The new World Cup mode in FC 26 has finally arrived, bringing a full international tournament experience into the game with updated national squads, fresh presentation, and a completely redesigned competition structure. Almost every qualified nation is included, alongside surprise additions and some notable absentees, making each run feel unpredictable and unique.

For this playthrough, the journey centered around Brazil, one of the most iconic national teams in football history. With stars like Neymar Jr. returning to the squad and a powerful attacking setup built around Vinícius Jr. and Raphinha, the goal was simple: win the World Cup on the greatest difficulty and bring the trophy back to Brazil for the first time in years.

A Fresh World Cup Experience in FC 26

From the moment the tournament begins, FC 26’s World Cup mode immediately stands out. The presentation has been refreshed with a clean, purple-themed UI and redesigned tournament menus. Even small details, like flag-based visuals in tables and rankings, help create a more authentic international feel.

What makes the mode even more interesting is the inclusion of unexpected national teams. Alongside traditional contenders like Brazil, France, and England, players can also encounter teams like Cape Verde, DR Congo, and other surprise qualifiers, adding variety to every group stage.

There’s also a flexible setup option that allows you to replace missing teams with others that didn’t qualify in real life, such as Italy, giving players more control over how their tournament unfolds.

Brazil’s Squad and Tactical Setup

Heading into the tournament, Brazil’s squad was built around pace, creativity, and attacking fluidity.

The starting XI featured:

Neymar Jr. as the central creative force

Vinícius Jr. leading the attack

Raphinha providing width and support

Éderson in goal for stability at the back

A balanced formation was chosen to maximize Brazil’s attacking potential while maintaining defensive structure against stronger opposition.

The bench also included younger talents like João Pedro, offering impact options late in games when energy and finishing power were needed most.

Group Stage: A Strong Start, Then Chaos

Brazil’s World Cup campaign began in Group C, facing a mix of unpredictable opponents, including Haiti, Scotland, and Morocco.

Opening Match vs Haiti

The tournament opener was exactly what Brazil needed. Despite early pressure from Haiti, Éderson made key saves to keep the score level. Once Brazil settled, the attacking trio took control.

Vinícius Jr. opened the scoring after a sharp counterattack, followed by a second goal that showcased Brazil’s fluid passing in the final third. Raphinha added another goal before halftime, effectively sealing the match.

Neymar eventually got his moment too, scoring after several missed chances earlier in the game. The 3–1 win gave Brazil a confident start to the tournament.

Shock Defeat vs Scotland

The second group match was far more dramatic. In a surprising turn, Brazil struggled to control the game and ended up losing 3–2 to Scotland in a simulated match.

The defeat immediately raised pressure heading into the final group-stage game, turning what should have been a comfortable qualification into a must-win scenario. Having plenty of FC 26 Coins can also be of great help to you.

Must-Win vs Morocco

The final group match against Morocco became a tense battle. Morocco’s defensive organization and pace on the counter made life extremely difficult for Brazil.

Brazil fell behind after a defensive lapse just before halftime and struggled to create clear chances for much of the game. However, Vinícius Jr. eventually equalized, bringing Brazil back into contention.

The turning point came late in the second half when João Pedro came off the bench and scored a crucial goal to put Brazil ahead. Vinícius later sealed the win, securing a 2–1 result and qualification to the knockout stages.

Knockout Stage Run: Momentum Builds

With qualification secured, Brazil’s confidence grew as the knockout rounds began.

Round of 16 vs Senegal

Senegal proved to be a tough opponent, with a strong defensive structure and physical midfield play. Brazil initially struggled to break through, but Vinícius Jr. once again delivered, scoring a decisive goal late in the match to secure progression.

Quarterfinal vs England

The quarterfinal was one of the toughest tests of the entire tournament.

England’s squad featured elite talent across the pitch, including Bellingham, Saka, and Kane. The match was intense from start to finish, with both teams trading momentum.

Brazil took the lead through Andrey Santos, but England equalized through sustained pressure. With the game hanging in the balance, Matheus Cunha came off the bench and scored a crucial late winner, sending Brazil into the semifinals.

Semifinal vs Portugal

Facing Portugal meant dealing with Cristiano Ronaldo and Rafael Leão, who had been one of the standout players of the tournament.

The match was tight and tactical, with both sides canceling each other out early. But once again, Neymar stepped up when it mattered most, controlling the tempo and creating chances in transition.

A counterattack finished by Vinícius Jr. broke the deadlock, followed by a second goal from Neymar himself to secure a dominant 2–0 win and send Brazil to the final.

The World Cup Final: Brazil vs Switzerland

In a surprising twist, Switzerland had made an incredible run to the final, knocking out major teams along the way. Despite being underdogs, they had shown discipline and efficiency throughout the tournament.

However, the final belonged to Brazil.

Vinícius Jr. opened the scoring with a composed finish after a quick attacking move. Neymar continued to orchestrate the attack, pulling strings in midfield and creating constant pressure.

By the second half, Brazil had complete control. Additional goals from Cunha and Neymar turned the match into a comfortable victory, with Switzerland unable to respond.

Brazil Are World Champions Again

At full time, Brazil were crowned World Cup champions in FC 26’s new mode. The performance combined attacking flair, tactical adjustments, and crucial contributions from both stars and substitutes.

Neymar finished as the emotional leader of the campaign, Vinícius Jr. delivered consistent goals in every knockout round, and João Pedro and Matheus Cunha provided key moments off the bench.

After a dramatic tournament filled with upsets, comebacks, and intense knockout matches, Brazil finally lifted the trophy once again—restoring their place at the top of world football in FC 26.