EA FC 26 Patch 1.1.0 Explained: Massive Dribbling Nerfs, Stronger Defense, And A Broken Meta

Posted: Oct 25, 2025 Views: 138

Posted: Oct 25, 2025

Source: IGGM

EA FC 26 just released V1.1.0 Update, which has been met with widespread dissatisfaction among players, with some thinking it ruins the game, while others consider it the best update yet. Simply put, it strengthens defense while largely weakening offense, a game-changing change.

Because the previous meta was strong in offense, most players' teams favored it. This patch weakened offense, turning many meta lineups into jokes. So what exactly caused this shift? Let's take a look.

EA FC 26 Patch 1.1.0 Explained: Massive Dribbling Nerfs, Stronger Defense, And A Broken Meta

Defending Improvements

Following the previous update, FC 26 continues to strengthen defense, which is a step in the right direction. In the previous meta, defense and offense were unbalanced, and ideally, they should be balanced. The defensive improvements are as follows:

Man Marking: During kickoff, the defending AI player's marking becomes more aggressive.
Sprint Jockey: Slightly increased speed, making manual defending more effective.
Tackle: Fixed an issue where the ball would incorrectly bounce back to the attacker after a tackle, and improved the tackle animation.
Corner Kick: Increased the number of players dropping back to defend against a Short Corner Kick.
Goalkeeper: Improved AI logic.

Players previously complained that kickoffs and short corner kicks were too overpowered, allowing some players to abuse them and defeat stronger opponents. Officials are indeed working on fixing this issue, but based on player feedback, kickoffs have only been improved but not eliminated. Short Corner Kicks are still effective, but may be more difficult to execute.

Overall, after strengthening defense, many players feel that opponents can easily shut down the field with counterattacks, while they are unable to break through their defenses, resulting in fewer goals. While the attacking team may have been in an advantageous position, the strengthened defense makes defense more effective than offense, potentially increasing the required FC 26 coins for defensive players.

Passing Improvements

Passing performance was decent and didn't require any changes per se, but there are still some improvements:

Ground and Lofted Through Passes: Better respects player aiming input, with less assist.
Low Crosses: Fixed an issue where passes sometimes ended up as regular crosses.
First Time Passes: Improved responsiveness.

Dribbling Nerfs

The dribbling nerfs were the most controversial aspect of this update, and the specific changes are as follows:

Controlled Sprint Dribble: Speed has been reduced.
R1 Dribbling Nerf: R1 dribbling has been significantly nerfed.
Left Stick Dribbling Nerf: Basic left stick dribbling has become clunky and unresponsive.

These changes have slowed down the overall attack, making all tacklers' turns, movements, and ball control feel slow and laggy. Holding the R1 button no longer keeps the ball under control. Instead, players frequently kick the ball over a meter, completely losing the ability to close control.

This change directly alters the game's meta. The previous R1 dribbling technique is essentially useless. To recreate the immediate effect, you must now combine it with L1 Dribbling and switch to R1 Dribbling at the appropriate time. Overall, however, R1 Dribbling has been completely ruined.

Other Changes

FUT Mode

Added Objective tracking. You can add Objective groups as Favorites and view your progress in the in-game pause menu.
Added a preview feature for Evolution consumables, allowing you to preview the upgrade requirements and availability of player items before you own them.
Added the ability to sort SBC menu by Newest or Expiry.
Added numerous improvements to reward settings, UI display, and market interactions.

Career Mode

Reduced Manager Market email spam and redundant notifications.
Fixed logic issues with end-of-season evaluations, Caretaker ratings, and AI career stability.
Fixed visual and logical errors in some UI and simulation data.

Impact Of Patch 1.1.0

The most significant impact of Patch 1.1.0 is the reduction in the skill gap between players of different skill levels. Before the update, the game demonstrated a high skill gap through precise left-stick dribbling and playmaking, allowing skilled players to win easily. However, after the update, the increased automation of defense and the lack of offensive tools have narrowed the gap between high-skill players and average players.

However, the post-update gameplay clearly favors players who use Park the Bus, defend with CDMs, and then rely on Skill Moves like Elastico and Mcgeady Cancel Skill to counterattack.

Patch 1.1.0 is a devastating blow to high-skill players and offensive players, but for more average players, they can completely leave their defense to the AI. As long as their CB and CDM are strong enough, making it difficult for opponents to break through the defense, giving them a chance to compete against high-level players.

For truly skilled offensive players, while the dribbling nerf means they can't attack with the same freedom as before, they can still create offensive opportunities creatively.

The R1 dribbling nerf has a game-changing impact and will undoubtedly significantly alter the market. Players who excel at dribbling and defending will be worth more FUT 26 coins. However, you can't say this change is inherently bad, as it allows more players to enjoy the game. However, the correct balance may be to continue strengthening manual defending to counter strong dribbling, rather than simply nerfing a core offensive skill.

