FC 26 Glory Hunters Launches June 26: PlayStyles Customization and New World Cup Players Roster

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• EA Sports FC 26 Greats of the Game Tier List: 5 Best Cards Worth Your Coins

  On June 19th, EA Sports FC 26 launched an event called "Greats of the Game", featuring a large number of discounted player cards. These cards are diverse, varying in position and attributes, including some with an overall rating of 97 or higher.

  While the overall strength of the player cards in this event is solid and the prices are more affordable than expected, making it a good time to strengthen your lineup, based on player experience, some cards are exceptionally useful, while others may fall short.

  To help you quickly figure out which cards you should prioritize collecting, I've ranked these player cards based on their performance and cost-effectiveness:

  S-Tier

  • Ronaldo
  • Patrick Vieira
  • Gareth Bale
  • Andrea Pirlo
  • Emmanuel Petit

  A-Tier

  • Luís Figo
  • Michael Owen

  B-Tier

  • Diego Forlán
  • Hidetoshi Nakata
  • Wesley Sneijder
  • Rudi Völler
  • Roberto Carlos

  

  S-Tier

  First, let's introduce the most worthwhile and unmissable cards in FIFA 26's Greats of the Game. Some can be randomly obtained from card packs, while others can be acquired using Coins.

  Ronaldo

  Previously, you could find a Ronaldo card with an overall rating of 94 in game, but Greats of the Game releases a card with an overall rating of 97 - a very high score. His 97 overall rating version boasts four gold PlayStyles: Finesse Shot, Technical, Low Driven Shot, and Quick Step, allowing him to dominate opponents on pitch.

  In fact, many players consider him one of the top five forwards in game: both the base 94 overall rating version and 97 overall rating Greats of the Game version are impeccable in FC 26.

  Patrick Vieira

  Patrick Vieira's Greats of the Game card has an overall rating of 95, making him one of the strongest defensive midfielders (CDM).

  This card has four gold PlayStyles: Intercept, Anticipate, Bruiser, and Jockey. It's also one of the most worthwhile cards to acquire in this event.

  Gareth Bale

  Next is FC 26 Greats of the Game event version of Welsh star Gareth Bale. This card has an overall rating of 95 and is positioned as a right winger.

  This card also boasts four gold PlayStyles, with top-tier configurations including Finesse Shot, Rapid, Incisive Pass, and Quick Step.

  Furthermore, it features 98 Acceleration and Sprint Speed, and 96 Shooting, giving it almost everything a perfect winger needs. And you can acquire it for around 1 million Coins, without the hassle of opening card packs.

  Andrea Pirlo

  This is a midfielder card with an overall rating of 96. He possesses multiple gold passing PlayStyles, such as Incisive Pass, making him ideal as a team's core player, controlling the tempo in midfield.

  Emmanuel Petit

  Also rated 96, this card is a defensive powerhouse: it has four gold PlayStyles covering both defensive and passing abilities, perfectly suited to CDM role, making it arguably the most worthwhile card in this batch of SBC cards. Moreover, this card can also be obtained directly in SBC using Coins.

  

  A-Tier

  These FC 26 Greats of the Game cards are placed in Tier A not because they are weak, but because they all have certain obvious weaknesses. Therefore, players need a certain level of skill to fully utilize their strengths.

  Luís Figo

  This card is Greats of the Game event version of Portuguese legend Luís Figo, with an overall rating of 96. He plays as a right winger.

  It's a very strong card, possessing 5-star Skill Moves and 4-star Weak Foot, giving him excellent one-on-one ability on the wing. It also boasts four gold PlayStyles: Rapid, Technical, Low Driven, and Incisive Pass.

  It's placed in Tier A because its Defending is only 54, and it only supports medium-tier builds. However, overall, it's still a very worthwhile card to acquire.

  Michael Owen

  This is FUT 26 Greats of the Game event version of England striker Michael Owen, with an overall rating of 96. He plays as a center forward (ST).

