With FC 27 set to release on September 25, 2026, the leaked closed beta gameplay has sparked considerable discussion in the player community. The most pressing question for players isn’t how much new content FC 27 includes, but a more practical one: how much has FC 27 actually changed compared to FC 26?

Based on the leaked footage, FC 27 retains many of the core experiences of FC 26. Many players have stated that if the match footage from both games were placed side-by-side, it would be difficult for the average player to immediately distinguish between the two games, reigniting the controversy that FC 27 is merely a re-skinned version of FC 26.

However, FC 27 isn’t entirely without changes. Meta features and new modes bring some unique experiences. IGGM.com will analyze the most talked-about gameplay changes in FC 27 and whether these adjustments are truly sufficient to support a brand-new football game of the year.

Gameplay

Currently, the most controversial aspect of FC 27 is still its gameplay. Some players felt that manual defending provided better feedback than in FC 26, with more noticeable touch ranges for interceptions and man marking when manually controlling defenders.

Meanwhile, IGGM.com observed that AI defending seemed weakened, requiring more reliance on manual defensive maneuvers. Passing also saw some changes, with a more snappy feel, but it didn’t completely revert to the fast-paced Tiki-Taka style of the past. Technical Dribbling appeared more agile when providing more space for FUT 27’s offense.

However, these changes didn’t alter the gameplay experience. Familiar offensive and defensive techniques like Byline Cutbacks, Through Balls, and AI Tackles are still present, making the assessment that FC 27 is simply a re-skinned version of FC 26 quite common.

Precisely because the gameplay didn’t offer enough novelty, The Grounds became one of the most anticipated new features in FC 27. Some players were already experiencing fatigue with the competitive mode, and The Grounds offered a more relaxed and social experience.

However, some players remain concerned that it might follow the same trajectory as Volta, with its popularity potentially declining rapidly without sustained updates and content support. Therefore, whether The Grounds can ultimately become a significant long-term mode for FC 27, rather than just a promotional highlight, will depend on how EA maintains and expands this gameplay.

Meta

Many players have noticed that goalkeepers in FIFA 27 Closed Beta are performing exceptionally well, with even bronze and silver goalkeepers making some incredible saves.

However, goalkeepers have historically been relatively weak in FC series, and high-rating goalkeepers often make mistakes against regular shots. Therefore, appropriately increasing the goalkeeper’s presence might not be a bad thing.

More importantly, some players have noticed the return of Through Ball Meta in FUT 27, with Lengthy tactics gaining renewed attention, and Kickoff Glitch reappearing.

However, IGGM.com believes it’s too early to judge Meta. Gameplay, player movement, and player balance in Closed Beta may still be adjusted, and the actual situation after the official release may differ.

SBC and Coin Rewards

FC 27 appears to have tweaked the traditional Squad Building Challenge, introducing a new points-like mechanism. Based on currently available information, Bronze, Silver, and Gold players of varying rarities will provide different amounts of Points, which you’ll need to earn by submitting players from your club to complete the challenge.

This new mechanism has sparked some controversy. Investing significant resources only to receive a basic reward like Bronze Players Preview Pack seems like a poor trade-off.

Besides SBC, Objective Chain’s Coin rewards have also become a focal point of community discussion. IGGM.com found that similar tasks in FC 26 could yield up to 12,000 Coins, while the current maximum reward is only 5,000 FC 27 coins for sale.

If this design is ultimately retained, FUT players relying on Objectives to accumulate early-game funds will probably experience a disruption to their early game economy. For players looking to quickly assemble their teams, you can buy FC Coins from IGGM.com after the game’s release. We offer multiple discount options to help you quickly build your ideal lineup and easily start your new journey.

Controls and UI

Besides the gameplay changes, the menus and controls in FIFA 27 Beta haven’t received much praise. Some players believe the new menus still have slow response times, and the overall interface design doesn’t offer a significant improvement over FC 26.

FIFA 27’s new corner kick system has also generated mixed reviews. Some players feel the new corners haven’t truly solved the problems of past corner kick gameplay, instead of increasing the complexity of controls.

In contrast, the new Skill Moves have received more attention. Some new moves require combining L2, R2, and Right Analog Stick, and require specific Trickster PlayStyles.

If these features retain their current operating speed and cancel mechanism in the final version, they are likely to become significant meta factors in the early stages of FUT 27, influencing players’ future offensive strategies.

Virtual Pro Face Scan

Another noteworthy change is Virtual Pro Face Scan. FC 27 appears to allow players to scan their faces and add them to Virtual Pro. This isn’t an unfamiliar feature for players familiar with games like NBA 2K.

You can enter the new open-world experience with a more realistic Virtual Pro avatar, which could further strengthen the connection between Career, Clubs, and The Grounds. However, similar face scan functionality has appeared in FIFA series before, so this feels more like a return of an old feature than a complete innovation.

The real debate among players isn’t whether FC 27 has new features, but whether these features are sufficient to support a new annual title. If these issues are addressed in the final version, along with sufficient long-term content, FIFA 27 still has a chance to shed the label of a re-skin.