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Previous: EA FC 26 Coins Farming In Ultimate Team Tips | Master Team Chemistry, SBCs And More

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EA FC 26 Coins Farming In Ultimate Team Tips | Master Team Chemistry, SBCs And More
After a major update focused on player experience, FC 26 now allows you to earn more rewards while enjoying a fun virtual football experience - assuming you master the necessary tricks.

As the primary source of coins and card packs, Ultimate Team remains the most popular mode for most FIFA 26 players. While it encompasses a variety of gameplay options, the unifying factor is its strong competitive nature.

Therefore, if you want to earn rewards across all Ultimate Team modes, there are some universal tips you should master that we'll cover below.

Improve Team Chemistry

The total chemistry value of your team is determined by the number of points each player possesses. Each player can typically earn up to three points, so the overall chemistry value for your team is at least 26, with 33 being the ideal.

We recommend maximizing your team chemistry because each point of increased chemistry grants a player a bonus attribute, which can significantly impact your chances of winning matches.

While not having chemistry won't bring negative influence, utilizing all valuable mechanics is something any aspiring EA FC player should strive for.

If achieving a 3 chemistry value for every player on your team is challenging, we recommend prioritizing improving your core midfielders, forwards, and center backs, or enhancing your star players.

Of course, you can earn chemistry points by yourself in FUT 26. The more players on your team come from the same club, league, or country, the more points you earn, up to a maximum of 8.

Complete More SBCs To Earn Rewards

Earning FC 26 coins requires winning more games in Ultimate Team, which is one of the most direct ways to improve your team's quality. To achieve this, you need to consistently recruit powerful players.

While there are many ways to earn cards or card packs, completing SBCs is undoubtedly the most enjoyable. SBCs' full name is Squad Building Challenges, are updated in real time based on the latest in-game promotions to offer the best rewards.

While players awarded by SBCs are untradeable and have a limited lifespan, they can certainly improve your team's strength in a short period. The following SBCs are available recently:
- Max. 87 Base Icon Upgrade
- EOAE Busquets
- Ligue 1 Player of the Month
- Ratings Reload: Ilan Kebbal
- Red Bull Aerial Challenge
- World Tour Silver Superstars League
Seize The Best Trading Opportunities

As you know, selling player cards or player items on the market is an effective way to earn coins. However, due to the regular updates to Ultimate Team, the value of some tradable items fluctuates.

A general rule of thumb is to sell when a player is valuable, or trade for a desired player when the market is low. If you're focused on earning coins, we recommend focusing on Fridays at 7:00 PM.

New Ultimate Team content is often released around this time, and being upfront about this information can help you predict upcoming market fluctuations and develop the best coin farming strategies.

Adding Icons Or Hero Players To Your Team

While this may require you to buy FC 26 coins, as both icons and hero players are worth tens or even hundreds of thousands of coins, the resulting profits are definitely worth it.

For example, when Icon players are in their natural positions, they gain the most chemistry, providing the most benefits to their team and their teammates of the same nationality.

Hero players are unique in that, while they also help the team improve through chemistry, their benefits are more league-based, and team building typically revolves around shared leagues.

Based on this, combining these two types of players will allow you to easily achieve our recommended team chemistry requirements, making it easier to complete SBCs and other Ultimate Team matches, and quickly earn 26 FUT coins.

The following are the current Icon and Hero players worth recruiting:

Icon Players:
- Zlatan Ibrahimović
- Andrés Iniesta
- Oliver Kahn
- Alex Morgan
- Toni Kroos
- Caroline Seger
- Marcelo
- Giorgio Chiellini
- Francesco Totti
- Steffi Jones
- Sissi
- Cha Bum-Kun
Hero Players:
- Louisa Necib
- Simone Laudehr
- Michel Salgado
- Ivan Zamorano
- Jill Scott
- Ricardo Quaresma
- De Rossi
- Pablo Aimar
Utilize Evolutions When They're Suitable

Evolution is an event in FIFA series. It allows you to evolve specific players' attributes by completing various tasks, upgrading them into more powerful and valuable cards.

Note that with each new season, Ultimate Team will introduce new evolution slots with specific requirements. While this may limit your player evolutions, the benefits are definitely worth it.

When selecting players for your current evolution, remember to check whether the available evolutions meet your expectations for that player: for example, addressing weaknesses or enhancing strengths.

This not only influences how you deploy that player in future matches, but also ensures you have a sound understanding of your Ultimate Team, helping you build a unique and powerful squad.

Pay Attention To New Changes

We mentioned two things at the outset: first, Ultimate Team consists of multiple specific gameplay styles; and second, FC 26 has received several updates. Therefore, paying attention to changes in each gameplay style is crucial to improving your win rate.

