Best Starter Player Cards In EA FC 26 Ultimate Team

EA FC 26's release date is September 26th, and with some time to go, leaks and speculation about the players are already surfacing.

Compared with FC 25, FC 26 has undergone numerous player changes. One notable change is the reduced importance of Playstyle++. In FC 25, Playstyle+ essentially determined a player's effectiveness, but in FC 26, it will return to player attributes. So how should you choose your starting player card? IGGM.com will explain.

FC 26 Player Mechanics Changes

Before discussing the best starter FC 26 player cards, let's take a look at the changes to player mechanics.

New Play Style Distribution Strategy

The developers seem to realize that the new Enforcer+ Playstyle is a bit overpowered, so they've limited the number of players who can have it. According to leaks so far, only six players have it initially to avoid disrupting game balance.

This may indicate a shift in focus from using pace to attack from the wing to more physical play and cooperation with the center forward.

Other new styles, such as Game Changer (which improves shooting) and Inventive (which improves passing), are derived from the old Trivela style. While the improvements aren't significant individually, they're quite powerful together.

Pace Stats

While many players' overall ratings have increased or remained the same, their pace has decreased. For example, Ceballos's OVR remains unchanged, but his speed has decreased by 5 points. Even for players who have received significant upgrades, the speed increase is far less than other attributes. For example, Yamal's overall rating increased by 8 points, but his speed only increased by 3.

This change will make high speed attributes extremely valuable in the early stages of the game, and players with high pace stats like Vinícius Júnior and Loïs Openda may be worth more FC 26 coins in the early stages.

Slow Down Power Curve

Based on leaked and released players, FC 26 is attempting to control stat inflation. While many players' OVRs have increased, the specific stat increases are very limited. There are even some cards with high OVRs and low stats, such as Musiala, who has an 88 OVR but several stats below 82. Here are his stats:

• PAC: 86
• SHO: 82
• PAS: 80
• DRI: 91
• DEF: 64
• PHY: 65

There are many cards like this with mismatched ratings and stats. If you only focus on OVR, you'll be wasting your FUT 26 coins. This is a good thing, though, as it makes game progression and player upgrades more meaningful and prevents the game from prematurely becoming overrun with 99 OVR players.

OP Beast

Despite the overall stat restraint, there are always a few players with unusually strong stats that don't match their OVRs. These are the players you should be targeting at the beginning of FC 26.

82 OVR Davinson Sanchez

• PAC: 82
• SHO: 58
• PAS: 63
• DRI: 73
• DEF: 82
• PHY: 88

Davinson Sánchez's OVR has increased by 2 points, and his stats have seen significant improvements, especially his shooting, which has gone from 47 to 58, a significant improvement.

83 OVR Hincapié

• PAC: 84
• SHO: 41
• PAS: 65
• DRI: 72
• DEF: 84
• PHY: 82

Hincapié has also received a significant improvement. This card has good speed and physics, potentially allowing him to become a capable left-back with sliding tackles.

84 OVR Pulisic

• PAC: 88
• SHO: 82
• PAS: 86
• DRI: 80
• DEF: 46
• PHY: 65

Although Pulisic's OVR is not high at 84 OVR, he possesses stats typically reserved for top-tier players. Musiala's OVR of 88 doesn't compare. This card is undoubtedly one of the most worthwhile investments in the early stages of FC 26. However, he will undoubtedly become increasingly sought after by other players, leading to increased demand. You can buy IGGM.com FC 26 coins to obtain this card early.

Low OVR Investment Cards

If you think cards rated above 80 OVR are too expensive, there are some excellent low-rated cards. While their stats aren't particularly impressive, they offer excellent player compatibility. With the right SBCs, these cards can become powerful.

Paul Pogba (79 OVR) is a lengthy player with the ability to start and accelerate on the field. He also possesses top-tier styles like Game Changer and Inventive. With the right evolutions, this card can become a core player.

Endrick (74 OVR) also has high potential, possessing Quick Step+ and Rapid. It's predicted that if a shooter with a maximum rating of 83 evolves early on, this card will be the best choice.

In addition to the players mentioned above, there are many other players worth keeping an eye on, such as Malcolm (midfielder), Roger Ibañez (center back), and Coman (winger) from Saudi League. These players have good stats and playstyles, and while their value may be lower due to their unpopularity in the league, you can leverage their nationality to your advantage.

How To Invest In Players?

Besides finding value-for-money players, investing in players with potential for appreciation is also important, as it can earn you some FUT 26 coins.

While player rating upgrades aren't solely based on individual performance, FC 26 seems to prioritize the overall success of their clubs. For example, many players from Champions League champions Paris Saint-Germain and La Liga champions Barcelona have received significant rating increases.

IGGM.com recommends that when selecting starting players, consider not only their overall rating but also their stats and playstyle as the primary criteria.