FM26’s latest update is now live across platforms, including updated squads following the January transfer window and thousands of player rating changes based on performances over recent months. 

Those new squad dynamics and the stories from world football so far this season make it the perfect time to dive into a new adventure. To help you choose where to start, we’ve pulled together a selection of our favourites that offer a variety of challenges. 

Parma Calcio 1913

Parma hold a special place in the heart of a certain generation as one of Italy’s most iconic teams. Their instantly recognisable home kit, their big signings and their performances in Europe – all of them bring fond memories. 

The last two decades have proved challenging off the pitch but the Gialloblu are back on the up. With a well-built international squad, Parma have fielded the third youngest side across Europe’s top five leagues this season and have been thoroughly competitive in Serie A. 

In real life they’ve given a first opportunity to a young manager. Why not let them do the same for you in FM26 and repay their faith with a first-ever Scudetto? 

Aston Villa

Over the course of 2025, Aston Villa had the third-best record in the Premier League and ended the year with a club record 11 consecutive wins in all competitions. 

That run was testament to the quality squad they’ve built, their excellent tactical coaching from Unai Emery and their impressive ability to battle back from behind.

While Arsenal currently lead the table looking to end their 22-year title drought, Villa’s wait goes all the way back to 1981. Based on their performances this season, and the contributions from in-form stars like Morgan Rogers and Emiliano Buendia, they’re not far away. 

TSG Hoffenheim

One of the stories of the Bundesliga season so far has been the return to form of TSG Hoffenheim. 

15th last time out, the club from Germany’s south-west had huge squad turnover in the summer and it’s paid off so far as they sit 3rd at the time of writing – on track for their highest finish since 2018. 

Their outstanding performances this campaign mean that their squad is one of the most improved in the latest update, led by talismanic Dutch midfielder Wouter Burger who has five goals and nine assists in 20 games. Stronger from the off, they’re now a very exciting prospect for you to take over. 

Club América

The most successful club in Mexican football history, Club América are fully licensed for the first time in FM history in FM26. 

Their squad is packed with experienced internationals from Mexico, Uruguay, Chile and the USA, spearheaded by captain and striker Henry Martín. 

Step into the dugout in the Mexican capital, build a legacy and push the team on, while also battling for continental bragging rights in the Leagues Cup and North American Champions Cup.

West Ham

It’s not really gone to plan for West Ham since that joyous day in 2023 when they won the UEFA Europa Conference League final. 

This season they’ve struggled in the Premier League at both ends of the pitch but took steps to remedy that in January by adding Axel Disasi at the back and a hat-trick of new attacking players in Adama Traore, Taty Castellanos and Pablo Felipe. 

With those new players at your disposal, you can rewind the clock and bid for a stronger top-flight campaign in the 2025/26 season. From there, smart recruitment will be essential if you’re to capture more European success and deliver football the way their fans demand. 

Widzew Lodz

The Ekstraklasa is one of Europe’s fastest growing leagues, with the increased UEFA Club Competition spots boosting Polish football financially and competitively. 

Unlike other similarly-sized nations, there’s currently not one dominant force and that makes it perfect for you to head there for your next save and build a dynasty. Our recommendation is Widzew Lodz. 

Based in the centre of Poland, Lodz are four-time Ekstraklasa winners but have been relegated three times since winning their last top-flight title in 1997. Now in their fourth season back in the top tier, it’s over to you to help the Widzewiacy re-establish themselves atop Polish football.

Motherwell

The William Hill Scottish Premiership has been drama-filled this season, with typical powerhouses Celtic and Rangers going through managerial changes and Hearts emerging as genuine title contenders. 

That’s perhaps led to Motherwell’s incredible season under Jens Berthel Askou going under the radar. By early February they’d almost matched their 2024/25 points tally, having lost just three of their first 25 games. 

Form like that explains why their squad is one of the most upgraded in the latest FM26 update, with headline Current Ability increases for Premiership top scorer Tawanda Maswanhise and midfielder Elliot Watt. 

RAAL La Louviere

The Belgian leagues have long been popular with FM fans for being a hotbed of exciting Wonderkids and young prospects. Without doubt the most interesting team from the Jupiler Pro League to manage in FM26 are RAAL La Louviere. 

