FC 26 Store

The first patch for EA Sports FC 26 in 2026, version 1.4.0, has finally arrived, and this update has sparked heated discussions within the player community.

In this update, you’ll see fewer AI defenders in the game, and more breathing room on the field. The overall gameplay will be more natural and fluid in terms of responsiveness and pace.

This article will detail the changes in this EA FC 26 patch and their impact on the gameplay experience.

Artificial Intelligence Changes

The focus of this update is on adjusting AI ​​defensive mechanisms. The reaction time of AI-controlled defenders when marking the ball carrier will be shortened, making offensive play less restricted for players.

This change means that players can find those fleeting gaps between defensive transitions to attack, instead of facing an impenetrable wall of AI defenders.

This is good news for players who prefer creative passing and movement rather than relying on fixed offensive patterns. Many passes will now be successful instead of being intercepted by those incredibly fast AI players as before.

However, for defensive-minded players, the weakening of defensive AI means that these AI players will be more disoriented on the field, potentially making the game more offense-oriented and putting them at a disadvantage. This change is not conducive to their competitive play.

Therefore, it’s clear that players’ core idea isn’t to weaken AI players, but to have developers create a new, dynamic balance between offense and defense in human-versus-AI matches, instead of simply making one side easier than the other.

However, EA has stated that to encourage more fluid offensive play, they will continue to monitor player feedback on the AI ​​changes and make further adjustments later.

CPU AI behavior in Squad Battles has also been positively adjusted. Previously, players often complained that CPU AI frequently held the ball for extended periods in low-possession situations, making the entire game passive and significantly affecting the gameplay experience.

Now, CPU AI will no longer focus on ball possession as before, but will adopt a more proactive offensive strategy, resulting in faster-paced and more exciting matches, giving players a more realistic competitive environment. 

Gameplay Adjustments

In this update, EA has changed and optimized the minimum and maximum height thresholds used to determine player running types. The minimum height requirement for long-distance running for male players is 185 cm, and 165 cm for female players, while the height requirements for other long-distance running types remain unchanged.

In addition, the developers have added more realistic scenarios to the game. For example, when two players with significantly different strength attributes engage in a shoulder-to-shoulder challenge, the player with lower strength will be more likely to stumble. Players with higher strength and aggression attributes will be better at shielding the ball.

These two changes avoid some distortions seen in previous versions, making the game closer to reality. They also enhance the differentiated experience of players, indicating that physical attributes will become an important consideration for club managers.

This means that when choosing between two players with similar attributes but different physical abilities using the same amount of FC 26 Coins, players will be more inclined to choose the one with superior physical attributes.

Besides the differentiation optimization for players, the update also adds an important feature: defenders can now perform automatic clearances when there is a clear goal-scoring opportunity on the goal line. This aims to enhance defensive reliability and make last-ditch interceptions more effective.

However, this function only applies at the last moment, when the defender can block a goal. This heavily tests players’ reaction abilities; being too sensitive might disrupt normal defensive actions, while being too conservative defeats the purpose of the feature. Whether players can react in time in the fast-paced game environment remains to be seen.

Finally, the developers have reduced the shooting accuracy of shots taken immediately after performing skill moves, reducing many unrealistic goal-scoring opportunities.

Career Mode Optimization

Career Mode has also received several structural updates. Player status information has been expanded into separate Contract and General fields, providing a clearer understanding of players’ negotiation willingness and potential, allowing players to focus more on strategic decision-making.

In Player Career, Archetype eligibility is now linked to Origin Stories, and Starting AP is replaced by Starting Skill Level, providing a more narrative-driven career experience. Meanwhile, the developers have also adjusted the job security logic for managers in unstable positions; ICONs and Heroes can now sign contracts up to 3 years, increasing the dynamism and realism of FC 26 and allowing players to be more immersed in the game.

In addition to the above, the developers have also added a New Release hub in Ultimate Team, making it easier for players to quickly view featured content and browse the latest squad challenges, objectives, and other information.

