Sports Interactive has announced that International Management will officially return to Football Manager 26 on May 26 as part of a free update, but the studio is also using the moment to openly acknowledge the broader frustrations many players have had with FM26 since launch.
In a lengthy statement from Studio Director Miles Jacobson, the longtime face of the franchise addressed criticism of the game’s UI overhaul, immersion issues, and overall direction following the series’ transition to Unity.
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The upcoming update will bring back the ability to manage national teams and introduce official FIFA World Cup 2026 branding, broadcast graphics, licensed kits, and the official match ball. However, Sports Interactive clarified that some licensed kits may not be available immediately due to ongoing approval processes. A second update planned for June is expected to finalize additional licensed assets and implement official 26-man World Cup squads.
While the return of international management will likely excite longtime players, Jacobson made it clear that the mode is not yet where the team at SI wants it to be.
“While the mode represents an improvement on FM24, the full revamp will not be realised at launch and will instead be developed further over time,” Jacobsen said.
Miles Jacobsen Acknowledges Players’ Frustration With FM26
The statement then shifted to a broader reflection on FM26 itself, with Jacobson openly admitting that many fans were disappointed by the game’s redesigned interface and navigation changes. According to him, the studio’s goal was to create a smoother, more unified UI experience across all platforms, but the end result “was ultimately detrimental to some of your experiences.”
Since launch, Sports Interactive has rolled out several updates to FM26, addressing several concerns. This has included redesigning screens and restoring removed functionality. Jacobson argued that many of those changes would not have been possible without the move to Unity, though he also acknowledged the game still hasn’t reached the standard players expect from Football Manager.
“That said, we know that what we released has failed to meet the expectations of many,” he said. “You expect nothing less than excellence from Football Manager, and that’s what the brand stands for. But, despite all the updates thus far, we haven’t got to that level.”
Looking ahead, Sports Interactive says immersion will become a major focus for future releases, including improvements to the game world, UI navigation, and presentation overall.
Published: May 11, 2026 11:00 am