The inclusion of licensed Brazilian teams in EA Sports FC (formerly the FIFA series) has always been a topic of great interest for virtual football fans in Brazil. With the arrival of EA FC 26, the next edition of the game set to be released in 2025, many speculations and negotiations are underway. In this text, we will explore the current state of the negotiations, the possible clubs involved, and the confirmations we have so far.
The Current Negotiation Landscape
Since EA Sports lost the exclusive FIFA license in 2023, the company has been seeking individual agreements with leagues, federations, and clubs. In Brazil, the situation is complex due to image rights, which are often controlled by third parties or the athletes themselves.
According to sources close to the negotiations, EA Sports is in contact with CBF (Brazilian Football Confederation) and some major clubs in the country to finalize partnerships. The goal would be to include at least the top teams from Series A and B, with real names, badges, uniforms, and stadiums. However, the amounts involved and the bureaucracy are still significant obstacles.
Which Teams Are Already Confirmed?
So far, few official confirmations have been released, but some indications point to progress:
Flamengo and Palmeiras – Two of the most popular clubs in Brazil have been in advanced negotiations for EA FC 24 and 25. There is an expectation that both will renew their agreements for EA FC 26, maintaining full licensing.
São Paulo and Corinthians – Other giants of Brazilian football are also on EA's radar. Corinthians, for example, has already had its stadium (Arena Corinthians) in previous versions, which increases the chances of a return.
Grêmio and Internacional – Traditional teams from the South are also targets, but they depend on agreements with the groups that manage their image rights.
Additionally, EA Sports has already confirmed that the Brazilian league (Brasileirão Assaí) will continue with partial licensing, which means that some teams will have generic names or players not fully licensed.
The Challenges for Full Licensing
The biggest problem for the inclusion of all Brazilian teams in EA FC 26 remains the fragmentation of image rights. While in Europe most clubs negotiate as a block (like the Premier League or La Liga), in Brazil each team has its own marketing scheme. Some teams outsource their rights to companies like Toffee (from Grupo Globo) or Fortaleza Futebol, which makes a unified agreement difficult.
Another hurdle is the cost. EA Sports prioritizes more profitable leagues in the international market, such as the Premier League and Bundesliga. The financial return of including all Brazilian teams is still questioned by the developer, which needs to balance budget and demand.
What Can Fans Expect?
If negotiations proceed positively, it is possible that EA FC 26 will bring:
More licensed Brazilian teams (at least 6 to 8 from Series A).
Iconic stadiums, such as Maracanã, Allianz Parque, and Morumbi.
Players with real names, although some may still be replaced by generics due to individual rights.
However, it is unlikely that we will see complete licensing like that of the Argentine League or MLS. The most probable path is a gradual improvement, with EA closing contracts year by year with the most popular clubs.
Conclusion
While there are no official announcements of major changes, negotiations for EA FC 26 are ongoing, and the trend is that there will be more Brazilian teams than in recent editions. Fans can stay alert for possible leaks or announcements from EA Sports in the coming months, but for now, the scenario remains one of caution and hope.
If EA can finalize agreements with the top clubs, EA FC 26 could become the most "Brazilian" edition of the franchise in years – but for that, there is still a long way to go.