This patch is not just a series of gameplay adjustments, but also reflects a shift in EA Sports FC 26’s attitude towards players. During the transition from FIFA series to EA Sports FC series, the developers have consistently faced the challenge of how to retain the core experience while responding to criticism from the player community.

This update shows that EA FC 26 has clearly incorporated more feedback from the player community, particularly regarding adjustments to defensive AI and Squad Battles pace, directly addressing the most common criticisms on player forums and social media.

While player reactions have been mixed, these changes demonstrate the developers’ willingness to listen to player feedback, make adjustments, and improve the game. We look forward to FC 26 delivering an even better gaming experience in the next update.

The new year has arrived, and EA FC 26 has launched this year's New Year Overdrive Evolution in Ultimate Team. This is the first evolution mission of the new year, so seize this opportunity to give your players a perfect start to the new year.

This EVO primarily targets right-back (RB) players. Evolution will improve a player's overall rating, speed, crossing, ball control, and other attributes, making the player a stronger RB.

Furthermore, this EVO is completely free and does not require any FC 26 coins or FC Points to unlock, so you definitely shouldn't miss it. Below, I will introduce the detailed information about this New Year Overdrive, hoping it will be helpful to you.

Evolution requirements

All evolutions in FC 26 have requirements; not all player cards are eligible. Player cards must meet the following requirements to participate in this New Year Overdrive Evolution:

• Overall rating: Max 85
• Position: RB (CB not allowed)
• Defending: Max 82
• PlayStyles: Max 10
• PlayStyles+: Max one
• Must not be: World Tour Silver Superstars Icon

Therefore, you need to find players who meet the requirements based on your existing player cards and evolve them. While it won't immediately create a super player with a rating over 90, this evolution allows player cards to develop in a balanced way, improving in all aspects and enhancing the player's on-field performance.

Upgrade details

Player Bonuses

The evolution system includes five levels. Each level is unlocked by playing one match with your currently active evolved player, making it easy for even casual players to get started. The following are the buffs provided to players at each level:

Level 1 Upgrade:

• Overall: +15 (Max 87)
• Ball Control: +15 (Max 88)
• Skill Moves: +2 (Max 4 stars)
• PlayStyle: Quick Step
• Role: Attacking Wingback++

Level 2 Upgrade:

• Dribbling: +15 (Max 87)
• Long Passing: +25 (Max 85)
• Reactions: +15 (Max 88)
• Stamina: +15 (Max 88)
• PlayStyle: Pinged Pass

Level 3 Upgrade:

• Shooting: +30 (Max 83)
• Defending: +10 (Max 80)
• Aggression: +15 (Max 80)
• Balance: +15 (Max 88)
• Curve: +25 (Max 88)

Level 4 Upgrades:

• Agility: +15 (Max 93)
• Short Passing: +25 (Max 86)
• Sprint Speed: +15 (Max 91)
• Strength: +15 (Max 80)
• Composure: +15 (Max 85)
• Role: Wingback++

Level 5 Upgrades:

• Acceleration: +15 (Max 91)
• Crossing: +25 (Max 92)
• Vision: +25 (Max 85)
• PlayStyle+: Quick Step+
• PlayStyle: Technical
• Role: Inverted Wingback++

Once your player completes all upgrades, you'll create a well-rounded, modern RB, making him a more threatening force on the field.

Upgrade requirements

Each level upgrade requires you to play one match in Squad Battles mode on the lowest Semi Pro difficulty (or Rush, Rivals, Champions, or Live Events) using a currently active EVO player.

This means the entire evolution process only requires five matches, making it one of the easiest and fastest evolutions in FIFA 26.

New Year Overdrive player recommendations

Choosing the right starting player card is crucial to maximizing the evolution value, especially if you plan to continuously evolve him. Below are some players who are very suitable for this evolution, but they are not necessarily your best choices; you can use them as a reference.

Tajon Buchanan - 85 OVR

Tajon Buchanan is a good choice. His Thunderstruck card has an OVR of 85, indicating excellent athleticism and unlimited attacking potential. Although the card is marked as RM, most players prefer to place him in RB position, where he performs exceptionally well.

