Are you ready to take on the challenge of Football Manager 2026 (FM26)? Every new edition of FM brings exciting opportunities to try unique FM26 save ideas, and this year is no different.
Whether you’re looking for a tough club rebuild or a long-term international road-to-glory journey, Football Manager 2026 has plenty of challenges waiting, Footballrover reports.
Two clubs have just made 2025/26 UEFA Champions League history, while 13 European nations are still waiting for their first representative in the group stage.
That’s where you come in. Can you be the manager to change their fortunes?
Historic FM26 Save Ideas: Pafos & Kairat
These two clubs wrote their names in the history books on 26 August 2025 by qualifying for the UEFA Champions League group stage for the very first time.
They’re the perfect “Day One” Football Manager 2026 saves idea.
1) Pafos FC (Cyprus)
A club on the rise, Pafos reached the UCL proper for the first time in history. Can you turn them into regulars on the European stage and challenge the big boys?
2) Kairat Almaty (Kazakhstan)
Kazakhstan’s most famous club has finally broken into the UCL group stage. The challenge now is to establish Kairat as a continental force and push them beyond underdog status.
Road-to-Glory Football Manager 2026 Saves Idea: 13 UEFA Nations Without a UCL Team
If you want the toughest FM26 save ideas, these 13 UEFA nations have never produced a club to reach the Champions League group stage.
Starting in one of these leagues is the ultimate long-term challenge.
3) Albania
Clubs like KF Tirana and Partizani dominate locally, but no Albanian side has ever cracked the UCL proper. Can you be the first?
4) Andorra
Tiny Andorra’s clubs often struggle in qualifiers. Taking FC Santa Coloma or Inter Club d’Escaldes all the way would be a fairytale run.
5) Armenia
Pyunik and Ararat are well-known domestically, but Armenian clubs always fall short in Europe. Can you finally put Armenia on the UCL map?
6) Bosnia & Herzegovina
Despite passionate fans and clubs like FK Sarajevo and Zrinjski, Bosnia has never had a group stage participant. Can you rewrite history?
7) Estonia
Flora Tallinn dominate at home, yet Estonian football remains invisible in Europe. A Champions League debut would be legendary.
8) Faroe Islands
Clubs like KÍ Klaksvík have shocked in Europe but still haven’t made the UCL proper. This may be the hardest but most rewarding FM26 challenge.
9) Georgia
Dinamo Tbilisi once reached European heights but never the modern Champions League. Can you restore Georgian football’s pride?
10) Gibraltar
Europe’s youngest football nation. Can Lincoln Red Imps or St Joseph’s make the impossible leap into the UCL?
11) Kosovo
Recognised by UEFA in 2016, Kosovo’s clubs are still new to European football. Drita or Ballkani could become trailblazers with your guidance.
12) Montenegro
Since independence in 2006, no Montenegrin club has gone the distance. Can you take Budućnost Podgorica or Sutjeska to history?
13) North Macedonia
Clubs like Vardar and Shkëndija have European pedigree but always fall just short. Can you change that in FM26?
14) San Marino
The ultimate FM save. San Marinese clubs start at the very bottom of Europe’s coefficient rankings. If you can get Tre Penne or La Fiorita to the UCL groups, you’ve completed Football Manager.
15) Wales
Despite The New Saints’ dominance, no Welsh club has ever reached the group stage. Can you make history with them or another Welsh side?
Start Your Football Manager 2026 Journey
Whether you begin with Pafos or Kairat after their Champions League breakthroughs, or dive into a brutal Road-to-Glory save in San Marino, Gibraltar, or the Faroe Islands, Football Manager 2026 offers challenges that will test even the most dedicated players.
This is the year to create your story in FM26. Which of these FM26 save ideas will you take on first?
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