The FC 26 beta went live early, and players were quick to jump in before it got pulled. More codes are going out, and access returns later today. The Ultimate Team deep dive showed several changes, including a new play menu with a “For You” tab that highlights match types based on what’s played most. The menu system has been cleaned up, aiming to fix the slow, clunky interface from FC 25.
Gauntlet mode also stood out. It’s a short format where three to five games use entirely different squads. Each team used gets locked after the match. The mode rewards players who keep strong EVO and SBC cards. It’s not a replacement for Champs or Rivals, but it’s a smart way to add more variety and use more of the club.
Tournaments now match players at the same stage—round of 16 vs round of 16, quarterfinals vs quarterfinals, and so on. Combined with Gauntlet, it’s a real shift away from the same weekly grind and gives more ways to stay active in Ultimate Team without just chasing Rivals points.
EA FC 25: SBCs, EVOs, and Footies Team 5 Leaks
With Footies in its final stretch, EA FC 25 still has content worth tracking. The Creative Finisher EVO dropped yesterday, bringing Technical and Tiki Taka playstyle pluses. While not game-breaking, it helps attackers with good base stats.
The big SBC drop was Javi. For under 500,000 coins, this five-star, five-star midfielder brings 99 passing and 99 dribbling with nearly every passing trait except Whipped Pass. He’s missing Intercept, Anticipate, and Quick Step, but still a strong option to replace cards like De Bruyne.
The Footies-only player pick SBC returned with Team 4 added. It’s still one of five and has the same 88 and 89 squad requirements. Many are holding out for Team 5, which could feature some of the best cards yet—possibly even the first 99-rated SBC of the cycle.
Leaks have already started. Gareth Bale is expected to headline Team 5 as a 99-rated Footies Icon. While he likely won’t be an SBC, this signals a big final drop. Players like Ribéry and Wayne Rooney recently hit 98 overall with stats that easily justify a 99, adding pressure for EA to deliver something grind-worthy.
What’s EA Waiting For? 99-Rated FC 25 SBC or EVO Still Missing
With just days left in Futties, there’s still no grindable 99-rated SBC or EVO. Last year’s first 99 SBC, Mia Hamm, dropped on August 10. That makes this Friday a real possibility. A top-tier 99 card would likely feature five playstyle pluses and require 30 to 40 squads, depending on the player.
Wayne Rooney and Ribéry show EA is close. Rooney has 99 shooting, 98 pace, 97 physical, and 96 dribbling. Even Cristiano Ronaldo’s 99 is already in packs, but not available through grinding. A big-name Icon or fan favorite with stacked stats would give players one final goal before FC 26 fully takes over.
Rivals Update, Cosmetic Upgrades, and Match Quits in FC 26
Rivals is getting a major overhaul. Bounties will reward specific actions, like scoring the first goal or keeping a clean sheet. These tasks offer bonus Rivals points, changing how players approach each match. Duels go one step further—both players get the same bounty challenge, raising the stakes.
EA is also bringing back quit wins. Whether it’s a dashboard quit or someone pulling the plug, matches ending 0–0 under qualifying conditions will now count as wins.
Repeatable EVOs and goalkeeper evolutions are on the way too. A cosmetic badge will now appear on evolved cards, and players like Bradley Barcola will keep their gold look even after being upgraded. Cosmetic stacking allows animations, rarities, and effects to stay layered on a single card without overwriting each other unless identical.