  He possesses powerful golden PlayStyles and boasts 5-star Weak Foot and 5-star Skill Moves. However, his 173cm height and 88 Physical rating might leave him vulnerable against taller, stronger center-backs.

  Both cards can be obtained with Coins in SBC, making them quite cost-effective. If you have plenty of Coins, consider acquiring them.

  If you're short on Coins, you can participate in FC 26 Greats of the Game giveaways on IGGM Discord. We'll be drawing ten lucky participants to share 10 million Coins.

  

  B-Tier

  FIFA 26 Greats of the Game cards, placed in Tier B, are relatively weaker and not recommended as a priority acquisition. Therefore, only a brief overview is provided here.

  Diego Forlán and Hidetoshi Nakata

  Diego Forlán has an overall rating of 93, while Hidetoshi Nakata has an overall rating of 92. These cards have mediocre attributes, lacking any highlights, and may even be less useful than player cards obtained through Evo upgrades.

  Wesley Sneijder and Rudi Völler

  Both cards have an overall rating of 94. Their attributes are slightly better than Diego Forlán and Hidetoshi Nakata, but only "decent", far from S-tier or A-tier.

  Roberto Carlos

  Roberto Carlos's card has an overall rating of 95. He's a left-back, and his attributes look good.

  However, the problem is: the design philosophy of this card is completely off - FUT 26 gave him a ton of attacking PlayStyles, but almost none of the crucial defensive PlayStyles. In other words, this card doesn't know he's a defender; he's more like a winger.

  The above is a review of Greats of the Game event cards in FC 26, many of which are powerful cards that can be obtained directly with Coins.

  Greats of the Game event will last for eight days, so whatever player cards you like, you'll need to make the most of these eight days to acquire them. Good luck!

• EA FC 26 Greats of the Game Drops on June 19: Ronaldo Nazário, Zidane Headline | Is Your Club Ready?

  Players, tomorrow marks the official arrival of EA FC 26 Greats of the Game! This event offers players a plethora of enticing Icon and Hero cards, providing an invaluable opportunity to accumulate cards. Therefore, it's crucial to seize this opportunity and set clear goals.

  What is Greats of the Game?

  Especially for players lacking FC 26 coins but still wanting to build a powerful lineup, Greats of the Game is a limited-time promotion well worth participating in. It runs for eight days, starting June 19th.

  Unlike previous high-rated cards, Greats of the Game offers players cards with superior attributes and more diverse gameplay, transforming these players into truly sought-after elite choices.

  This Greats of the Game event will introduce two brand-new legendary players, making their EA FC 26 debut: Mario Kempes and Rivellino. Both will receive special Greats of the Game items upon the official launch on June 19th, with their base versions added to card packs on June 26th.

  

  Full Leaked Player Roster

  Based on reliable leaks, we now have a projected player roster for this Greats of the Game event. These are leaked figures and may be slightly adjusted for the official release tomorrow.

  97 OVR Players

  We anticipate a total of 8 97 OVR players will be featured in this EA Sports FC Greats of the Game event. They are:

  • Ronaldo Nazário
  • Zinedine Zidane
  • Paolo Maldini
  • Thierry Henry
  • Ronaldinho
  • Johan Cruyff
  • Franz Beckenbauer
  • Bobby Charlton

  These eight players boast top-tier attributes in speed, dribbling, shooting, defense, and stamina. You've probably also spotted the familiar Ronaldo Nazário. The exceptional quality of the players introduced in this event is immediately apparent.

  96 OVR Players

  Six players should appear in the 96 OVR category:

  • Cafu
  • Ferenc Puskás
  • Marcelo
  • Andrés Iniesta
  • Rivellino
  • Xavi

  While these six have a lower OVR than the eight players above, their overall attribute data is also excellent, with virtually no weaknesses. Unlocking these six players is definitely a worthwhile decision.