Now, to experience Champions mode, simply earn points by achieving a good ranking in Division Rivals, which qualifies you for Champions mode without having to complete additional qualifying matches.

In addition, a new Challengers mode has been added for players who don't have enough Division Rival points. With exclusive mechanics and rewards, you can experience a more advanced competitive experience similar to Champions, but with a more friendly feel.

We hope the methods we've introduced here will help you earn enough coins early on. But what you need to remember is not to squander in any way. Even if you really want to exchange for a star player, you must make sure that he can help your team building!

If you don't have enough time to implement all the suggestions above, shopping at the trusted FUT 26 coins store IGGM might be a quicker option!
EA FC 26 Ultimate Team Best Formations | Meta Tactics, Player Roles & Pro Tips
EA Sports FC 26 is a highly competitive game where both your players and tactics are crucial. Like chess pieces, your players must be positioned and used wisely - to win, you need to be a master tactician, ensuring they perform impeccably both offensively and defensively.

The most fundamental tactic in FUT 26 is the formation. While there are many formations in the game, it's clear that not all are effective, and some are considered meta choices. Below are a few of the most popular meta formations in the current version, along with their strengths, weaknesses, and player placements.

1. 4-5-1 (Flat) / 4-1-4-1

Both formations feature a four-defender, five-midfielder setup. These formations are increasingly favored by advanced players.

Both formations are characterized by their defensive stability. They form a full bank of five and a compact midfield three, resulting in a very tight defensive formation.

Note that this is not a fast, counter-attacking setup but rather a slow, progressive one, better suited for players who prefer possession-based, methodical play.

Tactical Arrangement:
- Build-Up Style: Counter
- Defensive Approach: Balanced (60)
Player Roles:
- ST: Advanced Forward (Attack)
- LM: Inside Forward (Balanced)
- RM: Inside Forward (Balanced)
- LCM: Playmaker (Attack)
- CM: Deep-Lying Playmaker (Defend)
- RCM: Box-to-Box Midfielder (Balanced)
- LB: Fullback (Defend)
- LCB: Defender+ (Defend)
- RCB: Defender+ (Defend)
- RB: Fullback (Defend)
- GK: Goalkeeper (Defend)
The above setup represents 4-5-1 (Flat). It's essentially the same as 4-1-4-1 and can be easily switched between the two. 4-1-4-1 provides a defensive midfielder, which is easier for players who are used to playing with CDM.

2. 4-4-2 (Flat) / 4-4-1-1

These two formations feature a back four, a midfield four, and two strikers. They allow for high-pressure play during attack, allowing for a large number of players in the penalty area and creating numerous chances. However, the downside is that there can be gaps between the four midfielders and the two forwards, requiring your FC 26 players to develop strong passing and dribbling skills to connect the play.

Tactical Arrangement:
- Build-Up Style: Counter
- Defensive Approach: Balanced (60)
Player Roles:
- ST: False 9+ (Attack)
- ST: Poacher (Attack)
- LM: Inside Forward (Balanced)
- RM: Inside Forward (Balanced)
- CM: Deep-Lying Playmaker (Defend)
- CM: Box-to-Box Midfielder (Balanced)
- LB: Fullback (Defend)
- LCB: Defender (Defend)
- RCB: Defender (Defend)
- RB: Fullback (Defend)
- GK: Goalkeeper (Balanced)
4-4-1-1 formation is almost identical to 4-4-2 (Flat), but the attacking midfielder in 4-4-1-1 can act as a shadow striker - similar to 4-2-3-1 (Wide) - helping link the midfield while simulating a two-striker system, simulating a two-striker system while also filling gaps in the midfield. These two formations are suitable for attacking FUT 26 players who seek high firepower and possess advanced mechanical skills.

3. 4-2-3-1 (Wide)

4-2-3-1 (Wide) formation consists of a back four, two defensive midfielders, an attacking midfielder, two wingers, and a striker. The presence of a defensive midfielder is this formation's greatest advantage, greatly improving defensive stability. While attacking opportunities may be slightly less than in a 4-4-2, better defense means more potential wins in the long run.

Tactical Arrangement:
- Build-Up Style: Counter
- Defensive Approach: Balanced (60)
Player Roles:
- ST: Advanced Forward (Attack)
- LM: Inside Forward (Balanced)
- CAM: Shadow Striker (Attack)
- RM: Inside Forward (Balanced)
- CDM: Deep-Lying Playmaker (Defend)
- CDM: Box Crasher (Balanced)
- LB: Fullback (Defend)
- CB: Defender (Defend)
- CB: Defender (Defend)
- RB: Fullback (Defend)
- GK: Goalkeeper (Defend)
This formation is one of the most reliable and universal formations. It is highly recommended for most players, especially those who are still in the exploration stage or want to steadily improve their ranking.

