The average FM player will often find a league they enjoy managing in and stick to that league in every single edition of the franchise.
Typically, the major European leagues are the most popular, with the lure of the Champions League being the main factor to the choice of league.
Despite this, there are many leagues that remain untouched by players and can provide incredibly unique playing experiences for those bored of their usual saves.
Here at the Sporting Loft, we showcase the top five most underrated countries to manage in FM26.
5) Scotland
Four leagues are available at your disposal and there are numerous challenges you can give yourself in Scotland.
The Premiership offers the immediate challenge of dethroning Rangers and Celtic as the dominant forces in the country with budgets much lower at every other available team.
Climbing from League Two to the Premiership can test your team building skills and allow you access to many castoffs from the top-flight.
Providing a challenge both in Europe and domestically, the Scottish pyramid can provide a unique save for players looking for budget constraints and a nation that can grow with their success.
4) Australia
Unique rules and only a single continental title won by the nation’s clubs, Australia provides a strong challenge for even the most seasoned FM managers.
Limits on foreign player signings and requirements for academy players means your squad building has to be perfect not only to make the play-offs but also to win the grand final.
With the money being spent on the continent and the presence of huge talent in Asian continental competition, winning an Asian Champions League title will prove an uphill battle.
Can you match the achievement of Western Sydney Wanderers’ 2014 side and win a Champions League for Australia?
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3) Canada
The third available nation in CONCACAF region and the one with the biggest financial disparity from their neighbours, the Canadian Premier League is a huge untouched gem.
With the lack of funds to compete with the Mexican heavyweights and Lionel Messi spirited MLS outfits, your continental battle with be a test of tactical knowledge and defensive acumen.
Standout clubs such as Atletico Ottawa provide a unique playing experience, with the use of affiliate loans being a possible route to fast tracking your success.
With a number of Canadian outfits in the MLS, your challenge is to win the CONCACAF Champions League before the hugely rich neighbours that participate in the American system.
2) Ukraine
Forever the home of young Brazilian talent before their rise to the top of the European stage, Shakhtar Donetsk have proved a dominant force in Ukrainian football alongside their clashes with Dynamo Kyiv.
There is a huge financial gap between Shakhtar, Dynamo and the rest of the pyramid so your challenge is to create a third giant within Ukraine and push for more European glory.
Shakhtar took home the UEFA Cup in 2009, Dynamo won the UEFA Cup Winners Cup in both 1975 and 1986, and even Dnipro reached the Europa League final in 2015.
Can you bring home another European honour for Ukraine whilst beating your financially superior opponents?
1) Iceland
Iceland currently has no Professional outfits in their top-flight but has recently achieved European attention due to Breidablik’s qualification for two Conference League campaigns in three seasons.
The Icelandic top-flight has only 20 matches, so seasons in charge will fly by for managers who will need to make the most of limited resources.
However, the youth ratings and facilities available in the country rival their Scandinavian counterparts and could prove crucial for achieving domestic and continental success.
Can you be Iceland’s first European champion whilst working with hugely limited funds?
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