FC 26 Players

Players, the 2026 World Cup final lineup has been announced. EA FC 26 has been closely following the tournament and will soon launch a Summer Stars event featuring players who shone brightly in this summer's World Cup.

Based on their performance and impact in the World Cup, it's safe to assume that FC 26 will include Messi, Haaland, and players who nearly reached the final, Mbappe and Bellingham, in Summer Stars. But what other outstanding players might be included? What other information do we need to know about Summer Stars?

Summer Stars Overview and Timing

Summer Stars shouldn't be unfamiliar to long-time FIFA or EA Sports FC players, as it has been a key component of summer football celebrations in previous versions - FC 24 and even earlier, FIFA 22.

It's back as scheduled this year, officially launching on Friday, July 17th (10:00 AM Pacific Time). FC 26's Ultimate Team will receive a wave of high-quality player card updates based on their World Cup performances, with the event's pace roughly synchronized with the ongoing World Cup.

Player Selection Logic

Players who have performed exceptionally well in this World Cup may be included in this Summer Stars event, similar to Team of the Tournament in previous Champions League tournaments, both recognizing the most outstanding and influential players throughout the competition.

Judging from the official Summer Stars cover and promotional materials already released, the four featured players are Jude Bellingham, Erling Haaland, Kylian Mbappé, and Lionel Messi, all of whom had outstanding performances in this World Cup.

While Haaland didn't reach the semi-finals, he led Norway to a historic quarter-final appearance and personally scored seven goals.

However, since this is a collection of the best performers of the World Cup, the selected lineup naturally includes far more than just these four top stars. Many more players who left a deep impression on the tournament will also receive exclusive cards.

FIFA 26 will assign corresponding OVR, position, and PlayStyles based on their contributions to the World Cup, striving to more realistically recreate the players' highlights this summer in the game.

Confirmed Player Card Data

The currently known player cards almost all have OVRs concentrated in the top range of 97 to 98, which is enough to prove the strength of these Summer Stars in EA FC 26.

Kylian Mbappé

Mbappé's card has an OVR of 98, positioned as a ST.

In terms of specific stats, he also boasts 99 speed, 98 shooting, 91 passing, 99 dribbling, and 84 physicality. Aside from his slightly weaker physicality, he's a perfect combination of speed and finishing ability.

Jude Bellingham

Like Mbappé, Bellingham has a 98OVR, but plays as a CM. His stats include 97 speed, 98 shooting, 97 passing, 98 dribbling, 94 defense, and 96 physicality.

It's clear that FC 26 has crafted a well-rounded stat set for Bellingham, balancing offensive and defensive capabilities, which aligns perfectly with his performance in this World Cup, where he scored six goals and provided numerous assists.

Harry Kane

Harry Kane, also from England national team like Jude Bellingham, was also selected for this year's Summer Stars. He plays as a 98OVR ST, with stats of 93 speed, 99 shooting, 95 passing, 97 dribbling, and 95 physicality.

As England's captain, Kane played a crucial pivot role for the team in this World Cup, earning full recognition from FC 26.

Lionel Messi

Lionel Messi's Summer Stars card is positioned as a CF, with the same 98OVR.

Undoubtedly, Messi boasts 97 passing, 98 dribbling, and 83 physicality, creating a highly recognizable playing style. Everyone knows how terrifying his dribbling and passing abilities are on the field, and his performance in this World Cup was equally stunning.

Vinícius Jr.

Vinícius Jr., with 98OVR, is positioned as a LW, boasting an astonishing 99 speed and 98 dribbling, perfectly replicating the explosiveness of Brazilian captain displayed leading Samba Army before the knockout stages.

Mohamed Salah

Mohamed Salah secured his place in FC 26 Summer Stars with his outstanding performance before the match against Argentina. His role as a 98OVR ST is clearly demonstrated by his near-98 speed and dribbling ability, highlighting his crucial role in Egypt's attacking system.

Erling Haaland

Erling Haaland's card continues his signature aggressive style. A 98OVR ST, coupled with 99 shooting, 96 physicality, and 98 speed, makes this card's finishing ability a perfect match for his terrifying output of seven goals in this World Cup.

Ousmane Dembélé

Although somewhat overshadowed by his teammate Mbappé, Ousmane Dembélé still made a strong showing in FC 26 Summer Stars with a 98OVR, RW role. Dembélé's four goals and assists are impressive statistics.

Aymeric Laporte

Spanish player Aymeric Laporte has been selected for this Summer Stars event with a 97OVR CB rating, along with 98 defense and 97 physicality.

Pau Cubarsí

Also boasting a 97OVR CB rating, Pau Cubarsí is undoubtedly a member of FC 26 Summer Stars. The performances of these two Spanish center-backs in this World Cup are perfectly represented by FC 26's card data.

How to Obtain Cards

So how do we obtain these top-tier player cards with high OVR in Summer Stars?

First, players can use FC 26 coins to unlock exclusive Summer Stars card packs to directly draw the aforementioned top players. This is also available through SBCs.

FUT 26 is expected to gradually release multiple sets of World Cup-themed challenge missions. Players may be able to exchange these player cards or other high-value rewards by completing the missions as required.