Timothy Weah - 85 OVR

Timothy Weah's Ultimate Scream card has an OVR of 85, but his Shooting is only 79. This upgrade will raise it to 83, a significant improvement, allowing him to be gradually developed into an all-around RB.

Wesley - 85 OVR

Wesley's World Tour card has an OVR of 85. This right-footed RB from Brazil possesses exceptional speed and dribbling ability, excelling in offensive transitions and defensive runs. This evolution will enhance his passing ability.

Alistair Johnston - 85 OVR

Alistair Johnston's Winter Wildcards SBC card has a rating of 85. This card is more versatile, allowing him to choose between RB and RM positions. Speed ​​and stamina are his strengths, and this evolution will significantly improve his Shooting.

Julian Araujo - 85 OVR

Julian Araujo World Tour card has an OVR of 85. This card's overall stats are quite balanced, with the only weakness being its Shooting ability at only 46. Therefore, choosing Julian Araujo for this evolution will greatly compensate for this deficiency.

Marcos Llorente Moreno - 84 OVR

Marcos Llorente's Gold Rare card has an OVR of 84. He is an all-around player who performs well in multiple positions on the team. This evolution perfectly suits the inside-cutting RB position. You can choose to enhance him to make Marcos Llorente even more perfect.

Malo Gusto - 84 OVR

Malo Gusto's TOTW card boasts an OVR of 84. This French RB is known for his speed, stamina, and modern fullback style. This evolution will also significantly improve his shooting ability.

Besides the players mentioned above, these are also good choices:

• Max Aarons: 84 OVR - UEL Primetime card;
• Niamh Charles: 84 OVR - Squad Foundations card;
• Jeremie Frimpong: 83 OVR - Gold Rare card;
• Idrissa Toure: 83 OVR - TOTW card;
• Lewis Miley: 83 OVR - TOTW card.

In short, New Year Overdrive Evolution is one of the most popular evolutions in EA FC 26, not only free but also quick to complete. So whether you're preparing to build a competitive team or planning for future evolutions, this Evolution is definitely worth a try.

According to the latest leaks, EA Sports FC 26 will launch a new event called Time Warp in January 2026. This event will allow players to pay tribute to legendary players from football history and create exclusive player cards for them.

These Time Warp cards not only have significantly improved attributes and overall ratings, but also recreate the highlights of players’ careers through unique animations, making them highly collectible.

If you want to build a high-level competitive team before Team of the Year or want to collect cards of your favorite players, then Time Warp is definitely not to be missed. This guide will tell you the specific content of Time Warp, the event schedule, the player lineup, and how to obtain the cards.

Event Content

According to reliable sources, Time Warp is the first major event in FC 26's Ultimate Team in 2026. Unlike previous events that focused on young talented players, this event includes many Flashback cards of football stars at their peak.

The player lineup for this event includes Lionel Messi, Thomas Müller, Marc-André ter Stegen, and many others, who will all receive a player card in FUT 26 that will boost their rating and improve attributes such as speed and shooting.

In addition, this event not only includes the aforementioned active star players, but also some beloved former players, such as James Milner, Ashley Young, etc. Although they may not have won the Ballon d’Or, their superb skills still hold a special place in the hearts of fans, so Time Warp also includes them.

These cards will not only have significantly improved attributes, but because many players have played for more than one top club and country during their careers, you can also use these cards to make your mixed team more cohesive and flexible.

However, because Time Warp is a brand-new event in FC 26, the exact number of cards is still uncertain, but based on previous events, the number of cards will be around 60-80. Besides the player cards from the two teams in the event, there will also be multiple SBCs and objective players, ensuring that players have a wider variety of card options.

Event Schedule

Although EA FC 26 has not yet announced the start time of the event, according to early information, the event will begin on January 2, 2026, at 10:00 PST and end on January 16 at 10:00 PST, lasting two weeks. During this period, there will also be many SBC (Squad Building Challenges) and objective tasks.

