For dedicated EA Sports FC players, the Companion App and Web App aren’t optional extras — they have become a core part of the ritual.

The season doesn’t begin when EA Sports FC 27 launches; for many, it begins the moment these apps go live. For the most committed Ultimate Team fans, early access is everything: it’s the chance to start building a squad, trade on the market and complete early Squad Building Challenges days before a ball is kicked.

By the time the full game arrives, they’re already logging in to a club that’s up and running — its a head start that goes hand-in-hand with the main release and has become a hugely popular part of how fans experience each new FC.

Here’s what both tools do, who can access them, and when they’re expected to launch for FC 27.

When Do Companion & Web App Go Live for FC 27?

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EA has not yet confirmed exact dates for the FC 27 apps, but the release pattern is now firmly established. For FC 26, the Web App came online on September 17, 2025, with the Companion App following a day later on September 18 — both landing roughly a week ahead of the game’s worldwide launch.

With FC 27 confirmed for Friday, September 25, 2026, and early access beginning September 18, the apps are expected to follow the same pattern. That points to a Web App launch in the region of Wednesday, September 16 or Thursday, September 17, with the Companion App expected to arrive on mobile the following day.

EA typically brings the apps live in the early evening UK time — FC 26’s Web App went live around 8:00pm CET — meaning a similar late-afternoon or evening BST window looks likely. None of these FC 27 dates are official yet. EA usually confirms the exact timing in the days leading up to launch, often alongside the first gameplay deep dive, so treat the above as projections based on previous years rather than nailed-on fixtures.

What Are the Companion & Web App?

Both apps are free tools that let you manage your Ultimate Team club away from your console or PC, and for serious FUT players they’ve become as essential as the game itself.

The difference between the two is purely the platform: the Web App runs on any desktop or laptop browser via EA’s official site, while the Companion App is the mobile version, available on iOS and Android — putting your entire club in your pocket wherever you are. Functionally, they’re essentially the same.

You can’t play matches, but almost everything else is on the table. The excitement of opening packs, buying and selling on the Transfer Market, completing SBCs, managing Evolutions, adjusting tactics and formations, and claiming objectives and rewards are all available.

Many dedicated traders effectively run their entire club through the apps, dipping into the market throughout the day without ever loading the game. It’s this depth that makes the Companion App a must-have for anyone who wants to hit the ground running when the full game unlocks.

There is one important quirk to note: the Web App won’t function while you’re logged into Ultimate Team on your console or PC. You’ll need to exit UT and return to the main FC 27 menu before signing in on the browser.

How to Access the Apps Early

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Early access has plenty of perks, but it isn’t open to everyone. Based on EA’s long-standing eligibility rules, returning players will need to meet a set of conditions to log in before launch.

For FC 27, that is expected to mean you must have created an Ultimate Team club in FC 26 and logged in on your platform before August 1, 2026. Your FC 26 account must still exist — if you deleted your club, you lose the early start — and it must be in good standing, with no active bans or restrictions.

Players who qualify can start building their club and trading on the market as soon as the Web App goes live, days before the game itself unlocks. That window is gold dust for the most dedicated fans, who use it to complete starter SBCs, claim welcome rewards and make early market moves before prices climb. If you don’t meet the criteria, you’ll gain access once you’ve logged into FC 27 Ultimate Team on console or PC at launch.

How to Download the Companion App

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The Companion App is available to download for free from the Apple App Store and the Google Play Store. If you already have the FC 26 version installed, you won’t need a fresh download — EA rolls out an update that switches the app over to FC 27 automatically once the new cycle begins.

To connect your account, you’ll typically need to load FC 27 on your console or PC, head into Ultimate Team, create your club, and set up a security question before signing in on mobile. From there, your club syncs in real time across the app, Web App and your main platform.

With new head coach Andoni Iraola well underway with his pre-season preparations, the Spaniard will be keen to see his side return to the title fight, after a sub-par season last year saw the Reds finish the campaign empty-handed under the stewardship of Arne Slot.

Every season, fans are keen to find out which shirt numbers could be handed to Liverpool’s newest arrivals, and if any of the existing cohort will make a switch for the new campaign.

With several infamous numbers up for grabs, the final allocations could provide another clue as to how the Reds’ squad could look going into the season.

Goalkeepers

Having inially worn the No. 13 shirt for his first season on Merseyside, Alisson has retained the No. 1 shirt ever since he made the switch ahead of the 2019/20 season, and this year is set to be no different.

Giorgi Mamardashvili, however, will hope that the Brazilian’s shirt will be his in a year’s time, with the Georgian hoping for more minutes under Iraola, having only appeared in 10 Premier League matches last season.

Defenders

Action Images via Reuters

New signing Jeremy Jacquet will follow in the footsteps of Ibrahima Konaté and Daniel Agger by pulling on the No. 5 shirt after completing his £55 million move from Rennes this summer, with the number vacated after Konate’s move to Real Madrid, whilst fullback Milos Kerkez will retain his No. 6 shirt.

Dutch duo Virgil van Dijk and Jeremie Frimpong will also maintain their shirt numbers, wearing 4 and 30 respectively, while the likes of Joe Gomez, Conor Bradley and Kostas Tsimikas will also carry over their numbers from the previous campaign.

Midfielders

With very little action in the transfer market so far, it comes as no surprise that Liverpool’s midfield will all don the same shirts as previous seasons. Florian Wirtz will have the honor of sporting one of Liverpool’s most prestigious numbers, with the likes of Kevin Keegan, Kenny Dalglish and Luis Suárez all having worn the No. 7 shirt previously.