4. 4-1-2-1-2 (Narrow)

The structure of 4-1-2-1-2 is four defenders, one defensive midfielder, three midfielders in a diamond formation, and two strikers. Its defining feature is a densely packed midfield during defense, effectively protecting the central area. However, its fatal weakness is the empty flanks, making them easily penetrated by opponents who are good at exploiting the flanks.

Tactical Arrangement:
- Build-Up Style: Counter
- Defensive Approach: Balanced (60)
Player Roles:
- ST: Advanced Forward (Attack)
- ST: Advanced Forward (Attack)
- CAM: Shadow Striker (Attack)
- CM: Box-to-Box Midfielder (Balanced)
- CM: Box-to-Box Midfielder (Balanced)
- CDM: Deep-Lying Playmaker (Defend)
- LB: Fullback (Defend)
- CB: Defender (Defend)
- CB: Defender (Defend)
- RB: Fullback (Defend)
- GK: Goalkeeper (Defend)
This formation works well in lower divisions, where opponents may struggle to exploit its weaknesses. So it is a very effective formation. However, when facing top players, the weakness of the wing will be infinitely magnified, so professional players basically do not use it.

General Tactical Settings

Set your defensive depth around 60 - a balanced and flexible setting that can be adjusted according to the match situation. Offensively, we recommend using Counter, as advanced players frequently utilize advanced techniques like L1 triggering, player locking, and creative movement. If you're not adept at these, counter-attacking tactics can better simulate their offensive movements.

Compared to previous years, FC 26 offers a wider variety of formations, and even professional players are experimenting more - a positive trend for tactical diversity.

However, while attacking formations like 4-4-2 are powerful, they require a high level of skill. If you're not skilled enough, forcing them into play can lead to losses. Choosing a formation that suits your skill level is crucial. It's best to stick with a formation that works for you and only make minor adjustments, rather than constantly switching tactics.

For average players seeking the most reliable and effective options, 4-2-3-1 or 4-2-1-3 formations are highly recommended. These formations, with their defensive midfielders, provide the best defensive foundation, statistically resulting in more wins. However, the current defensive system has some flaws, and a back three is easily exploited by opponents, so avoid them.
EA FC 26 Ultimate Scream | Leaked Players, Pogba SBC, And Best Coin Investment Tips For Halloween Event
One of EA FC 26's most exciting promotions, Ultimate Scream, will launch on October 24th. This Halloween-themed promotion features more fun-filled player cards than ever before.

As the event approaches, leakers are releasing more and more information about Ultimate Scream promotion. Currently, leaks are revealing cards related to SBCs. Let's take a look at this leak and how to invest in advance.

Ultimate Scream

Ultimate Scream first debuted in FIFA 17, but after FIFA 20, Ultimate Scream promotion seemed to have been forgotten. Now, it's back.

What makes Ultimate Scream promotion so memorable for players is that, in addition to the Halloween-themed player cards, certain players will receive significant attribute boosts for a limited time, such as reaching 99 pace or defense. These attribute boosts activate periodically, and during this period, ordinary cards will struggle to match them.

When not activated, they behave like regular cards, making this a fun promotion, and you don't have to worry about them disrupting the current meta. Ultimate Scream cards are only temporarily powerful, after all, but each card will still be highly sought after, so by all means, stock up on FUT 26 coins.

Compared to previous card designs, EA Sports FC 26 Ultimate Scream card design is quite cool. The back features a crescent moon and fangs, reminiscent of werewolves and vampires. While the player list hasn't been leaked yet, I'm highly hopeful Suarez will be on it (after all, he likes to bite).

Leaked SBCs

SBCs leaked by Ultimate Scream currently feature Paul Pogba, a midfielder from French Ligue 1 team Monaco. He comes in two versions:

86 OVR Paul Pogba CDM, Intercept
- PAC: 76
- SHO: 78
- PAS: 83
- DRI: 85
- DEF: 86
- PHY: 84
86 OVR Paul Pogba CAM, Incisive Pass
- PAC: 80
- SHO: 83
- PAS: 86
- DRI: 88
- DEF: 60
- PHY: 70
Both cards are quite good, with excellent stats for both offense and defense, but you can only choose one. Intercept + is the best playstyle for a midfielder, but the 86 defense and 76 pace might make him a bit slow in midfield.

Paul Pogba attacking midfielder version might be better. Firstly, Incisive Pass+ is very good, and it can also help Paul Pogba improve his dribbling and long-range shooting in the game.

