Live Tuning Update shows that EA is listening — and willing to walk back unpopular changes when they hurt gameplay quality. Restoring R1 dribbling is a major win for attackers, and if the rumored goalkeeper nerf arrives, we could be headed toward the most skill-based meta of the year.
For now, expect faster transitions, tighter ball control, and plenty of goals as players readjust to the new flow of play.