  95 OVR Players

  The 95 OVR players make up the largest proportion of players featured in FC 26 Greats of the Game, a total of ten excellent players. They are:

  • Gareth Bale
  • Mario Kempes
  • Toni Kroos
  • Carles Puyol
  • Lothar Matthäus
  • Iker Casillas
  • Roberto Carlos
  • Patrick Vieira
  • Lilian Thuram
  • Zico

  94 OVR Players

  The following seven 94 OVR players are listed below. See if any of them are the cards you want:

  • Philipp Lahm
  • Gabriel Batistuta
  • David Beckham
  • Didier Drogba
  • Oliver Kahn
  • Wesley Sneijder
  • Rudi Völler

  The classic legend David Beckham has appeared! This Greats of the Game is truly a player's feast.

  93 OVR Players

  The fewest are the 93 OVR players, with only four. Let's take a look at these precious ones:

  • Miroslav Klose
  • John Barnes
  • Bixente Lizarazu
  • Diego Forlán

  While they're a little short of high-rated players, can you say these players can't help you build a strong lineup? Each of them is still a shining high-value player.

  92 OVR Players

  Finally, we come to the remaining six 92 OVR players:

  • Giorgio Chiellini
  • Ronald Koeman
  • Davor Šuker
  • Vincent Kompany
  • Hidetoshi Nakata
  • Sami Al Jaber

  Although they have the lowest OVR in Greats of the Game, as mentioned before, the cards provided have better attributes than ever before. Whichever player you unlock will be a significant boost to your team.

  How much will Greats of the Game cards cost?

  There are four ways to acquire Greats of the Game cards, and your budget needs to match your chosen path.

  SBC Route (Untradeable)

  In SBC route, we estimate it will require spending between 500,000 and 1,500,000 FIFA 26 coins on fodder, depending on the player.

  If you want to unlock top players like Ronaldo Nazário or Zinedine Zidane, you'll need to spend well over a million, but for most players, SBC route remains the most realistic path.

  Transfer Market (Tradeable)

  Cards acquired through Transfer Market range in price from 1 million FC 26 coins for mid-tier players to over 4 million for elite players, depending on the specific player.

  While the prices are higher than SBC route, this allows for more flexibility in reselling these cards later if you have liquid coins.

  Objectives (Untradeable)

  A smaller selection of cards will be earnable through gameplay. This requires time investment rather than coins, but the card pool is limited.

  Card Packs

  Of course, opening card packs is a strategy, but relying solely on luck is unreliable.

  If you really want to complete Greats of the Game card collection by the 19th, the mid-difficulty goal will require a budget of at least 600,000 coins. For Ronaldo Nazário or Zinedine Zidane, you'll need even more.

  

  Things to Do Before June 19th

  With only one day left until the launch of FIFA 26 Greats of the Game, your preparation time is extremely limited. We need to complete the following three preparations before tomorrow, the 19th.

  Stop Randomly Adding Junk Cards to Your SBC

  Unless you are absolutely certain you will use a specific card (like Wan-Bissaka's 93-rated RB card, available until June 23), please keep all cards. Don't let last-minute SBCs consume the resources you need for Greats of the Game.

  Sell ​​Path to Glory Cards Now

  Once Greats of the Game launches, the market will shift to these enhanced Legendary player cards, and the value of Path to Glory cards will plummet.

  So, sell those Path to Glory cards that are tradable and not in your starting lineup now, before prices drop significantly.

  Select Your Targets

  Participating in large events like this without a plan will quickly deplete your coins. Therefore, choose one or two players that truly suit your formation and tactical style, determine how much you're willing to spend on fodder or coins, and stop immediately once you reach your target number.

  While we're all worried about missing out on Greats of the Game, it's also the fastest way to destroy your economy in FUT 26.

  If you're on a tight budget, there are currently FC 26 Greats of the Game giveaways on IGGM Discord, where ten lucky winners will share 10M coins!

  

  EA FC 26 Greats of the Game can greatly enhance your roster, but if you're not well-prepared, it can also wipe out your progress overnight. Before it launches, decide which players you want to unlock for your team!

• EA FC 26 New OP Striker Builds in Clubs Mode: How to craft them after The World’s Game Update goes live?

