FC 26 Packs

Good news! EA Sports FC 26 released the brand new Holiday Update 1.3.0 on December 2nd. This patch isn't just a simple update to improve gameplay; it's a major update bringing a series of feature improvements and fixes.

Holiday Update 1.3.0

In Ultimate Team mode, the most significant change is the improvement to the goalkeeper. Manual goalkeeper movement is now more restricted because in open matches, the goalkeeper's movement speed and coverage area are significantly reduced, and Rush To Center mechanic in open matches has been removed.

Several targeted improvements aim to enhance the goalkeeper's saves and reaction time. Goalkeepers will react more sensitively to first shots, and the probability of save errors will be reduced. In Competitive mode, goalkeepers transition faster after receiving the ball, allowing for smoother throws, dives, and dribbling.

In addition, they slightly improved the transition speed of skill moves, especially after pull-back actions, fixed the issue of slow player reactions in set-piece attacks, and corrected the problem of AI mistakenly kicking corner kicks out of bounds.

These improvements not only significantly enhanced the player experience but also revitalized a previously underrated formation, namely the 4-3-1-2 formation.

Why Is The 4-3-1-2 Formation Underrated?

The 4-3-1-2 formation is often underestimated. While it possesses strong central attacking capabilities, creating difficult-to-mark attacking threats and enhancing midfield dominance, this formation relies too heavily on fullbacks to create width. This can lead to fullbacks being frequently exposed to defense and consuming a lot of stamina.

Furthermore, when opponents with fast wingers exploit space on the flanks to break through your defense, midfielders must move up to cover, often isolating fullbacks. When full-backs are pushed too far forward, the team becomes vulnerable to quick counter-attacks, especially against wide-open teams like those using a 4-3-3 formation.

However, compared to this disadvantage, the advantages of the 4-3-1-2 formation are significantly more pronounced. This formation is adaptable to various playing styles, from long-ball counters to possession-based teams, thus flexibly meeting the needs of different coaches and players. Furthermore, the two strikers and one attacking midfielder densely packed in the center allow for strong control and creative attacks through the middle.

Because this formation demands high tactical flexibility, its advantages are often overlooked. However, after FIFA 26 1.3.0 patch update, players can utilize full-backs and flexible midfielders to cover these flanks, creating a powerful central attack and a compact team formation. This makes the 4-3-1-2 formation a top choice for teams that prioritize midfield control.

How Does Update 1.3.0 Affect This Formation?

First, as we mentioned before, this update improves AI and optimizes player roles, allowing players to more effectively utilize the advantages of the 4-3-1-2 formation. Players like fullbacks can now more easily control the flanks while maintaining a solid central structure.

Furthermore, changes to player movement and the ability to set more specific player roles allow players to create smoother, more flexible formations, thus better controlling their team's performance at different stages of the match.

Based on current trends, after the 1.3.0 update, the 4-3-1-2 formation is highly likely to break the previous dominance of the 4-5-1 formation and become more competitive and viable.

4-3-1-2 vs 4-5-1

In EA FC 26, the 4-3-1-2 formation is an attacking, narrow formation consisting of two forwards and one attacking midfielder, designed to launch quick and direct attacks through the center.

In contrast, the 4-5-1 formation is more balanced and compact, relying on a striker and five midfielders for support, providing greater defensive stability and midfield control, especially against counter-attacks.

Therefore, the 4-3-1-2 formation is generally more suitable for aggressive attacks, while the 4-5-1 formation is defensively solid and excels at controlling the midfield.

However, after the 1.3.0 patch update, the 4-3-1-2 formation is clearly more advantageous than the 4-5-1 formation because it can form a more threatening four-man attacking combination in the final third and provides a better midfield and defensive structure through its unique player roles. These factors allow the 4-3-1-2 formation to deliver greater attacking firepower and more creative attacking options.

