FM26 lets national-team scouts look for players beyond your current Shortlist through a Scouting Focus. Set a search around a squad need, then review the names it finds before planning a call-up. Football Manager's international feature guide explains what the update added.
Start with your National Pool
Open the National Pool and look at the players you already know. The National Shortlist helps you keep likely call-ups together; Player Discovery shows club form, scout ratings and what players expect from the next squad. If you have no convincing cover for a role, that is a useful question to give your scouts.
Set a search for the gap
Scouting Focuses work much like club Recruitment Focuses: you can adjust the search, and your national-team scouts look for players outside your existing Shortlist. Use the choices shown in your save to match the gap you found, whether you need cover now or want to watch younger players for later.
If you want to find players who may be eligible but have not committed to a nation, tick include undeclared players in the Focus. Football Manager's in-game guide shows that option and how to review the players it finds.
Review each player before you approach
- Check the role. Does the player solve the gap that prompted your search?
- Check the player's status. Look at eligibility and willingness in your save. A name on a scouting list is not an accepted call-up.
- Check current information. Player Discovery helps you compare club form, scout rating and international expectations.
- Decide what to do next. Keep a useful candidate on your Shortlist. For an eligible undeclared player, the in-game guide shows the Ask to Represent Nation action. Check the response before planning around them.
If the names returned do not answer your original squad question, change the search. The right first Focus is the one that addresses a gap you can see in your save; there is no need to follow a fixed nation-tier order.
Another list to check against your save
FAQ
What is a Scouting Focus in FM26?
It is an adjustable search for your national-team scouts. Use it to look for players beyond your existing Shortlist, then review the players they find in your save.
How do I look for players who have not declared?
Tick include undeclared players in your Scouting Focus. Review each result's status in your save; Football Manager shows how to ask a suitable player to represent your nation.
Does the Dual-National Finder read my FM save?
No. It suggests possible candidates, but it does not read your save or confirm who is eligible there. Check each player in-game before you approach them.