5 EFL Career Mode save ideas you should try in EA FC 26 | OneFootball

We look at 5 EFL challenges you should try in EA FC 26 Career Mode.

With the release of EA Sports' yearly football game FC 26 just around the corner, we looked at five EFL clubs you should manage in your first Career Mode save.

It's that time of year again when EA drops their latest installment in their hit video game series 'FC' (formerly FIFA), with millions of football fans and gamers worldwide eagerly anticipating the launch of FC 26 on Friday September 19th.

The popular video game series has dominated the market for many years, thanks to it's hugely successful Ultimate Team game mode, which allows players to put together their dream squad, and contest opponents in competitive online matches.

However, we're deviating from FUT to focus on Career Mode, which has undergone huge revamps in FC 26, with a volatile manager market, challenging unexpected events, and brand-new authentic gameplay all being introduced in the latest installment of the game.

With the EFL's 72 teams fully licensed for you to play as, there are endless possibilities for entertaining career mode save ideas, and Football League World have selected five you should try when EA FC 26 drops.

Sheffield Wednesday

Of course, we've all seen the struggles that Sheffield Wednesday have endured this summer, as the irresponsible ownership of Dejphon Chansiri continues to plague the Steel City club.

The Owls are under a three-window embargo, meaning they can only sign free agents or loan players, and with a threadbare squad, the threat of relegation to League One is seemingly looming.

That's where you come in, taking charge at Hillsborough with the club under embargo, which can be set up in the pre-career menus. Your job is to keep Wednesday in the Championship, by only signing loan players and free agents.

You must then survive until January 2027 without being able to spend a fee on a player, with the end goal of creating a squad that's capable of challenging for promotion to the Premier League, which will be no easy task.

Oldham Athletic

Oldham Athletic are back in the EFL for the first time since 2022, having won promotion in a dramatic play-off final at Wembley last season, and they will undoubtedly be a popular choice for an English Career Mode save.

The former Premier League side are looking to climb their way back up the EFL ladder, and you could be the person to guide them back to the pinnacle of English football.

With a small budget in the first season, signings will have to be shrewd, with free agents and loans likely the most sensible port of call. The first job is to try and gain promotion to League One.

Build your squad with the yearly budget increases and rise through the EFL, unearthing young gems and making club legends along the way, until you eventually reach the promised land, and lift the trophy.

Wycombe Wanderers

Plenty of clubs are trying to emulate the business model that elevated Brentford to where they are today, and Wycombe Wanderers arguably have one of the most ambitious projects in the EFL, which could do just that.

With rich owners backing the club, and a heavy focus on developing young players whilst playing a modern possession-based style of football, your job is to be the person to lead the club through a transitional period, and make them better than Brentford.

Think outside the box for signings by looking into the European market, with most players you sign under the age of 25, meaning they have the potential to grow, and be sold on for a big profit.

With the reopening of the club's academy this summer, hire a youth scout to give you some homegrown gems, who can become club legends by working their way into your squad.

Barnet

The other new team in the EFL on FC 26 is Barnet, who are also returning to the game after a lengthy absence in the National League, and will probably again be a popular choice for a road to glory save.

Managing the Bees could make for a fantastic underdog story, as you look to make a miracle happen, and make the League Two side the very best team in European football over 15 seasons.

Similarly with Oldham, early signings will have to be shrewd as you will be working on a limited budget. Finding those cheap young gems that can be developed and sold for profit will be your bread and butter in a save like this.

It's your job to take this tiny club on the northern outskirts of London to heights they've never reached before, completing a sweep of all major trophies in 15 seasons, and building the best team in the world.

Reading FC

Reading finally got rid of Dai Yongge over the summer, who had the club's mere existence on the brink, after years of neglectful ownership. He handed over the reins to former Wycombe owner Rob Couhig in the summer, who has got off to a rollercoaster start.

Despite the club's stature, the budget to compete in League One hasn't been provided, and the Royals spending big fees on players is now a commodity, which is a problem you must try and work around.

You are Couhig's new appointment, as the club rebuilds after a rough period under previous ownership, trying to deliver strong results on the pitch, whilst working under tough budget constraints.