Other Leaked Players

90 OVR Joshua Kimmich CDM and 90 OVR Vinicius Jr. LW will appear on the promo card. The leaker's predicted roster is as follows:
- 90 OVR Vinícius Jr ST
- 89 OVR Joshua Kimmich RB
- 89 OVR Antonio Di Natale LW Icon
- 88 OVR Marek Hamšík CM Icon
- 89 OVR Javier Mascherano CDM Icon
- 89 OVR Tobin Heath RW
- 88 OVR Jorge Campos GK Icon
- 88 OVR Sakina Karchaoui LB
- 87 OVR Peter Crouch CAM Icon
- 87 OVR Bryan Mbeumo ST
- 86 OVR Rafael Leão ST
- 86 OVR Tella CAM
- 86 OVR Thomas Müller ST
- 85 OVR Dani Carvajal RB
- 85 OVR Álex Berenguer CAM
- 85 OVR Noni Madueke RW
- 84 OVR Pablo Fornals CM
- 84 OVR Luis Díaz LW
- 84 OVR Douglas Costa RW
How To Invest?

If you're planning to prepare for this event, such as participating in SBCs or obtaining card packs, you'll need to reserve FIFA 26 coins in advance. Ultimate Scream cards will undoubtedly sell more readily than keystone cards, and their value will be very high. Here are some ways to accumulate coins in advance.

Bronze Pack

Opening all Bronze Pack (750 coins) players and selling them, or hoarding Bronze players and waiting for them to increase in demand due to Marquee Matchups or SBCs, is considered time-consuming and inefficient.

Preview Pack

Hoping to quickly profit from opening a high-value player (such as Francesco Totti) through the free daily preview packs is theoretically faster, but the success rate is extremely low, and you'll need to wait for the 24-hour cooldown, making it unreliable.

SBCs

Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba's SBCs are coming soon. Combined with Lionel Messi, this Barcelona-Inter Miami lineup is poised to be incredibly popular.

Sergio Busquets, a strong defensive midfielder, possesses Icon Chemistry, effectively becoming the first Icon SBC of the year. This will undoubtedly squeeze the market value of other top-tier cards in the same position, leading to a decrease in demand.

In addition to this, this week will also see the release of Max 87 Hero SBC, Pogba SBC, Foden SBC, Frederico Rodrigues SBC, and a new Legend SBC.

These SBCs will significantly increase demand for FOD cards, making investing in them a very safe investment and a guaranteed way to earn a lot of coins.

Recommended cards to collect are Gold cards with an OVR of 86 or 87. These are the safest investments, as historical data shows they periodically increase in value during SBC releases. However, avoid hoarding cards that cost over 13,000 coins.

Friday Flipping

On the first day of Ultimate Scream event, you can also take advantage of the dramatic price fluctuations of newly released, high-demand player cards by flipping.

The first low in value typically occurs during the peak pack opening period (approximately 1-2 hours after Ultimate Scream releases). Hoarding these cards allows you to profit from the subsequent price rebound. A second low may occur later in the evening, allowing you to sell them again on Saturday morning. This strategy carries a high risk and requires a thorough understanding of EA FC 26 market.

The Ultimate Scream sale doesn't officially begin until Friday, so if you're looking forward to it, don't miss out, as it's unclear whether it will return in FIFA 27.

Ultimate Scream sale promotion is expected to be even more popular than Cornerstone promotion , so have you got your coins ready? Don't worry if you haven't yet, there are cheap FC 26 coins available on IGGM platform!
EA FC 26 Best Formations Ranked | Top Meta Tactics For World Tour Silver Superstars
EA FC 26 World Tour Silver Superstars League is currently underway. Due to the limited number of matches played in this mode, only truly skilled players will claim the ultimate rewards.

There are many excellent Silver players, and building a Silver team doesn't require many EA Sports FC 26 coins. Therefore, building an elite Silver team isn't difficult; the real difference lies in player utilization and formation and tactical planning.

There are many formations available in the game, and while some have their strengths and weaknesses, some are at a disadvantage in both offense and defense, making them easy targets for opponents. Let's take a look at which formations are currently working well.

Tier S

4-4-2 (Parallel)

4-4-2 (Parallel) is the first meta formation in FC 26. This classic formation offers a clear structure and balanced offense and defense, making it a reliable choice for many advance players. With two forwards pressing forward and midfield support behind the defense, it might not be as flexible as formations with a heavy midfield or wide wings at a high level.

If you're looking for the most stable formation, then 4-4-2 (Parallel) is undoubtedly it. It excels in passing, positioning, and defending, and can even counter some formations.

4-2-3-1 (Narrow) / 4-2-3-1 (Wide)

Both are meta formations, using a double defensive midfielder to provide a defensive barrier while three central midfielders create opportunities. However, improper mechanics or player configuration can lead to pressure from the center or penetration from the wings. You can decide based on your FIFA 26 players pool. If you have a good CAM, go with the narrow version; if you only have wingers, go with the wide version. This formation offers excellent passing, positioning, and movement, and is used by players of all levels.