  The World's Game Update for FIFA 26, released to coincide with the 2026 World Cup, introduces new tournament gameplay and updates to classic modes, including Clubs.

  While the updates to this mode are largely separate from the unlicensed World Cup simulation featured elsewhere in FC 26, you will still need to understand the changes if you want to continue enjoying the mode's core mechanics, which center on Player Archetypes.

  With that in mind, we are using the striker position as an example to introduce effective Striker builds for the current game environment.

  

  What are the builds in Club Mode?

  As a multiplayer mode, FC 26 Clubs allows you to create or join a custom club with friends, select a Player Archetype to embody, and lead that player through matches to improve their abilities. You can join up to three clubs.

  As you play more matches, your Archetype's stats improve, and you unlock new customization options.

  Club Mode offers plenty of flexibility; you can play casually for fun, or, if you want to take it further, buy FC 26 coins on IGGM to boost your Archetype, climb the league rankings, and earn better seasonal rewards.

  There are currently 13 Archetypes available in Clubs; the first is unlocked for free, while the others are obtained by consuming in-game currency or using specific Archetype unlock consumables.

  A build in this mode essentially involves fine-tuning your Archetype's attributes to create a powerful virtual player that suits your specific Playstyle. If you have experience with ARPGs, this concept should be easy to grasp.

  Striker builds overview

  Among the 13 available Archetypes, three fall into the attacker (striker) category: Magician, Finisher, and Target. Each excels at a different style of play.

  In short, Magician focuses on dribbling, using superior technique to control passing angles and execution.

  Finisher takes a more steady, reliable approach, aiming for balanced all-around ability development. Target excels in physical duels, utilizing strength for aerial headers and hold-up play.

  When crafting a striker build (or builds for other positions), you need to determine the development path based on the style of your chosen archetype; you cannot simply stack PlayStyles that you happen to consider powerful.

  Changes to Club Mode in The World's Game Update

  Unlike other FUT 26 modes, which received updates largely based on the virtual World Cup tournament, Club Mode focused primarily on optimizing its unique gameplay mechanics.

  For instance, the maximum number of PlayStyles available for an archetype has been increased to four, and the pool of available PlayStyle options has expanded.

  Additionally, the archetype level cap has been raised to 95, and reaching max level now unlocks a total of nine customizable PlayStyle slots.

  Current strategies for crafting striker builds

  Based on the latest changes to Club Mode, we will outline the currently OP builds for each of the three striker archetypes. This ensures that whether you want to switch archetypes or unlock a new one, you'll have a clear path to leveling up quickly.

  Finisher Builds

  First, Acrobatic PlayStyle has been introduced for striker archetypes in The World's Game update. If you have reached the max level, this is the best choice for your fourth PlayStyle slot.

  Furthermore, Low Driven Shot is currently the best shooting PlayStyle in FIFA 26, and First Touch is also excellent for strikers.

  Quick Step is incredibly powerful for off-the-ball movement and remains effective while in possession; it works particularly well when paired with Finisher archetype.

  Beyond PlayStyles, you also need to select Perks when crafting your build.

  For Finisher, a signature perk is Fake to Real. It boosts your shot power, finishing, and composure for a short period after performing a fake shot inside the box.

  1v1 Close Down boosts your ball control, agility, and balance for a short time during one-on-one situations with the goalkeeper. Additionally, while Hunter Specialization has some downsides, it grants you Gamechanger PlayStyle.

  Another essential perk is First Time Finisher. It boosts your shot power, balance, and composure for a short duration when you take a first-time shot inside the box. It works exceptionally well when paired with Acrobatic.

  Magician Builds

  For this archetype, the recommended specialization is Hot Shot. You can subsequently choose Finesse Shot and Chip Shot, and unlock Power Shot+ through specific specializations. This means you can score a wide variety of goals, whether inside or outside the box.

  In this update, Magician archetype gains Inventive PlayStyle. This is incredibly useful for a forward, enabling moves like fancy passes or outside-of-the-foot passes. Combine this with Technical PlayStyle, and you have the ultimate Magician build.