Dominik Szoboszlai channeled his inner Steven Gerrard last season after scoring six goals and assisting a further seven whilst sporting the No. 8. Alexis Mac Allister, Curtis Jones and Harvey Eliott are among the other names to have retained their shirt number.

Forwards

Alexander Isak will be keen to stake his claim to the Reds’ No. 9 shirt, after an injury-ridden season last campaign saw him make just 22 appearances in all competitions, netting just four goals after his controversial £125m move from Newcastle last summer.

Federico Chiesa will have to compete with the likes of Cody Gakpo and Rio Ngumoha in order to cement his place in Iraola’s starting XI, with all three players maintaining their shirt numbers for the 2026/27 season. Liverpool’s top scorer from last season, Hugo Ekitiké, will also carry on in his No. 22 shirt.

New signing Victor Munoz has taken the No. 23 after joining the club. The No. 23 has been made famous at both ends of the pitch for Liverpool, with club legend Jamie Carragher wearing the shirt throughout his 16-year stint at the club, before Colombian winger Luis Diaz recorded 17 goal contributions in the shirt across his first two seasons at Liverpool.

Available Numbers

One of the most glaring holes in the squad is the lack of a No. 11, a shirt that has been worn by star winger Mo Salah for the last nine seasons as the Egyptian became Liverpool’s all-time top goalscorer in the Premier League.

Similarly, Andy Robertson’s lasting impact at the club means that whoever opts for his recently-vacated No. 26 shirt will have big boots to fill going into next season.

Arsenal’s squad numbers for the 2026/27 season have been revealed as they look to retain their Premier League crown.

Mikel Arteta‘s side finally brought the league title home after a spell of over two decades last season, edging out Manchester City. It was a fantastic campaign built on defensive solidity, set-piece effectiveness and a strong structural setup and system.

That took them all the way to the finals of both the Champions League and Carabao Cup, losing out on penalties to Paris Saint-Germain in heartbreaking fashion, whilst City, and Pep Guardiola, had the edge at Wembley Stadium. With a slightly altered squad, Arteta’s side will start as favourites to retain their crown, but there are some questions heading into the new campaign over player-squad roles.

The Gunners squad numbers may provide a hint at the roles some players are expected to play at the Emirates Stadium this season. Here is the full list of confirmed squad numbers, plus available numbers.

Goalkeepers

Arsenal’s goalkeeper department has been added to this summer, with Illan Meslier arriving from Leeds United on a free transfer to round out an experienced trio of shot-stoppers led by three-time Golden Glove winner David Raya and back-up Kepa Arrizabalaga.

Expect Raya to maintain his position whilst Meslier and Arrizabalaga will fight it out for Carabao Cup games as the former Chelsea keeper enjoyed a run to the final against Man City last season.

Defenders

Boasting one of the best defensive squads in world football, Arteta has built a strong army of quality defenders, capable of playing multiple roles. The only addition to note is that Piero Hincapié made his loan move permanent this summer after impressing on loan from Bayer Leverkusen last season.

One thing to note is that William Saliba was injured at the World Cup in the summer but he doesn’t require surgery. However, he is set to be out for an extended period, meaning he will miss the start of the new campaign. Another injury concern is Jurriën Timber, who is yet to play during their pre-season matches. A late-August return looks to be on the card, however.

Regardless, with the versatility of their backline, Arteta can accommodate the absence of Saliba, helping them to start the season in a strong shape.

Midfielders

Arsenal’s Declan Rice via REUTERS/Scott Heppell

Alongside their defence, Arsenal’s midfield has been key to their success. However, we expect there to be changes before the end of the window — both in terms of incomings and outgoings.

Take the futures of both Fabio Vieira and Christian Nørgaard as examples; both look set for moves away to free up funds in midfield as Nørgaard started just once in the league last season whilst Vieira was on loan in the Bundesliga with Hamburger SV.

Exits will likely allow the arrival of Newcastle United midfielder Bruno Guimarães for around £75million, with the Brazilian likely to partner Declan Rice in midfield – wearing the number 39. Fans will be curious about the role of Myles Lewis-Skelly, who was utilised in midfield last season, even starting the Champions League final, as he competes with Martin Ødegaard and Eberechi Eze.

Forwards

REUTERS/Hannah Mckay

Seen as Arsenal’s weakest squad area, fans may be concerned over the loss of Leandro Trossard, who left for Besiktas in Turkey after 50 appearances last season and 19 goal contributions. His replacement has already been sourced: enter former Club Brugge attacker Christos Tzolis.

Arriving after guiding his team to league glory and managing 51 goal contributions, the 24-year-old could well be a shrewd addition, but he faces competition from more established attackers such as Gabriel Martinelli. However, their interest in Real Madrid star Vinícius Júnior could well complicate matters for the new arrival, as the Brazilian would instantly become a talismanic figure off the left, making Arsenal a formidable outfit should he arrive.

In terms of uncertain futures, Reiss Nelson spent last season on loan at Brentford, and he is currently entering the final year of his deal, likely to exit. Whereas Gabriel Jesus, who has struggled with injuries and fallen behind Kai Havertz and Viktor Gyökeres, is also likely to depart but nothing concrete has surfaced thus far.

Available Numbers

A handful of significant numbers remain unclaimed. The no.15, no.16 and no.18 are both free, as is the no.19 left behind by Trossard – previously worn by the likes of Jack Wilshere, Santi Cazorla and Gilberto Silva. The no. 15 is strongly associated with Arsenal legend Ray Parlour, while Cesc Fabregas also donned it for a number of campaigns. Aaron Ramsey and John Hartson are among those to wear the no. 16 jersey. Nwankwo Kanu, Emmanuel Adebayor and Mohamed Elneny are among those to have worn the no. 25.