Tier A

4-1-2-1-2 (Narrow)

4-1-2-1-2 formation is designed for players who prefer attacking play over boring football, but it also requires high defensive skills. Due to its compactness, it's one of the most difficult formations to penetrate. The midfield allows for intricate tiki-taka combinations, while the CM drops deep to form a solid defensive line with the CDM in defense.

4-3-1-2

4-3-1-2 formation's strengths lie in its midfield control and the pressure it places on the opponent's defense thanks to its two attackers up front. Its weaknesses include a lower commitment from the wingers, which can leave opponents wide or on the counterattack. If you excel at playing short passes in midfield, exploiting central space, and using the right tactical instructions, this formation can bring you victory in Division Rivals and FUT Champions.

4-2-2-2

4-2-2-2 formation's double defensive midfielders provide defensive depth, while the two attacking midfielders and two forwards create more attacking opportunities. However, if the CAMs are positioned incorrectly, this can lead to poor coordination between midfield and forwards, and the width down the flanks may be limited.

If you have several excellent CAMs in your player pool and want more attacking options, this formation is worth trying, but defensive positioning and coverage must be considered.

4-5-1 (Double CAM)

The five central midfielders can effectively control the ball and press the opponent's midfield, while also providing numerical support during counterattacks or when in possession. If you have a large midfield and are adept at possession and arranging plays, this formation will be difficult for opponents to handle. However, if your attacking core is weak, your attacking effectiveness will be lower.

4-3-3 (Attack)

4-3-3 inherently excels at wide play, pressing, and tactical flexibility. If you prefer to rely on wingers, favor quick counterattacks, or play wide, this version of 4-3-3 may be your preferred choice. However, if your team's main midfielder is more central and weak on the wings, choose this formation carefully, as the other variants are currently less effective than the attacking variants.

Tier B
- 4-3-2-1: This was the best formation in FC 24, but it's less common in FIFA 26, while it's still a good formation.
- 4-1-2-1-2 (Wide): Excellent offensively and suitable for possession, but extremely weak defensively.
- 4-3-3 (1 CDM + 2 CM): This formation lacks a CAM to connect the attack and defense.
- 4-2-4: Extremely offensive, but weak defensively. It might only be used for desperate counterattacks in the last ten minutes and isn't suitable for full-time use.
- 4-3-3 (2 CDM + 1 CM): The double defensive midfielders provide strong defense, but the central defenders are too defensive and difficult to participate in the attack.
- 4-1-4-1: This is a standard, possession-based formation, whose effectiveness depends on the midfield configuration.
- 4-5-1 (3 CM + LM/RM): Requires a midfielder capable of both attacking and defending. Otherwise, the first variant of 4-5-1 with two CAMs is recommended.
- 3-5-2: The only reasonably usable three-at-the-back formation, with two CDMs and the ability to have LM/RM track back.
Tier C
- 3-4-3
- 5-2-3
- 5-4-1
- 5-1-2-2
- 3-4-2-1
- 3-1-4-2
- 4-1-3-2
Due to the manual defending requirements in FC 26, defending is more challenging than ever, and three- and five-at-the-back formations lead to numerous goals conceded. Overly forward play in both attack and defense exposes weaknesses to the opponent. As the only exception is an exceptionally defensively sound formation, relying heavily on the movement of the full-backs.

The above is a brief review of EA FC 26 formations. However, formations aren't a one-size-fits-all approach. Maximizing their effectiveness depends heavily on your player pool, operational habits, and player instructions.

Using Meta formations, you can deploy the right players in key positions. Besides high stats for pace and defense, you'll also need a suitable Playstyle, or even Playstyle+. You can buy reliable and affordable FUT 26 coins on IGGM to enhance your formation.
EA FC 26 World Tour Silver Superstars Guide | Best Silver Players, Rewards, And Market Tips
Hello EA Sports FC 26 players, World Tour Silver Superstars is now live. This is undoubtedly a fantastic mode, as in FIFA 26, your main players are typically gold or event cards, with silver cards rarely appearing.

This event allows you to put your silver cards to good use, and even players without a large FUT 26 coin stash can participate. There are differences between Silver cards, and choosing the right one will help you optimize your strategy.

