During gameplay in FC26, when closing down an AI-controlled player who has possession, the ball is often won back simply by getting near them. There’s no need to perform a tackle, shoulder charge, or even press for the ball—just proximity alone causes the AI to lose control.
Environment:
- Platform: PS5
- Mode: Authentic / Slider Gameplay
- Settings: Authentic Mode
- Difficulty: Legendary, World Class, Ultimate (Competitive Mode ON)
- Defending: Advanced
Steps to Reproduce:
- Play any match against AI (tested across multiple difficulties).
- Allow the AI to gain possession of the ball.
- Move your controlled player toward the AI without performing any tackle or pressure action.
- Observe that the ball is lost by the AI as soon as you get close.
Expected Result:
AI should maintain possession unless the player applies pressure, tackles, or physically contests the ball.
Actual Result:
AI instantly drops possession when a player merely approaches, making defending unrealistically easy.
Additional Insights:
- Occurs regardless of AI difficulty level (tested on Semi-Pro to Legendary).
- Happens most frequently in open-field situations, though also reproducible near the box.
- The issue breaks game balance, as it removes the need for defensive timing or positioning.
- Might be related to AI ball control or shielding response not triggering when under proximity pressure.