  As for perks, Getaway Driver is a must-have; it boosts your agility, balance, and reactions for a short period when dribbling at full speed, effectively enhancing three key dribbling-related attributes.

  Next, Ankle Breaker perk boosts your balance, ball control, and dribbling abilities after you beat an opponent with a fake shot near their penalty area.

  Target Builds

  The latest PlayStyle for this archetype is Press Proven; when paired with Enforcer traits, it significantly improves the feel of shielding the ball and left-stick dribbling.

  Regarding perks, Sixth Sense is one you shouldn't miss. It provides a temporary boost to finishing, balance, and composure when you take a shot with your back to the goal in the attacking third.

  Then there is Physical Shooter perk, which boosts strength, shot power, and balance when you shoot after shielding the ball and holding off an opponent inside the box.

  If you've been playing a lot of the World Cup-related content in EA FC 26 and want a change of pace, Club Mode is a fantastic option, and this guide will help you make the right choice when selecting your forward archetype!

• What Does EA FC 26 Update v1.6.2 Change in The World's Game, Career Mode, Clubs, and Presentation Systems?

  FC 26 is about to receive a brand new version 1.6.2 update, which has garnered considerable attention in the player community. This new version represents a significant adjustment focused on optimizing multiple core modes, laying a more stable foundation for the long-term experience of each mode.

  Besides fixing long-standing system bugs, EA FC 26 has also updated numerous real-world football-related assets, including jerseys, player faces, hairstyles, stadiums, boots, and club badges, further bringing the game closer to the real world of football in terms of visual presentation and licensing completeness.

  

  More importantly, this update has comprehensive coverage, launching on all platforms including PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, and PC, ensuring a consistent experience for players on different devices. IGGM will now guide you through all the details of FC 26 Update v1.6.2.

  The World's Game

  Regarding The World's Game, the biggest highlight of FC 26 Update v1.6.2 is the completion of the match information display system. Previously, many FIFA 26 players complained that they couldn't view the full schedule and other teams' match results in the knockout stages, resulting in a lack of real-world match atmosphere in World's Game experience.

  With the update, EA FC 26 has added a Tournament Tree widget to Office Hub of World's Game Tournament. You can see this widget after entering knockout stages.

  This means you can not only track your own progression but also get real-time updates on other countries' match results and match progress, making FUT 26 The World's Game mode closer to the viewing experience of a real World Cup.

  While this change may seem like just a UI optimization, it's actually one of the most practical additions to FIFA 26, The World's Game, since its launch, making each match more immersive.

  Meanwhile, while participating in EA FC 26 The World's Game, you can directly access FC Hub from Tournament Hub to view current activity objectives and track progress. FC 26 Coins you earn after completing match objectives and other reward progress are also more intuitively displayed. See Tree Overview screen UI elements have also been updated and optimized.

  Besides new features, EA has fixed several issues present in The World's Game. For example, issues such as incorrect score display after penalty shootouts in some matches, abnormal trophy display after winning a match, and incorrect text arrangement will all be resolved in Update v1.6.2.

  Clubs

  Clubs mode has also received fixes. Previously, some FUT 26 players encountered the error Failed to create your Virtual Pro when creating a new Goalkeeper Clubs Pro, and Clubs AI Facility boosts sometimes incorrectly affected player-controlled Pros. These issues disrupted gameplay and affected the player experience.

  EA FC 26 Update v1.6.2 addresses these issues, ensuring greater stability in Clubs mode. IGGM believes that while these updates may seem insignificant, they are crucial for a long-term mode like Clubs.

  Career Mode

  Compared to Clubs, FC 26 Career Mode offers a more comprehensive set of fixes, most notably for Manager Career.

  Manager Career

  First, national team selection has been re-enabled for Manager Career Live Start Points that occurred in May 2026, meaning you can once again experience full national team coaching content.

  Furthermore, several long-standing issues in FUT 26 Manager Career have been fixed. The issue where selecting International Cup final from the calendar could incorrectly display the third-place match, resulting in the finals tag being missing from the standings, has been fixed.