During these two weeks, the event will be divided into two main teams, with the release times as follows:

January 2, 2026, 10:00 AM PST: Time Warp Team 1 enters card packs

January 9, 2026, 10:00 AM PST: Time Warp Team 2 enters card packs

It’s worth noting that Team of the Year (TOTY) event will follow this event. This means you need to allocate your resources in Time Warp, including card packs and FC 26 Coins, with a longer-term perspective, preparing adequately for TOTY.

Team Members

Team 1

According to currently available information, Team 1 will feature veteran stars such as Lionel Messi, Luis Suárez, and Andrea Pirlo, making it a star-studded lineup. Here is the complete list:

• Alexandra Popp
• Andrea Pirlo (Icon)
• Anthony Nwakaeme
• Carles Puyol (Icon)
• Carvajal
• Chris Smalling
• Christian Günter
• Filip Kostić
• Florian Sotoca
• Garrincha (Icon)
• Granit Xhaka
• James McClean
• James Milner
• Jess Fishlock
• John Barnes (Icon)
• José Fonte
• Juan Mata
• Karen Araya
• Kevin Stöger
• Lionel Messi
• Luis Suárez
• Marc-André ter Stegen
• Marco Reus
• Mario Lemina
• Martin Cauteruccio
• Nelson Oliveira
• Paul Pogba
• Pizzi
• Roy Keane (Icon)
• Rubén García
• Shelina Zadorsky
• Sofie Junge Pedersen
• Steven Berghuis
• Patrick van Aanholt
• Emily van Egmond

Team 2

Team 2 will feature the ace player Cristiano Ronaldo, whose speed and shooting attributes will be greatly enhanced after Time Warp attribute boost, making him likely one of the most popular cards.

In addition, Team 2 also includes other highly skilled players such as Thomas Müller, who are also expected to be popular players. Here is the roster for Team Two:

• Casemiro
• Cristiano Ronaldo
• David de Gea
• Homare Sawa (Icon)
• Ibrahima Sissoko
• Jamie Vardy
• Juan Iturbe
• Kenny Lala
• Kyle Walker
• Mario Götze
• Pavel Nedvěd (Icon)
• Philipp Lahm (Icon)
• Thomas Müller

How to obtain them?

Time Warp cards are obtained in essentially the same way as regular cards; they may appear in any pack containing player cards. You can obtain them randomly by opening various card packs, or you can search for and purchase them directly on the transfer market.

However, packs containing more players are more likely to yield Time Warp cards. This means that choosing high-capacity or high-value packs will, to some extent, increase your chances of obtaining Time Warp cards.

The above details the specifics of the upcoming Time Warp event in EA Sports FC 26, including the event duration, player lineup, and how to obtain the cards. We will continue to monitor this event to provide you with more information as it becomes available.

EA Sports FC 26 has been released for three months now, and during this time, the game has generated immense discussion and attention worldwide.

The developers have introduced unprecedented major innovations in this title, systematically adjusting everything from game mechanics and graphics to core gameplay, making the game more playable.

Most notably, the developers have completely revamped the skill moves, making them not only visually stunning but also significantly more practical in actual gameplay.

In the latest patch, skill moves have increased offensive options and strategic choices, and the AI’s intelligent decision-making has been continuously improved, allowing these skill moves to truly integrate into the tactical system. This means that if you use the right skill moves at the right time, you’ll score more goals in the game.

So how do you use and maximize the effectiveness of skill moves? In this article, I will introduce you to the 5 best and most practical skill moves in FC 26.

McGeady Spin Cancel

First, let’s introduce McGeady Spin Cancel. It allows players to instantly change direction while controlling the ball, and it’s my favorite skill move in FC 26. To perform this move, you need a player with a five-star skill rating.

Execution

• PS Controller: Hold the right analog stick in the direction you are running, then immediately move it to either side of the player. Then simultaneously hold L2 + R2 to cancel the move, then release all buttons and use the left analog stick to exit in any direction.
• Xbox Controller: Hold the right analog stick in the direction you are running, then immediately move it to either side of the player. Then simultaneously hold LT + RT to cancel the move, then release all buttons and use the left analog stick to exit in any direction.

If performed correctly, your player will instantly cancel the turn, confusing the opposing player. The key to this move is timing. If you cancel McGeady Spin too late, the player may have already completed the turn; if you cancel too early, the player may not have even started rotating.

