Football Manager 2026 Secures Official FIFA License: World Cup, Women's World Cup, and Club World Cup Coming to Nintendo Switch

In a groundbreaking move aimed at elevating authenticity to truly global heights, Sports Interactive has announced a multi-year partnership with FIFA, football’s international governing body, to bring official licensing to the Football Manager series.

The announcement marks a significant milestone for the long-running franchise and ushers in a new era of realism, particularly for Nintendo Switch players. This pivotal agreement means that beginning with Football Manager 2026 (FM26), the series will feature official FIFA-branded competitions for the very first time.

Notably, FM26 will include legendary tournaments such as the FIFA World Cup, the FIFA Women’s World Cup, and the FIFA Club World Cup, expanding the reach and depth of the Football Manager experience across all major platforms, including its upcoming Nintendo Switch installment. The licensing deal will allow FM26 to integrate authentic tournament elements, including the original kits for all 48 national teams competing in the FIFA World Cup 26—the largest edition of the tournament in history.

According to a statement from Sports Interactive, fans can look forward to seeing official jerseys, broadcast graphics, and tournament branding meticulously recreated within the game's immersive environment once assets are available.

This level of detail aims to match the expectations of a dedicated and knowledgeable management game audience. The partnership also brings a significant update to the international management gameplay fans have come to expect.

A "playable, revamped international Management module" is set to debut as a content update for both FM26 and FM26 Touch, specifically ahead of the World Cup event.

This enhancement is designed to give players deeper control and a more authentic feel as they guide their teams through prestigious global competitions. FM26 Touch, the specialized version of the flagship title optimized for Nintendo Switch, is scheduled for a digital release on the eShop on December 4, 2026.

This new release is particularly notable following the cancellation of Football Manager 2025 earlier in the year, signaling a refreshed strategic focus for the franchise on the Switch platform.

With these innovations, Football Manager continues to strengthen its reputation for strategic depth and realism, particularly as FIFA's official competitions come to the hands of console managers worldwide. The partnership announcement arrives during a period of transition for football management games.

It follows the conclusion of FIFA's long-standing partnership with Electronic Arts (EA), making this deal with Sports Interactive especially significant.

As anticipation builds ahead of the FIFA World Cup 26—set to captivate fans in Canada, Mexico, and the USA—Football Manager 2026 positions itself as the definitive destination for strategic football enthusiasts and Nintendo Switch players eager for an authentic tournament experience.

Nintendo Switch Nintendo Nintendo Switch Sports Switch Switch Sports FIFA Football Manager Sports Interactive FIFA World Cup Football Manager 26 Touch eShop