Women's national teams became playable in FM26 with the May 2026 international-management update. Check the jobs and calendar in your game before choosing a project. Football Manager's feature guide explains what the update added.
Find your starting point
- Choose a job you can see. Open the available national-team jobs and look at the competitions that nation can enter in your save.
- Read the player pool. Check the eligible players, their positions and the places where you have little cover.
- Check the next fixture. The game shows your actual calendar and squad-registration rules. Let those dates and limits guide the first selection.
- Scout a gap. If the pool lacks cover in a role, use the National Pool and Scouting Focus to look for other eligible players.
Build around your available players
Do not assume that a squad formula from another nation, tournament or save will fit yours. Start with the players you can actually select and the roles you want them to fill. If you have only one natural player in a position, decide whether to find another or adjust your shape.
Cover your first XI
Name the side you would use for the next match, then check who could replace each starter. A versatile player helps only if she can play the role you will ask of her in your save.
Use the club information you have
Look at each player's minutes, condition and recent form before an international window. Those details can change between selections, so check them again before the next match.
Prepare for the opponent
FM26's Match Preparation lets you choose in-possession, out-of-possession and set-piece priorities. Pick the one or two problems most likely to affect your next fixture instead of trying to change the whole side in one camp.
Choosing a national-team job
If you want a short-term tournament run, look for a nation with the players and competition path you want in this save. If you prefer a longer project, look at the age and depth of the eligible pool. The available jobs and expectations are in the game; a fixed ranking of nations would not tell you what your save offers.
Before you submit a squad
Read the registration screen for the competition in front of you. The 2026 men's World Cup example elsewhere on this site is not a rule for every women's competition in FM26.
- Check eligibility. A suggested player may not be available for your nation or your save.
- Check cover. Make sure the bench can replace players in the roles your tactic needs.
- Check readiness. Look again at fitness and recent minutes before locking the list.
- Check the rules. Use the game's squad size and deadline for this competition, not a number borrowed from another tournament.
FAQ
Can I manage a women’s national team in FM26?
Yes. FM26 added playable women's national teams in its international-management update. Check the available jobs in your game.
Which nations and competitions can I play?
Open the jobs list and competition calendar in your save. They show the teams you can manage and the fixtures ahead of them.
Are women’s clubs playable too?
Yes. Football Manager lists playable women's club leagues including the WSL, NWSL, Frauen-Bundesliga and Spain's top two divisions. See its league list for the version you play.