DLS 26 Review: Clans, Gameplay Changes & More

Dream League Soccer 2026 (DLS 26) is here, and the verdict is as polarised as a derby match. While the most expected updates like menu UI, Faces, and the DLS Clans paint a picture of a modern mobile football game, the underlying mechanics tell a more complex story. The views are very diverse, and with players present at both extreme ends of the verdict.

The DLS Clans: A New Beginning or a Gimmick?

The headline feature, DLS 26 Clans, was marketed as a revolutionary feature of the series. The reality is a mix of potential and disappointment. Some people find it an interactive way to make the game more team-oriented, while some feel there was no need for such features, and it is just fancy words brought to hide the incapability of developers to attract new features to the game.

Creating a clan needs a significant investment of 150 gems, and the rewards mean you barely break even in the first season unless your clan is highly active. The strict nomenclature rules of the clan make the clan admin feel very restricted, as the DLS 26 Clan relies heavily on invite codes or strict search filters.

The Goalkeeper Crisis

One of the most discussed issues in the new update in DLS 26 news is the goalkeeper AI. The goalkeepers seem prone to “brain fades”. The moment they come in defensive roles, all they do is extend their hand and legs wide while the ball passes next to them into the nets.

Well, the issue is so massive, we can expect the developers to deal with the issue in the upcoming update, surely.

Check Out: DLS 26 Mod

The new legendary stadiums are visually stunning, and the lighting effects during night matches are really commendable. The ability to inspect the stadiums and other facilities by just pinching around the screen and inspecting them as a 3-D model makes it more aesthetic.

Commentary

The addition of Arabic and Turkish commentary is a massive achievement for the game’s huge fanbase in the Middle East and Turkey. Although there are some concerns that the Arabic commentary feels very AI, the Credit sections clearly attribute the Arabic commentary to Dr Kamal Atteya. There may be a possibility that the developers might have used some AI features to enhance the tone, which may have made gamers believe that the commentary is AI.

Bugs

The setting for “Auto-Switch” seems inconsistent. Defenders sometimes switch automatically when you don’t want them to, pulling your CBs out of position. This is one of the most talked-about features in the game, along with the goalkeeper making a Spiderman pose as soon as the opponent takes the shot.

The Competition

FC Mobile: FC Mobile still holds the crown for licensing and events. However, DLS 26 wins on pure footballing terms. DLS allows you to build a team and play, whereas FCM is mostly involved in pack opening and building part; the game lacks any breakthrough gameplay improvements.

eFootball: eF Mobile remains at the top of the Mobile game with unbelievable, realistic physics and tactical depth. DLS 26 stands no chance near the game. The DLS 26 graphics have closed the gap, but eFootball’s face scans are still superior. But with these heavy storage and other hardware requirements make the game becomes more closed-ended to the users with low-end devices.

Pros	Clean UI & Customisable Kits and Logos
	A good ROI for F2P
	New Events will be interesting to watch for
Cons	No Groundbreaking Improvements
	No New Skills or in-game Additions
	Same Game New Name

Final Score: 7.5/10

• Graphics: 8/10
• Economy: 9/10
• Gameplay: 6/10
• Features: 7/10

What’s Next for DLS 26?

If one words describe the new update, it will be ‘The Safe Sequel’. At this point, the developers look like just running this franchise as the cash cow unit with no risk appetite or hunger to build more or better.

Dream League Soccer 2026 is a safe, calculated evolution. Other than bringing some polished features, faces upgrades, New Background and UI, it’s no more than just a Season Update.

For the DLS 26 iOS and Android player, the update was released between 31st November and 4th December. After inspecting the Apk file of the game, there is a high possibility of a massive Winter Update! Expect a massive event (similar to the Pink colored Dream Stars Event), probably in green colored cards. The files hint at more classic players, possible Irish Legends, and also more versions of the legends like Batistuta & Crespo.