  The department filter in FIFA 26 scouting instructions resetting incorrectly and certain positions disappearing from the attacking player department list has also been fixed. This significantly reduces repetitive actions in the game, making squad planning smoother and avoiding the frustration of unexpectedly resetting filter conditions.

  Incorrect display of Youth Academy scouting reports and incorrect display of jerseys in social media posts are also on the fix list. Incorrect player data display in Men's International Cup is also nearing completion. While these typical data presentation errors don't affect the actual game, they do impact the gameplay experience, and it's great to see they've been fixed.

  

  Presentation

  However, for most FUT 26 players, the most anticipated update in Update v1.6.2 remains general audio and visual updates. EA FC 26 has confirmed that version 1.6.2 will update some jerseys, Star Heads' realistic faces, hairstyles, 2D avatars, club crests, stadiums, boots, TIFOs, and commentary text.

  This means that missing national team jerseys in Career Mode are expected to be added, and some teams' latest season jerseys may also be added to FIFA 26. Some players will receive new realistically scanned faces, and currently problematic player models will be fixed.

  The hairstyle and 2D avatar updates will further improve the completeness of the player database, while the stadium, boot, and club crest updates mean that the latest licensed content from the real-world football world will be gradually synchronized to the game. For many players who value realism, this is undoubtedly the most anticipated part of Update v1.6.2.

  In addition, Update v1.6.2 also fixes several in-game issues in FUT 26, including the inability to properly restore default values ​​in display settings, abnormal switching of competition mode settings after the start of a match, and text display errors in some locations, further improving the overall stability of FIFA 26.

  While version 1.6.2 doesn't make major changes to the gameplay of EA FC 26, it represents a significant upgrade for players. EA is using the final stage of FC 26's lifecycle to refine the game details, preparing for the upcoming FC 27. If no new major bugs appear, this is likely to be one of the last major updates with substantial content value for FC 26.

• EA FC 26 World Cup Update Fails on Every Level: No Licenses, No Offline Play, No Celebration!

  When EA released the World Cup update for EA SPORTS FC 26 at the last minute in late May, many players thought the football game giant, long criticized for its lackluster performance, was finally going to redeem itself with its national team content.

  However, when players actually entered this supposedly significantly expanded version, they were greeted not with the expected World Cup excitement, but with a complete disaster, from chaotic lineups to numerous bugs.

  Severe Licensing Gap

  Although the number of national teams in FIFA 26 World Cup has increased significantly, many of the newly added national teams have licensing issues.

  Algeria, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, and several other Middle Eastern countries lack both official team crests and authentic World Cup jerseys. Japan cannot use its official jerseys and crest because another company holds the license; only other teams have complete licenses.

  The lack of these licenses makes FC 26 World Cup update feel like a hastily produced, unfinished game.

  

  Forced Internet Connection

  The most perplexing design flaw in this FC 26 World Cup update is that even in the purely offline Tournament mode, players must maintain a constant internet connection and be linked to EA's servers to access and play.

  If a player loses internet access or the servers crash, the game displays an error message, fails to load any World Cup content, and may even crash, resulting in a garbled interface when returning to the main menu.

  This means that two or three years after FC 26's release, if EA shuts down the game's servers, players will permanently lose access to any mode of 2026 World Cup, completely eliminating the possibility of saving the game or replaying it for nostalgia.

  Function Missing and Incorrect Lineups

  If players want to experience the World Cup in FUT 26 through Career Mode, they must choose Manager Live Challenges or Live Start Points, but this requires a constant internet connection.

  Furthermore, players cannot manage a national team independently; they must first bind to a club before jumping directly from the end of the season to the summer when the World Cup begins. Regarding the rosters, the official claim is that they used the final rosters announced by each team, but in reality, many players are missing.

  Furthermore, players have virtually no control over their national team call-ups. In Live Start Points or Tournament modes, team rosters are completely locked; you cannot replace players as you would in the main game settings, or even remove obviously unsuitable players and add real stars.