World Tour Silver Superstars Rewards

This is a new limited-time game mode with a limited number of attempts. By completing goal-scoring missions across various matches, players can earn various untradeable card packs:
- 1. Provisions: Play 1 match in any Ultimate Team game mode. Reward: Rare Silver Players Pack (Untradeable)
- 2. Time to Build: Play 1 match in World Tour Silver Superstars League. Reward: Rare England Silver Players Pack (Untradeable)
- 3. It's Coming Home: Assist 1 goal in World Tour Silver Superstars League. Reward: England Badge (Untradeable)
- 4. Atmospheric Fear: Score 2 goals in a match in World Tour Silver Superstars League. Reward: Club Anthem (Untradeable)
- 5. 3 Lions on the Shirt: Score 1 goal in World Tour Silver Superstars League. Reward: Unknown Tifo (Untradeable)
- 6. Raise the TIFO: Play 2 matches in World Tour Silver Superstars League, rewards Unknown Tifo (Untradeable)
- 7. Cathedral of Football: Play 3 matches in World Tour Silver Superstars League, reward Wembley Stadium (Untradeable)
- 8. Thematic Glory: Play 4 matches in World Tour Silver Superstars League, reward Unknown Stadium Theme (Untradeable)
- 9. Play 5: Play 5 matches in World Tour Silver Superstars League, reward 1 of 3 81+ England Player Pick (Untradeable)
- 10. Win 5: Win 5 matches in World Tour Silver Superstars League, rewards 3 × 81+ Rare Gold Players Pack (Untradeable)
- 11. Play 10: Play 10 matches in World Tour Silver Superstars League, rewards 5 × 81+ Rare Gold Players Pack (Untradeable)
- 12. Win 10: Win 10 matches in World Tour Silver Superstars League, reward 3 × 83+ Rare Gold Players Pack (Untradeable)
- 13. Play 15: Play 15 matches in World Tour Silver Superstars League, reward 1 of 3 84+ England Player Pick (Untradeable)
- 14. Win 15: Win 15 matches in World Tour Silver Superstars League, rewards 87+ PL/BWSL Player Pack (Untradeable)
- 15. Play 18: Play 18 matches in World Tour Silver Superstars League, rewards England Cornerstones/RR/Base Hero Pack (Untradeable)
How To Select Players?

Since the launch of World Tour Silver Superstars League, which requires players to build a lineup of Silver FUT 26 players, demand for high-pace Silver players has skyrocketed. Some outstanding Silver players are currently fetching thousands or even tens of thousands of coins. Check your club for high-pace Silver players from popular leagues - you can sell them to earn a significant amount of coins.

When building your players, focus on players from less popular leagues, as they often have excellent attributes and offer high value. Prioritize players with pace, dribbling, and key playstyles. Avoid popular leagues like Premier League and instead look for cost-effective players from other leagues.

Here are some recommended players:
- 74 OVR Akpoguma CB: Tall, with good defensive and speed attributes, currently worth approximately 2,000 coins.
- 74 OVR Brajan Gruda CM/CAM/RM: He has good dribbling attributes and has useful playstyles such as Pinged Pass, Technical, First Touch, and Long Throw.
- 74 OVR Anass Zaroury LM/CAM/LW: In addition to 4-star skills and a 5-star weak foot, his stats are surprisingly good, but his league makes him somewhat underrated.
- 70 OVR Wellington Silva LM/RM/ST/LW: His speed and dribbling are very strong among silver cards.
- 74 OVR Louis Munteanu ST/CAM: Similar to Wellington Silva, he has good speed and dribbling, and has a useful playerstyle.
- 74 OVR Godoy RM/RB: Godoy has fast speed, good dribbling, and a blocking style.
- 72 OVR Agustín Bouza CM/CDM: His pace, dribbling, and physics are all good, and he has a blocking style.
- 74 OVR Exequiel Zeballos RM/RW/LW: He has 5-star skills, 88 speed, and a dribbling playerstyle.
- 73 OVR Matias Catalan RB/CB: With 80 pace for a defender, which is cost-effective.
- 73 OVR Lewis Morgan ST/LM/CAM: He is a very powerful striker among the silver cards. In addition to being very fast, he also has a 5-star weak-foot.
- 72 OVR Robinson CB: He has fast pace (82) and physics (79), but the demand is currently declining. If you want to try him, you can wait a little.
- 73 OVR Emmanuel Latte Lath ST: This card has an amazing pace of 91 and has Rapid and Advanced Forward+ styles.
- 74 OVR Sekou Koita ST/CAM: besides his 92 pace, his dribbling and 4 stars weak foot play make him the most dangerous striker among the silver cards.
- 74 OVR Badou Ndiaye CDM: Very well-rounded, with Anticipate Slide Tackle and Rapid playstyles.
- 72 OVR Henry Onyekuru LM/LW: A very strong card with excellent speed and excellent play in both LM and LW, making this a very cost-effective Silver card.
- 74 OVR Cesar Fernando Silva dos Santos (Cesinha) CAM/ST/CM/LW This card has 5-star skills and a 5-star weak-foot, and has a lot of uses. This card can be sold for 10,000 FIFA EA FC 26 coins in the market. The market demand is very high.
The above is a brief overview of World Tour Silver Superstars League event. There are many excellent Silver cards, so you can filter them to find the most cost-effective lineup.

