eFootball 2026: A quick guide to understanding AI Player Playing Styles

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If you’ve been playing eFootball 2026, you’ve likely seen “AI Playing Styles” listed on player cards. Many players find this feature confusing – does it actually impact how the game plays, or is it just extra detail? Let’s explain it in a straightforward way and share my understanding of how it works.

What are AI Playing Styles for your players in eFootball 2026

In eFootball, AI Playing Styles define how a player acts when the game’s AI controls them with the ball. Essentially, it dictates their movements, dribbling, passing, and attacking choices when they aren’t directly controlled by a player.

This applies when:

  • You are controlling a different player on the pitch
  • The team is partially AI-controlled
  • You are using Auto Control (Manager Mode previously)

This doesn’t affect how the player feels when you’re directly controlling them. And, unlike a player’s general style of play, a single card can utilize multiple AI playing styles.

List of AI Playing Styles

We currently have a decent number of AI Playing Styles. The list is below:

Trickster

As a fan, I’m really excited to see this player’s style! He’s always looking to show off some flair with skill moves and tricky dribbling. When the AI controls him, you can expect lots of step-overs, quick changes of direction, and him just generally trying to take defenders on with the ball at his feet.

Mazing Run

He enjoys pushing the ball into the opponent’s half. These players advance with the ball quickly, using skillful dribbling and quick changes of direction to get past defenders.

Speeding Bullet

This player relies on quickness. When they have room to run, they’ll immediately accelerate and try to push forward with speed.

Incisive Run

This setup is ideal for wingers who like to move towards the center of the field. These players prioritize getting into scoring positions over staying out on the sidelines.

Long Ball Expert

This player generally avoids quick, short passes, preferring to switch the field with longer passes or find teammates making runs down the field.

Early Crosser

He’ll look to cross the ball into the box as soon as he sees a chance, instead of trying to run with it all the way to the edge of the field.

Long Ranger

If given space outside the box, he won’t hesitate to try a shot from distance.

Does AI Playing Style affect you when you are in control

AI Playing Styles are designed to affect how a player behaves when the game controls them. There’s no solid evidence they change anything when you are controlling the player’s movements or shots. But, based on what many players have noticed, it sometimes seems like these styles don’t have a noticeable impact.

My player, nicknamed ‘Gerd Müller’, makes a lot more forward runs than most traditional strikers. I think this is because his AI playing style is set to ‘Speeding Bullet’.

When I take control of Müller, his off-ball movement is noticeably quicker and more assertive. He makes much more dynamic runs forward, almost as if the game’s programming is telling him to immediately exploit open space.

With the Speeding Bullet tactic, you don’t have to directly control the player’s movements. The AI will manage the other ten outfield players, and that’s when you’ll really see the tactic’s impact – especially in how players make runs when building up an attack.

Although we don’t fully understand the extent of the effect, AI Playing Styles noticeably change how AI-controlled players move and make choices during a game. Therefore, considering these styles when selecting players is a smart strategy.

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2026-02-18 21:42