In addition, Evolutions system will receive a Summer Stars-themed update. Eligible player cards can receive stat boosts or new PlayStyles by completing specific evolution paths, providing players with more customization options for their existing lineups.

Overall, whether considering its strength or nostalgia, FC 26 Summer Stars is well worth your time and effort.

EA FC 26 has introduced a week-long penalty shootout tournament, A Star Is Born Cup, as part of Festival of Football Phenoms event.

The rewards on offer are generous and well worth the effort. The tournament concludes on Friday, 17 July, so be sure to complete all objectives before the event ends.

A Star Is Born Cup Objectives and Rewards

Unlike a standard penalty shootout, A Star Is Born Cup adopts a tournament format. Each day, you receive five tournament entry tokens; with each entry, you can play up to three matches if you keep winning consecutively.

The regular objectives within the tournament are fairly straightforward and mainly include:

• Win 1 match, play 5, 10, and 15 matches
• Win 3 and 5 matches
• Score a total of 25 penalties

Beyond A Star Is Born Cup objectives, there is also a slightly more demanding set called A Star Is Born Bonus Completionist, which requires you to win the cup 1, 2, 3, and 4 times respectively. The rewards are tempting, but the challenge is undeniable.

All rewards from both objective sets are as follows:

• Phenom Rising Evolution
• No Stutter Evolution
• All Out Attack Evolution
• 250 FUTTIES Tokens
• 750 Season Points
• 2×85+ Rare Gold Players Pack ×1
• 2×87+ Rare Gold Players Pack ×1
• 5×85+ Rare Gold Players Pack ×2
• 5×86+ Rare Gold Players Pack ×2
• 7×87+ Rare Gold Players Pack ×1
• 8×88+ Rare Gold Players Pack ×1

Connections with Other Objectives

Do not overlook this mode simply because of the higher-difficulty challenges. It offers an extremely efficient way to concurrently complete many other tedious season objectives in the game. Numerous tasks that would normally consume a lot of time in regular matches can be handled easily here.

Since goals from penalty shootouts count toward goal-related tasks, and clean sheets during regular time count toward objectives requiring a clean sheet or conceding fewer than X goals, you automatically earn a clean sheet as long as the match goes to a shootout.

Better Late Than Never Objective

This series of tasks requires using players with specific nationalities or birth dates:

• Score 5 goals with players born on or before 10 July 1996.
• In 3 different matches, concede 1 goal or fewer while using a player from Congo.
• In 3 different matches, score 1 goal with a player from Uzbekistan.
• In 3 different matches, score 1 goal with a player from Cabo Verde.
• In 3 different matches, provide 1 assist with a Czech player.
• In 3 different matches, provide 1 assist with an Austrian player.

For scoring tasks, simply place the required players in your starting penalty-shootout lineup and have them take the spot kick when their turn arrives.

Nations Objectives

For the continental Nations Objectives, you can also use the shootout mode to speed up progress.

For example, under Europe Objective, Norway + Belgium Objective requires you to win a match with 6 Norwegian or Belgian players in your starting eleven. Just assemble the squad and win the shootout.

Similarly, England + Spain Objective includes a task where you need to score 4 goals and concede fewer than 2 while having 3 English players in the starting lineup. Scoring 4 in the shootout is straightforward, and conceding is almost never an issue.

Beyond these 2 objective types, several more demanding Milestones Objectives can also be comfortably completed with the help of the penalty tournament.

If you find yourself lacking players of the corresponding nationality, you can buy FC 26 coins at IGGM to quickly add players. Many of these objectives are time-limited; if you miss the time, you may lose a lot of rewards.

Squad Building

When using Squad Builder, there are no special restrictions - you do not need to use any specific player type. You can simply include the players required by the objectives. Since it is a penalty shootout, player Chemistry has no effect whatsoever.

Apart from the goalkeeper, all outfield players can be strikers with the best penalty attributes. Be sure to use your finest keeper, and it is advisable to choose a tall shot-stopper.

If you need to complete other tasks simultaneously, prioritise those conditions; otherwise, aim for all your designated penalty takers to have at least 90 in penalty stats. Some players also feature unique penalty animations, which can give you an extra edge. Make the most of every favourable factor.

If you want to improve your win rate, participate in FC 26 coins Giveaway from IGGM Discord during Phenoms Promo. If you win, you can get a large number of coins to add powerful players to your team.

Penalty Taking and Defending Tips

Defending

In FIFA 26, the keeper's direction choice is not merely left or right - you also need to select high or low corners. Opponents often aim for the top corners, and if you only dive low, you will not save the shot even if you guess the correct side.

Try to make your save just before the opponent strikes the ball, as this results in a more precise diving motion. If you hold the direction too early during the run-up, the save quality will drop.

While the opponent is approaching the ball, you can nudge the keeper slightly to one side to unsettle them, then dive to your true chosen direction just before the shot. This mimics the mind-games real keepers use.

Shooting

Penalties are a psychological battle. Observe your opponent's habits - if they have gone down the middle before, they may repeat that choice in a critical moment.

If you notice the opponent moving early during your run-up, do not panic and change direction at the last second, as that usually lowers the quality of your shot.

Do not underestimate FUT 26 A Star Is Born tournament. Completing every task may be tough, but it can greatly ease your progress on other objectives. Used wisely, it will help you earn rewards with much less effort.