World Tour Silver Superstars League event has made Silver cards, which were previously relatively unknown, very popular, but some players may not be prepared for the silver card market before. If you need more coins to build a Silver team, IGGM can provide you with reliable and secure FUT 26 coins.
EA FC 26 Top Attacking Techniques | Mastering More For Higher Scores

While football is just a sport, its specific gameplay is almost like a battle dedicated to the pitch. Whether you're a real football player or just enjoying EA FC 26, you need to understand the offensive and defensive techniques involved in the game.

Generally speaking, if you want to score more goals as an attacking player by landing more accurate shots and scoring more points for your team, you need to master attacking skills.

And "attack" actually consists of multiple elements, including passing, dribbling, shooting, and playmaking.

Based on these offensive elements, this article will introduce several attacking techniques that can increase your scoring chances in FIFA 26.

L1 Stop

This technique gets its name from the fact that it requires L1 button on PS controllers. More specifically, L1 Stop is related to passing and dribbling. It makes your movements unpredictable during play, making it harder for opponents to anticipate your attacks.

Press L1 button (or LB button on Xbox) without any other actions, and your player will come to a complete stop and begin facing the goal. Then, your player will quickly turn around without any left stick movement.

If you then pass directly to the striker, a through pass after pressing L1 button is even more effective. This allows your player to come to a complete stop, remaining calmer, and without any additional pressure.

As for L1 Stop's effectiveness with dribbling, it's useful if you find yourself losing the ball to the opposing defender if you continue in the direction you're moving.

By quickly pressing L1 button, you can use L1 Stop with a bouncing ball, a reverse bouncing ball, or even a skill move. Once you've come to a complete stop, your player will have ample vision to execute a thorough pass.

If you're using it for dribbling, you can use a skill move to get past the opposing defender after your player has come to a complete stop with L1 Stop.

Related: EA FC 26 Best Defensive Tips | Offside Traps, Player Switching, Tackling & Tactical Fouls Guide

Lofted Through Pass

The lofted through pass is extremely effective in EA FC 26, effectively disrupting the opposing team's attacking plans. This technique causes the ball to fly into open space and be lifted off the ground, making it more difficult for defenders to intercept.

Also, if you want to play a through a pass between two defenders, Lofted Through Pass can accomplish this.

It's worth noting that if you see your opponent using this technique and want to prevent it, you can consume FIFA 26 coins to recruit players with Incisive Pass Playstyle to help you. For other players, preventing this technique isn't 100% effective.

To complete this move, double-click the triangle button on a PlayStation controller or Y button on your Xbox controller. This indicates the amount of force you want to apply to the through ball.

First Time Pass

This passing technique is actually very similar to Tiki Taka Playstyle, the key being that you actively lure the opponent into attacking from behind or close range.

On Xbox controller, press R1 or RB to see the player you're targeting with the analog stick receiving the ball from close range. Pressing L1 or LB will show that player attempting to attack from behind or pass after your player passes the ball.

By holding L1 and R1, you can have your players swerve to create more attacking space or have them make quick passes. In short, you need to find ways to get your players to cut in from behind or get closer to the receiving point.

Shot Cancel

FUT 26 has a moving goalkeeper mechanic. If they even move slightly, the ball will be saved. Therefore, if you want to shoot in the penalty area while facing them, it's best to learn Shot Cancel strategy.

After canceling your shot, you can see if the opponent moves their goalkeeper. If they do, shoot at the near post; if not, shoot at the far post. This clearly shifts the initiative back to you.

However, it's important to note that this technique should only be used against a moving goalkeeper and when you have ample space and time. Overuse will only increase your opponent's defense.

To use Shot Cancel, press R2 and L2 buttons simultaneously on PlayStation, or RT & LT buttons simultaneously on Xbox. If you then decide to shoot, you must press R2 and L2 buttons simultaneously.

Flare Pass

If you're attacking and the opposing defender is nearby, you can use Flare Pass to escape this situation, giving your players more space before passing the ball. This skill is used quite frequently in high-level leagues.

To use it, hold down R1 and L1, then flick the right stick to the right or left of your player. Note that you must pass the ball after your player has performed a skill move, which makes the pass less predictable and faster.

Driven Ground Cross

This cross allows you to arc the ball around the opposing defender, ensuring it reaches your player. This is particularly effective if your formation features two wings.

Or, when you're preparing for a counterattack, such as when your winger is dribbling the ball and you see your striker on the defensive line, a cross from the winger to the striker can lead to many goals.

To perform a Driven Ground Cross, hold down R1 and L1 simultaneously, then cross twice. The first button determines the desired force, while the second button adds a slight arc to Driven Ground Cross.

That's all for this tutorial. Hopefully, these tips will help you improve your FUT 26 match win rate and earn more rewards!

While mastering the tricks, you'd better buy more cheap FC 26 coins at IGGM, so that you can always exchange for reliable players who you think can use attacking skills more skillfully to shoot and score goals in the game.