The latest update for EA Sports FC 26, version 1.1.0, really steps up the defensive gameplay, fixing some of the annoyances players have been dealing with. Two big improvements—better jockey responsiveness and smarter AI defense during kick-offs—make the game more balanced and fun to play.

Jockeying, the move where you shadow and pressure the attacker, feels way better now. Before, defenders reacted slowly, giving attackers too much room and making it tough to hold your ground. With this update, jockeying is more responsive, letting defenders move smoothly and react faster to what the attacker’s doing.

This makes manual defending more precise and also helps AI defenders close down opponents more intelligently. It’s now easier to contain opponents without always resorting to slide tackles or last-minute saves. Plus, these improvements help you earn more FIFA 26 coins as you play smarter and more strategically on defense.

The update also tackles the early-game weaknesses, especially during kick-offs. In previous versions, it was pretty common for opponents to score almost right after the match started because the AI defenders were too slow to react. With version 1.1.0, defenders become more proactive during kick-offs, better anticipating passes and positioning themselves smarter. This cuts down on those quick goals in the first moments, making matches feel fairer and more competitive right from the start.

All these changes show that EA Sports is really listening to players and working on fixing the core gameplay. The update makes sure both casual fans and competitive players can enjoy a more realistic football experience, where good positioning and timing actually matter. By boosting defensive mechanics and improving AI during kick-offs, FC 26 now mirrors real-world football more closely, making every match more exciting.

FC 26 version 1.1.0 definitely ramps up the defensive gameplay. With better jockey responsiveness and smarter kick-off defense, you can expect a fairer, more strategic game from the very first whistle.