On the other hand, the 4-5-1 formation, because of its heavy reliance on wingers and midfielders to support the striker, can easily lead to the lone striker becoming isolated and struggling to organize attacks. Furthermore, if the wingers are the only source of attacking support, the formation's attacking methods are easily predictable by the opponent, making it easier for them to defend. Therefore, the era of the 4-5-1 formation's dominance in FUT 26 may be coming to an end!

How To Effectively Use 4-3-1-2 Formation?

When using a 4-3-1-2 formation in EA FC 26, the focus should be on building a narrow central attacking system. To achieve this, one midfielder should act as a defensive midfielder, another as a balanced playmaker or box-to-box midfielder, and a third player responsible for attack.

The single attacking midfielder should link up with the two forwards, while fullbacks are responsible for stretching the attack, as there are no wingers in this formation.

The specific player roles and instructions used for this formation are as follows:

• Striker (ST): Use Advanced Forward and set Stay Central and Get in Behind instruction to make him the primary scoring threat.
• Attacking Midfielder (CAM): Place this player between the midfielders and forwards to connect the attack. Instructions can include Get Forward or Get in Behind, depending on whether you want him to play as a second striker or a link-up player.
• Holding CM: Set to Stay Back While Attacking and Cover Center to provide a solid defensive foundation.
• Box-to-Box CM: Use Balanced instruction or Get Forward to balance defense and attack.
• Playmaker CM: Can use Playmaker or Box-to-Box role to add attacking dimension, but should be set to Stay Back While Attacking and Cover Center.
• Full-backs (LB/RB): Because of the narrow formation, full-backs must spread out. It's recommended to set them to Balanced or Join the Attack to support the attack, but if they are not flexible enough, Stay Back While Attacking is often a safer option.
• Center-backs (CB): Keep these players' default instructions to maintain defensive stability.
• Goalkeeper (GK): Use the default instructions or set to Goalkeeper and Balanced for increased flexibility.

To maximize the effectiveness of this formation, you must effectively utilize your full-backs, instructing them to actively spread the floor, while simultaneously ensuring they can quickly track back after an attack.

In short, you need to be prepared to adapt your tactics based on your opponent. If the opponent attacks down the flanks, you may need to switch to a more conservative formation or make tactical adjustments to cover the wide areas.

Regardless, after the 1.3.0 update for FC 26, we anticipate the 4-3-1-2 formation will soon become popular again, as it provides strong attacking firepower through the center while maintaining good defensive stability, making it ideal for possession-based, high-pressing tactics. Give it a try!

EA FC 26's Black Friday sale not only brought numerous powerful special cards, but also many SBCs and evolutions that can significantly boost player performance.

The newly released evolution is Magician of the Right, which can greatly improve the strength of right-wing players. This evolution is also a chain evolution with a total of 5 levels. Let's take a look at the details of this evolution and popular choices.

Magician Of The Right Evolution

Magician of the Right is an evolution limited to right-wing players. The player's OVR cannot be higher than 85, and you must complete it within one week of unlocking this evolution. Furthermore, this evolution is not free; it requires 700 FC 26 points or 60,000 FC 26 coins to unlock, and cannot be repeated.

Magician of the Right Requirements:

• Overall: Max 85
• Playstyle: Max 10
• Playstyle+: Max 1
• Not Rarity: World Tour Silver Stars
• Position: RW

Magician of the Right Total Upgrades

• Overall: +15 | Max 87
• Shooting: +15 | Max 83
• Acceleration: +20 | Max 91
• Agility: +20 | Max 88
• Balance: +20 | Max 89
• Ball control: +20 | Max 90
• Crossing: +20 | Max 86
• Curve: +20 | Max 87
• Dribbling: +20 | Max 88
• Long Passing: +30 | Max 88
• Reactions: +20 | Max 85
• Short Passing: +30 | Max 90
• Free Kick: +20 | Max 87
• Sprint Speed: +20 | Max 91
• Stamina: +20 | Max 80
• Vision: +20 | Max 89
• Composure: +20 | Max 87
• Weak Foot: +2 | Max 4
• Skills: +2 | Max 4
• Playstyles+: Rapid+ | Max 1
• Playstyles: Finesse Shot | Max 6
• Roles: Winger++/Inside Forward++/Wide Playmaker+

This evolution makes many players who were previously not a good fit for the current game meta much more useful by adding key player styles and improving attributes. This evolution also adds Finesse Shot Playstyle to left-footed players on the right wing, completely changing their attacking threat and allowing them to cut inside and finish with high-quality shots.

