EA Sports FC 26 has launched, bringing the virtual football world a fresh roster of players, teams, and leagues. However, the release has been marked by one glaring and puzzling omission for many fans the Brazilian superstar Neymar Jr. He has been one of the games most used players, possessing the best dribbling stats in the game as well as having 5 star skill moves and a 5 star weak foot.
So, why is one of the world’s most recognizable footballers missing from the game? The short answer comes down to a fundamental issue of licensing. After an injury stricken period at Al Hilal where he managed only 7 appearances in 1 and a half seasons at the club, the player and the club came to a mutual agreement to terminate his contract in January. He then decided to join his boyhood club Santos on a free transfer.
Neymar’s absence is EA Sports’ inability to secure a comprehensive licensing deal for the Brazilian domestic league. EA cannot legally include him or any other players from that competition in the standard game mode. This is a recurring and complex issue for EA in Brazil, a market known for its fragmented image and player rights.
Unlike many major European leagues, where a single deal can secure all team and player rights, the Brazilian football market is less centralized. Negotiating individual rights with multiple entities including image rights, team rights, and player rights makes the process significantly more challenging and costly. If you have noticed for years we have not had the Brasileiro Série A in the game as well as the Brazilian national team in kick off or career mode. It appears EA determined the investment required to secure the Brazilian league license was not strategically worthwhile, which in turn has blocked Neymar’s inclusion in the active club roster.
The only way that Neymar could join FC 26 is if he joins another league in January, however given his wages and injury history it is very unlikely any top club can afford to bring him in. It looks like the last year was Neymar’s final standard/Gold card. Unless he moves to a licensed league, fans must now cope without the Brazilian star until he potentially returns as an Icon in a few years.
