The 10 Worst Players in FM26

From Kylian Mbappé to Antony, there’s a huge range of ability at the very top level. Every fan has that one player who makes you leap off the sofa and another who makes you question why you even watch football in the first place.

But even the worst player at the club you support is miles ahead of the names I’ve found here.

These are the absolute bottom of the barrel on Football Manager 2026. Every single one of them has a current ability of ONE. For context, the average League Two player sits somewhere around 90.

These are players who feel like someone’s dragged a random bloke in off the street. If you stuck me into Football Manager, this is probably what you’d get.

Let’s take a look at some of the players none of us would sign in a million years.

(And yes – apologies in advance to anyone mentioned. I’m sure you’re not actually this bad, but the game has absolutely stitched you up here.)

Jake Huet

Let’s start with one of the worst I’ve found.

In his defence, he’s only 19, so there’s technically time to improve. On the other hand… he has no potential. So realistically, this is it.

If my centre-back had 3 heading, 3 acceleration and 2 strength, I’d be praying every time the ball went into the box.

He does have 11 decisions, though. If I were him, I’d use that to make the smart call and stop playing football immediately.

 

Wang Peihui

Wang is a true jack of all trades.

The problem is, he’s not particularly bad at anything… but he’s also not good at anything either.

2 dribbling, 3 strength, 4 balance – it’s not exactly ideal for a wing-back.

There are definitely players on this list I’d want less than Wang. But let’s not get carried away, he’s no Roberto Carlos.

 

Thomas Ngegba

I saw the acceleration and finishing and got excited.

Then I saw everything else and started trembling.

He has EIGHTEEN attributes rated at 1.

It doesn’t matter if he can theoretically finish when he has 1 concentration, 1 decisions and 1 positioning. He’s not getting into the right place to begin with.

His only saving grace is some vaguely average physicals. He should’ve stuck to running.

Even then, he’d probably miss the start gun.

 

Leon Croucher

There’s no doubt about it. Leon Croucher is a no-nonsense centre-back.

Mainly because he has no choice.

With 1 passing, 1 technique and 1 composure, he won’t be playing out from the back any time soon.

5 strength is also incredibly poor for someone whose entire job is supposed to be winning duels.

You can’t question his determination, though. I’m sure whatever career he ends up in outside of football, he’ll give it absolutely everything.

 

Jayden Blackwood

Jayden’s teammates must hate giving him the ball.

He can’t control it, his passing is dreadful, and he’s constantly out of position.

He does at least have decent leadership, so if I were his manager, I’d keep him as far away from the pitch as possible and let him do the talking instead.

Maybe retire at 24 and get started on those coaching badges. Long-term, it’s a much better plan.

 

Tom Meredith

One of the more “decent” players on this list, which says a lot.

He’s slightly more rounded, and there aren’t quite as many 1s (heading being the exception). But as a midfield playmaker, the supposed heartbeat of the team, he’s hardly inspiring.

He can barely run, isn’t great on the ball, and his first touch is poor.

Natural fitness is excellent, though. I bet his Strava looks unbelievable.

 

Tom Jones

It’s not unusual to be loved by anyone.

It is unusual, however, to be this bad on Football Manager.

A box-to-box midfielder who can’t dribble, finish, head, tackle or pass is… problematic.

The only reason he’s still in the game, I’m guessing, is because of his physical attributes.

He’s also incredibly aggressive. If there’s one player here I’d back to get sent off within five minutes, it’s Tom Jones.

 

Carlos Páez

I’m sorry… but you cannot be called Carlos Páez and be this bad.

You’d better hope the only thing he’s asked to do is finish, because he’s not contributing anything else.

He can’t tackle, can’t pass, and can’t anticipate anything. You’ll need to put chances on a plate for him and even then, there’s no guarantee he stays on his feet.

Long shots? Forget it.

I counted a record 18 attributes rated at 1.

Impressively bad.

 

Scott Pugh

I can’t argue with that acceleration and finishing, that’ll do at a certain level.

The problem is, lower-league football is full of absolute units. And Scott is going to get bullied everywhere he goes with that strength.

With that level of strength and bravery, I’m not entirely convinced a contact sport is the right career choice.

 

David Danso

An aggressive centre-back with great fitness.

Shame he can’t do anything with the ball.

1 composure, 1 passing, 1 vision. It’s a tough watch.

His work rate is also 1, which might actually be the most offensive part. If you’re this bad technically, the absolute minimum you can do is run around a bit.

Apparently not.

 

Conclusion

Once again, this is purely about in-game profiles, not the real players themselves.

You could go on to have brilliant careers and make Football Manager look ridiculous for ever rating you this low.

But the reality is, FM26 has decided, for whatever reason, that you’re worth a current ability of 1.

Which feels… harsh.

I’m not sure any real footballer is actually this bad.

Were these players better or worse than you expected from the absolute worst in the game? Let me know.

 

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