One of the most annoying moments for EA Sports FC 26 players is when you concede a goal right after the kick-off. People call it the “kick-off goal,” and it’s been a common gripe in the community, often making players feel helpless before they’ve even done anything with the ball. So why does this happen, and what has EA done to try and fix it with recent updates?
The main reason behind these kick-off goals has to do with how players and the defensive AI are positioned right after the match kicks off. Usually, defenders are pushed higher up the pitch, leaving some big gaps between midfield and the back line. Since the ball starts in the center, attackers can quickly take advantage with fast passes or direct runs. Skilled players use speed dribbling, skill moves, or through balls to slip past defenders before the AI has a chance to react or reposition.
In older versions of the game, AI defenders often didn’t track attackers well during those first few seconds. Their slow response gave opponents a free run through, and they’d often score almost immediately. This was especially noticeable online, where latency and reaction times make the problem worse. Because of this, lots of players saw kick-off goals as unfair, feeling that the defensive setup didn’t really have a chance to settle before conceding.
To fix this, EA Sports FC 26 version 1.1.0 brought in smarter AI behavior right after kick-off. Now, defenders react faster to forward passes and aggressive dribbling, and midfielders track runners more effectively. This change helps cut down on those quick, unfair goals and encourages players to think more strategically in the opening moments instead of just relying on speedy, exploitative attacks.
All in all, kick-off goals in FC 26 usually happened because of unbalanced positioning and slow defensive reactions at the start of the game. With the latest updates, EA has made some real improvements to make sure both teams start on a more even footing. Matches now kick off with a more realistic feel, giving defenders a fair shot to get organized before everything gets chaotic—a change that’s welcome whether you’re a casual fan or into competitive play, and you can earn some FC 26 Coins along the way.