Since initially forming in 2009, RAAL have had a few changes of name but over the last decade they’ve enjoyed a remarkable rise. Led by Frederic Taquin, they’ve achieved four promotions in eight years to reach the top division. 

With a new stadium built in time for the 2025/26 season, we think it’s time for you to take on the baton to see how you can continue their fairytale. Your first goal will be avoiding relegation and claiming the bragging rights over local rivals Charleroi. After that, the possibilities are endless. 

Shrewsbury Town

Several Sky Bet League Two side were busy in January but few have seen more immediate rewards than Shrewsbury Town. 

The Shropshire side had endured a tough start to the campaign, winning just one of their first 11 league games and staring down the barrel of successive relegations. A January managerial change coincided with seven new arrivals, headlined by Brentford loanees Matthew Cox and Iwan Morgan, and they’ve since won five on the spin to pull away from the relegation zone. 

That recent form shows what might have been for The Shrews this season – and that’s where you come in. Take over in the New Meadow dugout and see whether you can have them thinking about an immediate return to Sky Bet League One instead and even more to follow. 

FC Augsburg

Having never played in the Bundesliga before 2011, this season is FC Augsburg’s 15th consecutive campaign in the German top tier. 

Although they continue to fill up the WWK Arena for every home game, it’s now a decade since they made their UEFA Club Competition debut and finished in the top half of the Bundesliga table.

It’s time for you to change that and elevate the Bavarian club, building around their exciting young players like Mert Kömür, Noahkai Banks, Uchenna Ogundu and Fabian Rieder. 

Macclesfield

Of course we had to include Macclesfield FC on this list after that cup win in January. But that’s just part of their story. 

The Cheshire club have been constantly newsworthy since forming as a phoenix club in 2020, attracting notable managers, having their fortunes documented in a TV series and achieving three promotions in four seasons.

Although replicating an upset of the magnitude of their win over Crystal Palace might be challenging in your first season, joining the 6,000 other managers who’ve continued their momentum and got them promoted from the Enterprise National League North (and more besides) is well within your reach.

Briton Ferry Llansawel FC

Close and competitive, the Adran Premier is a great way for you to familiarise yourself with the arrival of Women’s Football in FM26 and develop your skills. 

After 14 games, the league splits in two, with the top four teams contesting the Championship Conference and the bottom four competing in the Plate Conference to avoid relegation.

We’ve picked out Briton Ferry Llansawel because taking over the South-West Wales side will be a challenge. Battling established clubs like Cardiff City, Swansea City, Wrexham and TNS won’t be easy but achieving success against them will be the product of your tactical and recruitment abilities. 

FM26 brings more playable nations, leagues and clubs than ever before. 

These clubs offer you a range of possibilities but the choice is yours. Wherever you start, share your journey with us on our socials @FootballManager.

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Football Manager 26 is now available with a 40% discount across platforms.

FM26 (PC/Mac), FM26 Console (Xbox/PS5)* and FM26 Touch (Nintendo Switch)** are on sale until 18:00 BST on April 23rd. Sale end dates and times vary by platform.

Over the last six weeks, Football Manager 26 has received two data updates containing transfers from the January and February Transfer Windows alongside Current Ability, Potential Ability and Attribute changes for thousands of players and staff.

Several game additions and upgrades have also been introduced. Fixtures & Results and Youth Setup Overview cards can now be viewed full-screen, player roles can be adjusted directly within the Tactics Visualiser, and a range of quality-of-life improvements have been made across the UI.

You can continue previous careers from FM23 and FM24 into FM26 across platforms, allowing to further explore your save world while experiencing this season’s new features[www.footballmanager.com].

*FM26 Console (Xbox) is on sale until 23:59 BST on April 26th. FM26 Console (PS5) is on sale in the Europe and Middle East regions until 23:59 BST on April 22nd, with the promotional periods ending at 07:59 BST on April 23rd in the Americas and 15:59 BST on April 21st in Southeast Asia and Japan.

**FM26 Touch (Nintendo Switch) is on sale until 23:59 BST on April 22nd in the Europe and Middle East regions. The sale period ends at 07:59 BST on April 23rd in the Americas.