EA FC 26 will be officially announced on September 26th, marking the beginning of a new chapter for the game and the end of FC 25. Many people consider EA FC series, or even FIFA series, to be long-awaited releases, much like CoD series, but FIFA actually dates back much longer.
FIFA series dates back to 1993, when it was still a pixel-based single-player game with a strong competitive feel. So, what changes have been made to the series over the years? And when did online play and the use of EA FC 26 coins to open card packs be introduced?

Origin (1993-1999)
FIFA International Soccer (1993)
The first game in FIFA series, featuring only national teams and unlicensed players, was released for Sega Genesis and SNES.
FIFA Soccer 95 (1994)
FIFA 95 was the first to include official licenses from the six major leagues, including Premier League and Bundesliga. While they could use teams' real names, the players had not yet been licensed, so the names remained fictitious.
FIFA Soccer 96 (1995)
FIFA 96 was a revolutionary generation, pioneering the transition from pixel-based games to 3D. While the graphics may still seem crude to us, it was a groundbreaking title at the time. It also featured the first licensed player names.
FIFA 97 (1996)
Added an indoor football mode, the predecessor of VOLTA Football.
FIFA: Road To The World Cup 98 (1997)
FIFA 98 received the first full FIFA license, introduced the offside rule, and debuted "Road to World Cup" mode, featuring 172 national teams.
FIFA 99 (1998)
The indoor football mode was canceled, and "European Dream League" was introduced. This mode, which had not yet been licensed as a Champions League, served as an alternative league. The game also featured adjustments to the AI and improved the pace of play.
FIFA 2000 (1999)
Major League Soccer mode was added, attracting more players.
Exploration Phase (2000-2009)
FIFA 2001 (2000)
Real team crests were introduced for the first time, the PC version supported online play, energy gauges were added, and player AI was enhanced. However, frequent bugs led to a decline in reputation.
FIFA Football 2002 (2001)
Added a pass power meter and improved physics.
FIFA Football 2003 (2002)
FIFA 2003 featured significant graphical improvements and added a Club Championship mode.
FIFA Football 2004 (2003)
Career Mode launched, allowing players to coach lower-league teams to the top flight.
FIFA Football 2005 (2004)
FIFA 05 added one-button control, making passing, dribbling, and other actions faster and easier to perform with a single button press.
FIFA 06 (2005)
FIFA 2006 offered data on over 2,000 clubs and over 20,000 players, allowing fans and players to fully experience the thrill of being a professional manager. (This gameplay was later developed into the spin-off game, FIFA Manager.)
FIFA 07 (2006)
FIFA 07 introduced a new career mode, allowing players to choose their starting country, and a new "free camera" mode, as well as improved on-field atmosphere and commentary.
FIFA 08 (2007)
Added a building-block system, allowing players to control a single player.
FIFA 09 (2008)
The most significant version introduced FIFA Ultimate Team. It can be said that the various player cards and the ability to trade players using FIFA 25 and FIFA 26 coins originated in this generation.
FIFA 10 (2009)
FIFA 10 introduced some gameplay reforms. This era of FIFA was largely overshadowed by Pro Evolution Soccer because of its poor balance between casual and hardcore players, resulting in a poor reception.
Technological Innovation (2010–2023)
FIFA 11 (2010)
This marked a turning point, ushering FIFA 11 into the next generation. The game featured an industry-leading 360-degree dribbling mechanic, allowing players to control the ball more precisely and adding player personality.
FIFA 12 (2011)
FIFA 12 added a new tactical defensive design, a more precise dribbling system, and smarter player interactions.
FIFA 13 (2012)
FIFA 13 allowed you to assume the role of national team coach in manager mode and redesigned set pieces.
FIFA 14 (2013)
FIFA 14 improved physics, shooting mechanics, and animations.
FIFA 15 (2014)
FIFA 15 featured a dynamic pitch.
FIFA 16 (2015)
Introduced the women's national football team for the first time and performed motion capture on players like Messi (including female players).
FIFA 17 (2016)
FIFA 17 switched to Frostbite engine and introduced the story mode "The Journey."
FIFA 18 (2017)
FIFA 18 added the timely shot mechanic and included copyrights from Champions League, Chinese Super League, and other competitions.
FIFA 19 (2018)
FIFA 19 added the timely shot mechanic and included more copyrights from Champions League, Chinese Super League, and other competitions, with the best graphics ever.
FIFA 20 (2019)
Home Football mode was reborn, returning as VOLTA Football.
FIFA 21 (2020)
Added Agile Dribbling feature to optimize Career Mode.
FIFA 22 (2021)
FIFA 22 introduces HyperMotion technology for an enhanced gaming experience.
FIFA 23 (2022)
The final game in FIFA series. Because of the expiration of the partnership agreement with FIFA and the lack of agreement on licensing fees, FIFA 23 is the last game to bear FIFA name.
Rebranding (2023-Now)
EA FC 24 (2023)
FIFA series has been renamed EA FC series. The rebrand retains a significant number of licensed players, teams, stadiums, and leagues, meaning the game content and experience remain largely unaffected.
EA FC 25 (2024)
A new 5v5 Rush mode replaces Volta Street and is integrated into all modes, including Career and Unstoppable. The game also introduces FC IQ tactical system, making it easier for players to plan their offense and defense.
EA FC 26 (2025)
This upcoming game will eliminate the playoffs, introduce FUT Champs Challengers, and most importantly, introduce an Archetypes system to replace the skill tree, with 13 player archetypes currently available.
EA FC series is one of the best football games available today because it consistently improves with each passing year, consistently utilizing the latest technology. That's why FC 26 is so exciting. So, which starting player will you be saving your FUT 26 coins for?