“My Experience With the Game Hasn’t Been the Best”: PSG.Vitality’s Brice Masson on EA SPORTS FC 26 esports

EA SPORTS FC 26 officially launched on September 26th, 2025, bringing major changes to the sport simulator franchise. In addition to introducing Authentic and Competitive gameplay presets, the game also strived to refine the core gameplay experience. 

Following its release, many fans and players were curious to see how EA SPORTS FC 26 would impact the casual and professional scenes.

“The most significant changes are the removal of Time Finish,” Brice commented. “Which has improved the consistency of finishing, and the elimination of the long-shot trivela, which was previously very powerful. As a result, we now need to adapt and identify new ways to create and convert shooting opportunities effectively.”

Despite the changes made, EA SPORTS FC 26 did not receive universal praise. With the review score on Steam sitting at ‘mixed’ as of writing, players found some mechanics, such as passing and defence, frustrating to play against.

Even in 2026, fans continue to express concerns surrounding new features such as auto-defence in public forums. In the game, options such as auto-clearances, legacy defending, and pass-block assistance allow players to perform actions automatically or with minimal input, giving players an added advantage.

Esports Insider was curious to gauge Brice’s thoughts on EA SPORTS FC 26’s gameplay and how it compares to previous instalments. 

“Personally, my experience with the game hasn’t been the best,” the pro player shared. “While the overall gameplay feels coherent, the automatic defence, which manages defending without manually switching players, is far too strong and shouldn’t be as dominant.

“I hope the strength of the automatic defence will be reduced. For me, manual defending and the timing it requires is a key skill factor of the game, and dialling back the automatic defence would help preserve that competitive depth.”

Brice is a veteran in the EA SPORTS FC esports scene, with some of his earliest professional matches dating back to 2021. However, 2025 saw the player make a splash in the scene following the launch of the 2025 edition of the sports simulator game. 

One of the highlights of his career took place last August, during the EA SPORTS FC 25 season. The French pro player placed runners-up at the FC Pro 25 World Championship during the Esports World Cup after securing a spot through the eLique 1 2025 partner league. 

Despite losing to Team Liquid’s Manuel ‘ManuBachoore’ Bachoore in the Grand Final peaking at 109,000 viewers, Brice took home $150,000 (~£108,830) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, the highest amount earned in his career so far. 

“I’d say that competing in this World Cup, which was my first, was already a tremendous source of pride,” Brice added. Finishing in the top two in the world is an even greater accomplishment, even if my goal was to take first place. 

“Overall, the season was very successful for me, marked by consistently strong performance in every tournament.”

Following the highs of the 2025 season, Brice has faced various challenges in 2026.Recently, the player placed between 17th and 20th in the FC Pro 26 Open, missing out on the spots offered for the FC Pro 27 Open and this year’s FC Pro 26 World Championship. 

However, he is not out of the race just yet. Brice is set to compete in eLigue 1 2026 under Paris Saint Germain (PSG), an organisation that has significantly expanded its esports branch’s presence in recent years. The league offers the top-performing team a spot at the FC Pro 26 World Championship. 

When asked about how he will approach future events to achieve better results, Brice shared that he plans to focus on ‘in-game decision-making’ to improve ‘overall performance.’ 

Brice first joined French esports organisation Team Vitality back in June 2024. Since then, he has represented the brand across multiple high-profile EA FC events, including DreamHack Summer 2024, the FC Pro 25 circuit, and the eChampions League 2025. 

Last September, Team Vitality also entered into a long-term partnership with PSG’s esports division, rebranding its EA Sports FC roster to PSG.Vitality.

“I believe they’ve played a major role in my development,” Brice stated “Being part of this organisation was one of my dreams, and I never wanted to let them down, so I’ve always given my best to honour the trust they placed in me. 

“When I heard that Vitality and PSG  were partnering, I was thrilled because PSG is my favourite football club. I couldn’t imagine a better organisation to represent.”

Should Brice reach the FC Pro 26 World Championship, he is a contender to look out for. That said, only time will tell whether he can go all the way and secure the champion title this year. 

With potentially thousands of viewers watching the FC Pro circuit unfold this year, Esports Insider asked what advice Brice would give to any aspiring players who dream of competing professionally in EA FC 26 and future instalments. 

“My advice is never to give up and believe in yourself and the work you put in,” he said. “What truly makes the difference is both the quantity and quality of your practice. 

“Not everyone has the natural talent of a world number one, but success comes to those who consistently work hard, stay ready to seize opportunities, adapt quickly, and develop a deep understanding of the game at the highest level.”