Therefore, I recommend turning backward immediately after performing McGeady Spin. This is not only faster but also makes it more unexpected for the opposing player.

Ball Roll Scoop

Ball Roll Scoop is a highly skilled five-star move that combines a fake shot and dribbling, allowing for quick changes of direction to evade defenders.

Execution

• PS Controller: Hold down the right analog stick, then immediately press the Square and X buttons, and push the left analog stick in the opposite direction to change direction.
• Xbox Controller: Hold down the right analog stick, then immediately press the A and X buttons, and push the left analog stick in the opposite direction to change direction.

This move must be executed quickly; the fake shot must be performed immediately while the ball is rolling, otherwise the move will fail. It’s a very technically demanding move. However, with practice, you can use it in many situations in FIFA 26.

For example, when a defender is rushing towards you, you can use Ball Roll Scoop to instantly change direction, leaving the defender unsure of your intended movement.

Step Over Ball

Step Over Ball is a very effective four-star skill move that can be used to quickly change direction. It’s very easy to perform, so you can use it frequently. It’s a very quick and explosive move, allowing you to easily cut into the penalty area and leave opponents behind.

Execution

• PS Controller: Hold L1 and rotate the right analog stick 45° in the current direction, then move the right analog stick in the direction you want to break through.
• Xbox Controller: Hold LB and rotate the right analog stick 45° in the current direction, then move the right analog stick in the direction you want to break through.

Advanced Roulette

Advanced Roulette is another four-star difficult move in FUT 26. This move is definitely one of the best skill moves in FC 26 for 1v1 situations.

Its core advantage is the ability to quickly change direction. Players can use this move while dribbling at high speed to quickly pull the ball in the opposite direction, thus evading defenders and creating attacking space, making scoring and earning FC 26 Coins much easier.

Execution

• PS Controller: Hold L1 and L2 buttons, and move the right analog stick 180 degrees from behind you to the front, finally stopping in the direction you want to move. 
• Xbox Controller: Hold down the RB and LT buttons, and move the right analog stick 180 degrees from behind you to the front, finally stopping in the direction you want to move.

For example, if you want to move to the left, you need to draw a semicircle starting from the right, then move upwards, and finally complete the movement forward.

Advanced Roulette has a wide range of uses, especially in the flank areas. When you are close to the sideline or the goal line, this move can help you cleverly bypass defenders and quickly cut from the outside into the penalty area. This creates extremely favorable attacking conditions for subsequent shots, crosses, or dribbling into the box.

Explosive Stepovers

Explosive Stepovers is a three-star skill move, and it’s simpler than the previous skill moves. Compared to standard Stepovers, it’s faster and has a more explosive animation, making it difficult for defenders to anticipate your next move.

This is a significant move if you just want to slightly change your direction of movement rather than completely turning to get past a defender.

Execution

• PS Controller: Hold down L1, and move the right analog stick forward and slightly to the left or right.
• Xbox Controller: Hold down LB, and move the right analog stick forward and slightly to the left or right.

This skill move is very suitable in tight spaces when facing close marking. Because of its simple movements and quick reaction time, it can effectively disrupt the defender’s rhythm and create gaps for the ball carrier to break through or create passing opportunities.

These are my top 5 recommended skill moves in EA Sports FC 26. These moves can significantly improve your ball control and efficiency in beating defenders, and also give you more flexible strategies. Although some moves are difficult, with diligent practice, you will surely have a unique and new experience in FC 26.

EA FC 26's Unbreakables event is ending soon, and based on past event calendars and current leaks, the highly anticipated Winter Wildcards event is returning. It will once again bring a strong festive atmosphere and some of the most exciting special cards of the year, so be sure to log in this Friday to see if there's anything new.

As an annual winter holiday event, Winter Wildcards has always been one of the most popular events in Ultimate Team mode, not only because of its festive atmosphere but also because of the new lineups and gameplay introduced each time. FC 26 is sure to continue this tradition, bringing players even more exciting content.

