Scouting is at the heart of FC 26 Coins real-world football strategy. It defines long-term success and separates average clubs from great ones. While FC 25 offers a basic scouting structure, it fails to replicate the complexity and nuance seen in Football Manager titles. If EA wants to win over FM's loyal fanbase, FC 26 needs a smarter, deeper, and more realistic scouting system that mirrors modern football operations.

Current State: Functional but Shallow

In FC 25, scouting is handled by assigning scouts to specific regions or countries with broad search instructions—position, age, or traits. The scout then returns with a handful of players and general evaluations like “Promising” or “Good Potential.” It’s a process that becomes repetitive and lacks the level of control and nuance FM players are used to.

There’s no long-term planning, no competition from rival clubs, and no context-based scouting priorities. Once you’ve played a few seasons, the whole system begins to feel like a shallow mini-game rather than a key pillar of your managerial strategy.

What Football Manager Gets Right

Football Manager’s scouting system is layered and dynamic. Scouts have attributes that influence the quality of their reports. Recruitment analysts offer additional insights. Clubs must consider scouting reach, scouting budget, and work permit rules. There’s also real-time competition for targets—if a scout takes too long, another club might swoop in first.

Most importantly, FM allows managers to build a network. You’re not just finding players—you’re developing a scouting philosophy, expanding global influence, and preparing your squad for the future.

How FC 26 Can Transform Scouting into a Core Gameplay Mechanic

To elevate Career Mode, FC 26 should introduce several realistic and gameplay-rich scouting features:

 Attribute-Based Scout Profiles

Each scout should have detailed attributes—e.g., Judging Player Ability, Judging Potential, Tactical Knowledge, and Regional Familiarity. Better scouts return more accurate reports, faster results, and spot hidden gems others might miss.

Live Scouting Reports with Risk and Uncertainty

Instead of providing fixed ratings, scouting reports should offer a range of potential—e.g., “70–85 OVR potential.” As scouts continue to evaluate, the range narrows. This mirrors real-life uncertainty and introduces decision-making tension: do you gamble on a player early, or wait for better accuracy and risk losing him?

Competition from Rival Clubs

Scouting should feel like a race. If you delay too long, rival clubs can sign the player first. FC 26 should simulate other clubs actively scouting and bidding for buy FIFA 26 Coins talent, especially high-potential youngsters. This would create a dynamic, competitive recruitment market.