FC 26 STARTING GUIDE
Follow our guide to start FC 26 in the best way possible.
Starting Guide
For seasoned FC Ultimate Team players, the excitement of a fresh start never fades. It’s a chance to reset, compete on equal ground, and apply the lessons learned from past seasons. Every decision counts—strategic planning from the beginning helps you climb higher, faster, and more sustainably. If you’re eager to get ahead or avoid repeating early missteps, read on.
For newcomers, this guide offers a solid introduction to what lies ahead. Whether your strengths lie in trading or gameplay, club management is vital. Building a stable foundation is key to long-term success. Timing is everything, especially at the start of FIFA 26 Ultimate Team, one of the most decisive phases of the game.
Here’s our checklist of the essential steps to kick off your FIFA 26 Ultimate Team journey, your ideal starting point:
- Prepare Yourself;
- Start as soon as possible;
- Customize Your Club;
- Sell all your cards;
- Collect even more coins;
- Start Trading;
- Form your Team;
- Play.
Prepare Yourself
Before diving into the season, preparation is key. Planning ahead is essential. Just as no one wins a chess match without understanding the rules, success in FC 26 Ultimate Team depends on knowing how the game works. You don’t need to master every detail, but having a solid grasp significantly improves your chances.
If you’re new to the mode, exploring the basics on our website can be extremely helpful. If you’re returning from FC 25 or earlier editions, your focus should be on identifying what’s new and what has changed.
During the planning stage, define your expectations. Think about the kind of club you want to build. Will you run multiple squads? Do you want to chase the biggest stars or experiment with hidden gems? Will you go after regular items or focus on special IF cards? Outline your goals, whether it’s reaching the top divisions or playing casually. Consider whether you’ll build around bronze, silver, or gold players, how much time you’ll dedicate, and your approach to buying packs.
The more of these questions you can answer now, the better prepared you’ll be. Taking the time to plan early puts you on the right track for better results.
Start as Soon as Possible
In FC 26 Ultimate Team, the early bird catches the worm. Starting as early as possible is key, as the transfer market gradually stabilizes over time. Taking swift action allows you to spot valuable opportunities and stay ahead of market trends.
Getting ahead early doesn’t just boost your coin balance—it also gives you a competitive edge. Building a stronger team from the outset helps you win more matches and, in turn, earn even more coins.
Here’s how you can kickstart your journey effectively:
- Play the Beta
Get a feel for the game by taking part in the FC 26 Beta. While your progress won’t carry over, the experience and familiarity are valuable. - Web and Companion Apps
Use the web and companion apps to complete early SBCs and earn coins before the game fully launches. - EA Play
Subscribe to EA Play for early access and a head start that can help you win crucial early matches. - Special Edition
Opt for the Ultimate Edition to receive bonus items like loan players and 4,600 FC Points during early access. - Buying FC Points
If you’re willing to invest, purchasing FC Points early on can provide a quick influx of coins when they’re most impactful. - Game Release
Be active at launch, when many players list valuable items at low prices, creating perfect buying opportunities.
Customize Your Club
There are a few steps before you start playing that allow you to customize your team a bit more:
- To choose the nationality of the best player from your starter pack;
- To choose a player on loan;
- To choose the main and the alternative kits;
- To choose the badge of your club.
Sell All Your Cards
Card availability may be limited early on, but it’s vital to sell whatever tradeable cards you receive to start building up your coin balance.
Once you’ve opened all your starter packs, that’s when your Ultimate Team journey truly begins. You’ve been given just enough to set up your club, and it’s crucial to manage your resources wisely. We recommend holding off on playing your first matches until you’ve completed all the initial checklist tasks.
Your top priority should be to make your club financially sustainable and coins are essential to that. The first major step is turning all your assets into coins. Every coin counts, laying the groundwork for long-term success.
While there are different strategies, our advice is to sell all tradeable items and only keep the untradeables for completing the first SBCs. That said, don’t rush to sell your cards at the lowest prices—take a moment to assess their value. Some may be worth more than expected.
This approach also gives you the flexibility to build your team from scratch. Rather than being limited by a few players from your starter packs, you’ll have the freedom to assemble a squad that fits your playstyle and goals, entirely funded by the coins you’ve earned.
Collect even more Coins
Selling items at the beginning provides a solid start, but more coins mean faster progress. Explore every opportunity:
- Seasons
Utilize free rewards like Objectives for quick coin gains. - Evolutions
Develop existing players instead of immediately buying new ones. - SBCs
Complete early challenges, especially advanced ones, for profits. - Trade Coins
Consider exchanging FC 25 or other platform coins for FC 26 coins, despite potential disadvantages, to bolster your initial investment.
Start Trading
Now that you’ve accumulated some coins, it’s time to grow your wealth. Start with low-risk investments, but always keep a reserve as backup. Don’t stress about slow beginnings—the season is long. Early sales might be difficult, but as your coin total increases, reinvest most of your profits while keeping some aside for future opportunities. Continuous trading is essential throughout the year.
Market dynamics at the start of the game are especially important. Initially, the market is slow due to limited cash flow and experienced players holding back until they receive FC Points or play more matches. If you’re lucky enough to pack a top-tier player, consider holding onto them. They could increase significantly in value.
Player prices are typically low in the first days, then rise rapidly before gradually dropping over time. Take advantage of the early lack of coins by entering the market early. It can secure your long-term success.
For your first investments, target items priced between 150 and 300 coins that offer at least a 50% profit margin. Consumables are a smart choice thanks to unlimited storage capacity. Always ensure you have liquid coins or assets to stay flexible and avoid setbacks.
Buy low, sell high: this is the foundation of building wealth. Monitor the market closely. Once your profit from staff and consumables exceeds 50k coins, you can confidently move on to trading players and completing the rest of your checklist.
Build Your Team
Now that your setup is sorted, it’s time to assemble your dream team. In Ultimate Team, it’s not just about gathering top players; it’s about creating a cohesive unit with good chemistry. Look for players of the same nationality or league to enhance chemistry.
Consider more than just chemistry when selecting players; focus on their attributes and how they align with your playstyle. A high-rated team is useless if the players don’t complement your tactics.
To build a strong team quickly, invest wisely. Start by filling squad spots with mid-tier players who can serve as substitutes or reserves. Gradually add first-team players as your budget allows, analyzing market trends for strategic purchases. Utilize ‘Concept Squads’ to plan your team and prioritize purchases accordingly.
Play
If you have followed our advice, your club is well-equipped for success. Practice before facing tough opponents. Start with Squad Battles on low difficulty, using your starter players. This saves coins and helps you get accustomed to gameplay.
Use loan players in early online matches to boost team quality. Activate the Trainer feature for in-game guidance, and turn it off once you’re comfortable. Prioritize online matches for higher coin rewards.
Consider entering Draft for a fixed fee without needing consumables or a squad. Champions and Rivals offer better rewards for decent players. Don’t obsess over a perfect record at first; focus on gameplay rather than stats.
Never quit matches, as this negatively impacts your coin rewards. Maintain your club’s progress by playing consistently.
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