Currently leaked information reveals the highlights of this event and Team 1 player roster. Players can start planning how to manage their FC 26 coins, card packs, and SBC strategies in advance to prepare for the upcoming holiday event.

When Does Winter Wildcards Start?

According to reliable sources, FIFA 26 Winter Wildcards event will begin on December 19, 2025 (previously the 20th), which is expected to be around these days. The event will last for two weeks, ending on January 2, 2026.

The event's timing perfectly covers the Christmas and New Year holidays, and the official team is expected to ensure daily updates to continuously attract player participation, given that players will have plenty of time to play during the holidays.

The event is expected to succeed Unbreakables event and follow the existing Ultimate Team content calendar. Similar to previous events, the first team will be available through card packs in the first week, and the second team is expected to launch on December 26.

Event Overview

Winter Wildcards is a holiday event that encourages player creativity and player roster diversity. Unlike FIFA 26's TOTW events, which are based on real-world match information, Winter Wildcards focuses more on improving player attributes, special positions, and additional PlayStyles, rather than real-world performance.

As in previous years, the in-game tournament is a single-player tournament with a maximum of 30 attempts. However, other conditions must be met to obtain special and generous rewards.

The event requirements are straightforward: the tournament consists of four rounds, and players must use Ultimate Team to participate. In addition, their lineup must have at least one Winter Wildcards player, and players need to combine players based on their attributes to try to make the team work together at its best.

Players can expect the following from this event:

• Significantly improved attributes for all player positions;
• New PlayStyles and PlayStyles+ traits, generally tailored to the player's new position;
• Includes combinations of current players, Heroes, and Icons;
• Daily SBC and objective missions will be introduced, with completion rewarding valuable card packs or exclusive players.

Event Highlights

The most interesting aspect of this event is that, according to leaked information, some players will receive multiple cards for different positions. For example, PSG's Ousmane Dembele is expected to receive one winger card and one striker card, with the striker card focusing more on finishing ability than speed.

Real Madrid's Ousmane Dembele is also expected to receive cards for both right-back and midfield positions. This allows players to flexibly choose the appropriate position based on their team's needs before the event, greatly increasing the freshness of the game for players.

Another major highlight is the potential re-release of popular player cards from previous events. This means that if you missed out on a card before, you can seize this opportunity to acquire it. I believe Winter Wildcards will be one of the best times for players to start collecting card packs.

This strategy of bringing back player cards has been used in previous events, aiming to increase the value of card packs and give players the chance to obtain previously missed elite cards again.

Leaked Team 1 Roster

While we don't yet know the complete player roster for the event, a Team 1 roster has been leaked, which players can use as a reference.

Current players

• PSG: Ousmane Demebele-LW and ST
• Real Madrid: Federico Valverde-RB and CM
• Arsenal: Gabriel
• Liverpool: Alexis Mac Allister
• Bayern Munich: Jonathan Tah
• Barcelona: Claudia Pina-CAM and ST
• Lyon: Selma Bacha
• Washington Spirit: Trinity Rodman-RM and LM
• AC Milan: Rafael Leao
• Al-Nassr: Kingsley Coman
• Sassuolo: Armand Lauriente
• Marseille: Geronimo Rulli
• Villareal: Gerard Moreno
• Al-Khaleej: Josh King

Heroes

• Bundesliga: Jurgen Kohler
• Serie A: Ivan Cordoba-CB and RB
• Bundesliga: Claudio Pizzaro-New Hero
• Barclays WSL: Jill Scott-New Hero
• LaLiga: Ivan Zamorano-New Hero

Icons

• Zinedine Zidane
• Ronaldinho-LW and CAM
• Zlatan Ibrahimovic-ST and ST
• Julie Foudy-CM and CM
• Luis Figo

This lineup brings together top-tier attackers, versatile midfielders, and powerful defenders, making it one of the strongest team lineups in Winter Wildcards to date.

The above is the key information about the upcoming Winter Wildcards event. Whether you are a casual player or a highly skilled competitive player, EA FC 26 can meet your gaming needs. If this lineup includes the player card you want, get ready to acquire it as soon as possible!