Following the full release of Football Manager 2026, many players are clambering to find their new long-term save that will take them deep into the games lifecycle.
Yet for the players who are gluttons for punishment we have some saves that will certainly provide an immense challenge and likely take a number of in-game decades to complete.
We won’t be talking about the obvious entries such as National League road to glories or the pentagon challenge as here at the Sporting Loft we look to up the ante.
5: The Viking Challenge
A time limit makes every single FM save harder and this save is no different.
The Viking challenge has a 15-season limit and sends the player on a journey across Scandinavia.
You must win the top division title in Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Finland and Iceland alongside bringing home a Champions League title within the time limit.
However, you cannot fast track to a top team in this save, you MUST start unemployed and work your way up by winning trophies.
Objectives:
- Win all five top division titles
- Win the UEFA Champions League
- Complete within 15 seasons
4: FC Vaduz
An old classic and a legend of the hardest save category for Football Manager is winning the Champions League with FC Vaduz.
As Liechtenstein does not operate its own football league, all Liechtensteiner clubs play in the Swiss football pyramid as ‘guest’ clubs.
Yet these clubs are unable to qualify for European football through the pyramid and have to win the Liechtenstein cup, which grants the winner a place in the UEFA Conference League qualifiers.
Which means the pathway for a Champions League win looks like this:
- Win the Liechtenstein cup
- Win the Conference League
- Win the Europa League
- Win the Champions League
Oh and if you can’t do that consecutively? Straight back to the Conference League qualifiers.
FC Vaduz is not a save for the faint hearted but definitely one to test your ability to the max.
3: Red Bull Quadruple
As the Red Bull football ecosystem continues to expand we are presented for the first time with four separate continents represented by Red Bull outfits.
On paper the save is simple: win the elite continental competition in Asia, North America, South America and Europe with Red Bull clubs.
However, yet again a time limit is imposed with all competitions needed to be won in 20 seasons.
The editor is permitted to move clubs but for no other purpose should it be used.
Players should start at Red Bull Omiya Ardija and work their way towards Europe via their success.
Playable clubs:
- Asia – Red Bull Omiya Ardija
- North America – New York Red Bulls
- South America – RB Bragantino
- Europe – RB Leipzig or RB Salzburg
2: You can’t win anything with kids
If you think the game is too easy because the winning formula is always, sign wonderkids, win games, profit, then this challenge is for you.
You must take a team from the sixth tier of English football to Premier League winners but you cannot sign a single player.
Every player you inherit at the club will be via your yearly youth intake which will severely restrict the quality and quantity of players you bring into your squad.
This is a huge test of tactic making as you will have no control over the players coming in and will test your ability to nurture these youngsters into first team regulars.
You must not save and reload your intake until you are satisfied as this defeats the challenge.
Objectives:
- Cultivate a squad of homegrown players
- Upgrade to the best facilities and recruitment in the country
- Win the Premier League without signing a single player
1: The Welsh conquerors
With the introduction of women’s football to FM26 and the subsequent introduction of the Adran Premier, a new challenge emerges only for those tough enough to take it on.
You must select one of the following clubs:
- Aberystwyth Town
- Barry Town
- Briton Ferry Llansawel
- Pontypridd United
With your selected club you must win the UEFA Women’s Champions League before then taking over the men’s team and winning the Champions League as well.
This will properly test your football manager pedigree and test your ability to cultivate a strong squad in both the women’s and the men’s game.
Due to work permit restrictions you will need to be savvy with your transfer business but should you complete this challenge it will no doubt be one of the finest achievements possible in FM.