  Tournament Mode is Unrealistic

  First of all, EA FC 26 did not even follow the most basic, realistic World Cup schedule.

  The real-life opening match is Mexico vs. South Africa, but in the game it's Mexico vs. South Korea.

  Regarding stadiums, no real World Cup stadiums are included; Estadio Azteca stadium, which appeared in FIFA 22, is not included.

  The match ball, trophy, and scoreboard are all generic, poorly designed purple models, lacking any of the solemnity and atmosphere expected of the World Cup.

  Even without official authorization, FC 26 development team could have easily compensated by creating more refined graphics, but they didn't even make that effort.

  Fatal Bugs

  EA FC 26 World Cup also suffers from a series of unbearable bugs.

  Once the knockout stage begins, all World Cup group stage statistics in the game are completely erased. You can't review points, goals scored, goal difference, or any other information from each group; only a single knockout stage tree remains.

  The most serious bug in the knockout stage is the incorrect penalty shootout ruling. If you win a match in a penalty shootout, the game system might register it as a loss, resulting in your elimination.

  This bug has existed in Career Mode and Tournament Mode for years and remains unfixed, directly causing players to be inexplicably eliminated in crucial matches.

  Even if you eventually win World Cup, the celebration scenes are exactly the same as in any other game like Community Shield, offering nothing new. There are no unique World Cup victory animations or award ceremonies, no post-match awards, and no social media or news recaps.

  After choosing to end Tournament, players simply exited, as if nothing had happened.

  National Team Coaches Not Updated

  This 2026 World Cup update added almost no new national team coach faces.

  Carlo Ancelotti of Brazil was absent, as was Mauricio Pochettino of United States and Jesse Marsch of Canada. The Italian coach, on the other hand, had a strangely shaped, patchwork-like face.

  Furthermore, many newly added national teams still use generic coach assets from ten years ago, with serious errors in coach allocation and a lack of updates.

  From this perspective, we can see that FC 26's World Cup is almost entirely devoid of sincerity.

  

  A Few Remaining Advantages

  Of course, this FUT 26 World Cup update isn't all bad.

  Players can replace or randomize the entire World Cup participating teams, such as manually getting Italy into the finals or randomly generating entirely new group stage draws, providing some customization and endless simulation possibilities.

  Some players also have exclusive 2D avatars and faces in World Cup mode, adding subtle detail.

  In addition, FIFA 26 development team fixed a bug in previous versions where the national anthems played before matches; now both teams can play their respective national anthems completely.

  However, these minor improvements cannot compensate for the numerous systemic flaws, bugs, licensing issues, and perfunctory attitudes mentioned above.

  Overall, this FC 26 World Cup update is a belated gift for console players eagerly awaiting World Cup content. Hopefully, the development team can gradually resolve the various problems exposed, making The World's Game truly worthy of its name.

• EA FC 26 Path to Glory Team Week 2 SBC Leaks and Free Icon | Eto'o Arrives as a Gauntlet Mode Reward Next Week

  The spotlight for this Friday through next week will be on EA FC 26's Festival Football Path to Glory Team 2, with several high-value cards entering the promotion from Friday onward. In addition to the officially announced Path to Glory Team 2 squad, a number of SBCs and new Icons have also been leaked.

  For these leaked cards, the official team has only confirmed a portion of their stats so far, without verifying which Playstyle+ upgrades they will receive. Even so, that is already enough to excite players.

  

  Free Icon

  95 OVR Samuel Eto'o Icon ST

  • Pac: 94
  • Sho: 92
  • Pas: 82
  • Dri: 91
  • Def: 48
  • Phy: 83

  Legendary striker Samuel Eto'o will arrive next week. He will not be an SBC player but rather a reward from Gauntlet mode. This mode starts next Monday, and players must win five consecutive matches using five different squads. The challenge allows for losses, but only a perfect run will earn Eto'o.