Furthermore, this evolution not only increases Playstyles, but also significantly enhances basic speed, dribbling, and shooting attributes, all of which can drastically change a player's performance.

How To Choose Players?

Magician of the Right evolution is quite practical, so you can't just choose players randomly. Instead, you should choose players who, after evolving, are closer to the meta Playstyle. Evaluate these players comprehensively, considering whether there are more cost-effective alternatives.

You need to pay attention to changes in players' base stats such as speed, dribbling, and shooting. Secondly, you need to consider chemistry style pairings. For example, how can you further optimize players like Hunter, Engine, Finisher, and Marksman?

The addition and variation of player styles is the core of the evolution. Focus on players with key Playstyles such as Finesse Shot, First Touch, Quick Step, and Rapid. These players, combined with Rapid+, will have stronger attacking capabilities.

Additionally, you need to evaluate the suitability of players on the right flank RW, RM and even CAM positions, especially whether they have received key positional instructions such as Inside Forward. Additionally, a player's weakest foot star rating is also an important factor to consider.

If you're unsure which player to choose, it's highly recommended to select players with their strong foot on the opposite side. This means using left-footed players on the right wing and right-footed players on the left wing, making their shots after cutting inside more threatening.

Popular Players

80 OVR Marcus Rashford

While Marcus Rashford has always been popular, to include him in this evolution, you need to ensure he has earned a RW position through previous evolutions. He's not suitable for players who only have the basic card. After evolution, consider using Engine chemistry style.

84 OVR Salma Paralluelo

This evolution makes her more compatible with the current meta. Crucially, she gains Finesse Shot Playstyle and is better suited to the right flank thanks to Inside Forward++, allowing this left-footed player to cut inside from the right and execute Finesse Shots, greatly increasing her versatility.

84 OVR Jérémy Doku TOTW

This card has excellent stats after the evolution, with dribbling improving to over 90 and gaining Playstyles like First Touch. However, his weakness is that as a left-footed player, Evolution primarily strengthens the right flank, while he is better suited to the left.

81 OVR Rayan Cherki

81 OVR Rayan Cherki looks quite good after this evolution, especially in the attacking midfielder position. However, if you already own his previous free Evolution version, this upgrade isn't necessary.

85 OVR Désiré Doué

Désiré Doué's base gold card already has advantages in RW position such as Inside Forward+ and Wide Playmaker++, and he also has a 4-star weak foot. While he gains stat improvements, it doesn't create a significant change.

78 OVR Estêvão

This evolution grants Estêvão a significant boost to his base stats, making him fast and giving him Quick Step+ and Rapid Playstyles, making him an excellent card. The downside is that as a left-footed player, he lacks ideal player roles on left wing. If you want to build a Chelsea team, this is a pretty good choice.

81 OVR Amaiur Sarriegi

Amaiur Sarriegi is a powerful female footballer. After evolution, her stats are extremely high, and she possesses a large number of useful Playstyles, such as Finesse Shot, First Touch, and Technical Dribbling. She is very threatening whether playing on the wing or as a striker.

85 OVR Marco Asensio

This evolution adds the crucial Finesse Shot Playstyle to him, compensating for his previous weaknesses. Possessing both Tiki Taka and other Playstyles makes him an excellent choice for left-footed players on the right wing.

The above is a general player recommendation for Magician of the Right. This evolution isn't free, so choose carefully.