Athletic Bilbao on FM26 - The ULTIMATE Challenge
ONLY Basque players can play. Since 1911. NEVER relegated from La Liga. 24 Copa del Rey wins - 2nd record behind Barça. San Mamés, the Cathedral of football. Athletic is FM's most UNIQUE challenge in the world.
Why choose Athletic Bilbao?
Athletic Club is the most UNIQUE CLUB ON THE PLANET. Since 1912, one immutable principle: only sign players of Basque origin. No imports. No mercenaries. And yet, this club has NEVER been relegated from Primera Division. Never. Only Real Madrid and Barcelona can say the same. San Mamés (53,289 seats) is nicknamed the 'Cathedral' for a reason — the atmosphere is RELIGIOUS. Ernesto Valverde rebuilt the team until qualifying the club for the CHAMPIONS LEAGUE in 2025. And the 2024 Copa del Rey? A TITLE AFTER 40 YEARS OF DROUGHT. Beat Mallorca in the final on penalties, after four decades of pain. It's the most romantic and most insane project in European football.
The Basque policy
Only players born in the Basque Country (Biscay, Gipuzkoa, Alava, Navarre, Labourd, Soule, Lower Navarre) or trained in Basque academies can play. Even youth and women's teams follow this rule. It's a TOTAL challenge.
Tactics: Basque intensity and maximum directness
Athletic play a 4-2-3-1 or 4-4-2 with one of the highest pressing intensities in Spain. The Basque style means total physical commitment, winning duels, and embracing directness. No tiki-taka here — you play direct, win second balls, and get stuck into tackles. In FM26, max out pressing intensity, play in direct transitions, and bet on group cohesion over individual talent. The 100% Basque recruitment forces you to value your academy, to bet on unknown youngsters who'll become legends. It's hard. It's mad. It's BEAUTIFUL.
Objectives: cup and Europe
Never relegated in 120+ years. 24 Copa del Rey wins. The goal: add trophies while respecting the philosophy. It's FM's most NOBLE challenge.
Athletic Bilbao is AUTHENTIC football. No dirty money, no mercenaries, just Basque pride. Want to prove youth development can beat money? Aupa Athletic!