  According to the leaks, this card will most likely come with only three Playstyle+ traits instead of the 4 many hoped for. However, given his elite shooting, his exceptional pace, and the fact that he is completely free, this is still a pleasantly surprising reward.

  Leaked SBCs

  94 OVR Aaron Wan-Bissaka RB

  • Pac: 93
  • Sho: 70
  • Pas: 87
  • Dri: 90
  • Def: 95
  • Phy: 95

  Aaron Wan-Bissaka will receive an SBC next week. The stats on this card are very impressive: as a full-back, he boasts excellent defending attributes, great physicality, and superb speed. The leaks do not yet include his Playstyles, but the official team will likely give him Bruiser and Quick Step.

  Nevertheless, his biggest drawback is the national team he represents: Republic of Congo. That side is not a strong contender in World Cup, so unless they unexpectedly advance through multiple rounds, this card's upgrade potential remains very limited. For this reason, SBC's value is also limited, and its expected fodder cost is around 50k to 60k FC 26 coins. While he may not be a top-tier option in the current meta, he can still serve as a solid evolution candidate.

  96 OVR Alexia Putellas CM

  • Pac: 91
  • Sho: 95
  • Pas: 95
  • Dri: 96
  • Def: 89
  • Phy: 88

  This is an End Of An Era SBC, created for Alexia Putellas as she prepares to leave Barcelona Femení and transfer to an English club. Previously, Barcelona Femení won UEFA Women's Champions League, and Putellas already received a 96 OVR UWCL Road to the Finals tradeable card. This SBC version has extremely similar attributes to that tradeable one, with even slight improvements in some categories.

  The tradeable 96-rated Putellas card is currently worth around 500k coins on the market. If SBC's construction requires roughly 250k to 300k coins in fodder, then it will be well worth completing.

  94 OVR Pedro Neto RM

  • Pac: 97
  • Sho: 92
  • Pas: 89
  • Dri: 94
  • Def: 53
  • Phy: 86

  The first SBC arriving this Friday with EA FC 26 Path to Glory Team 2 squad is Pedro Neto. This dynamic card already has excellent base stats. More importantly, Portuguese national team is very strong in this World Cup, with a realistic chance of reaching the semi-finals or even the final. As Portugal advances each round, this card will receive upgrades. Should they make it to the final, Pedro Neto's stats would become truly lavish.

  Considering that a similar Cody Gakpo SBC cost around 300k-400k coins in fodder, Neto's SBC will likely be in the 500k coins range. Even so, players can accumulate fodder cards without too much difficulty, so this is almost a must-complete SBC for everyone.

  94 OVR Alexis Mac Allister CAM

  • Pac: 93
  • Sho: 94
  • Pas: 95
  • Dri: 94
  • Def: 93
  • Phy: 91

  This Alexis Mac Allister SBC has virtually no weaknesses: his lowest attribute is 91 Physical, while every other stat is 91 or above.

  As the midfield core of Argentinian national team - another tournament favorite - Mac Allister already boasts a strong base card. With upgrades, this SBC card will be one of the very best in Path to Glory Team 2. If Neto's construction costs 500k coins, Mac Allister's will only be higher. Any Argentina fan would likely not want to miss this SBC.

  Other Leaked Players

  Besides SBC leaks, there are some other leaked players whose specific stats are currently unknown, but they could be very strong:

  • 95 OVR Noni Madueke (RW) - National Pride Red (Token Reward)
  • 95 OVR Kim Min Jae (CB) - National Pride Red (Token Reward)
  • 95 OVR Maghnes Akliouche (CAM) - National Pride Red (Token Reward)
  • 94 OVR Giorgian de Arrascaeta (CAM) - Path to Glory (Token Reward)
  • 94 OVR Djibril Sow (CM) - Path to Glory (Token Reward)
  • 94 OVR Sadio Mané (LM) - Path to Glory (Token Reward)

  These are the main leaked SBCs and new players for the second week of EA FC 26 Festival Football Path to Glory. Most of them are dynamic cards, so their stats have room to improve further. Choose the team you trust the most, and go complete those SBCs.