Summary: The EA FC 26 Pre-Season event is officially entering its critical third week, and the stakes have never been higher for Ultimate Team players. As the community prepares for the global launch of EA FC 27 on September 25, 2026, EA Sports has rolled out the Nicolás Otamendi Pre-Season Objective Group.
This is not just another endgame card grind. Completing this specific set is the single best way to secure free starter packs, player picks, and massive coin boosts that will automatically carry over to your brand-new EA FC 27 club.
In this comprehensive guide, we break down the full rewards structure, dissect Otamendi's in-game stats, outline the exact gameplay requirements, and share the ultimate squad-building shortcut to complete the entire grind in under 60 minutes.
The Pre-Season Reward System Explained: Why This Matters
EA Sports uses the Pre-Season event as a bridge between game cycles. By completing specific milestones in EA FC 26, you stockpile premium packs to give you a massive competitive advantage during the first week of EA FC 27.
The cornerstone of this event is the Pre-Season Completionist Group milestone, which tracks your progress across four distinct weeks:
Week 1: Callum Wilson - Expired
Week 2: Catarina Macário - Expiring Soon
Week 3: Nicolás Otamendi - Live Now
Week 4: Leandro Trossard - Dropping Soon
The Rewards Blueprint
Missing a week means losing out on the ultimate grand prize.
For Week 3: Otamendi Solo, players receive the 98-Rated Pre-Season Otamendi in EA FC 26, alongside an 81+ x3 Rare Players Pack and 10,000 Coins as the associated EA FC 27 carryover rewards.
Completing the Full Completionist 4/4 milestone rewards players with 1x Ultra Rare Mega Pack, plus a Tradeable 83+ Player Pick (1 of 3) and 20,000 Coins for EA FC 27.
Important Deadline: To ensure your items carry over successfully, all objectives must be finished before the season ends. Your free FC 27 items will be delivered directly to your shared EA Account by October 9, 2026.
Review: Is 98-Rated Pre-Season Otamendi Good?
Before looking at the requirements, let's look at the card itself. For those still actively competing in EA FC 26 Champions or Division Rivals, this 98-rated Nicolás Otamendi is an absolute monster at center-back.
Pace (96): He easily tracks down elite endgame strikers like FUTTIES Mbappé or Haaland.
Defending (99): Flawless interception, defensive awareness, and stand tackle attributes.
Physicality (98): Boasts 99 aggression and 99 strength, making him impossible to push off the ball.
PlayStyles+: Features Anticipate+ (crucial for clean tackles) and Bruiser+ (for dominant physical challenges).
Even if he does not fit your main squad, his 98 rating serves as perfect high-tier SBC fodder to craft the final 99-rated "God Squads" in the FC 26 Rewind Promo.
Otamendi Objective Requirements & Pro-Gameplay Tips
To unlock Otamendi, head over to the Objectives > Live menu in Ultimate Team. You need to complete four distinct gameplay challenges. These can be finished in Squad Battles (minimum Semi-Pro difficulty), Rivals, or Champions.
1. Argentine Precision
The Text: Assist 5 goals using players from Argentina.
Pro-Tip: You do not need to score with an Argentine player, just get the final pass. Use high-passing meta items like Lionel Messi, Alexis Mac Allister, or Lautoro Martínez in your attacking roles.
2. Defensive Wall
The Text: Concede no more than 1 goal per match in 3 separate wins.
Pro-Tip: If playing in Squad Battles, score 2 early goals and then simply retain possession in your own half. Play low-risk passes between your midfielders to run down the clock.
3. Clear the Lines
The Text: Score 4 goals using Defenders.
Pro-Tip: Do not rely on corner kicks or headers. Instead, utilize Custom Tactics. Set up an alternate 4-4-2 game plan where you swap a high-shooting fullback (like a 97+ Theo Hernández or Frimpong) directly into the Striker position. Switch to this tactic as soon as the match kicks off.
4. Winning Formula
The Text: Win 6 matches while having at least 3 Liga Portugal players in your starting 11.
Pro-Tip: These players only need to start the game. You do not need to keep them on the pitch. Raid your club for high-rated Liga Portugal special items, or buy cheap gold cards from the Transfer Market.
If you need additional FC 26 Coins to quickly fill squad gaps or pick up the required Liga Portugal players from the Transfer Market, you can use them to streamline the setup rather than spending unnecessary time rebuilding your club.
The Ultimate 60-Minute Speedrun Strategy
The smartest way to complete this objective group is by stacking all four requirements into a single squad and grinding it out against the AI in Squad Battles. This eliminates the sweating and toxicity of online modes.
Step 1: Build the Perfect Hybrid Squad
Create a custom lineup that looks exactly like this to trigger every objective simultaneously:
Goalkeeper & Defense: Standard main team, but ensure your Left Back or Right Back has great shooting stats (for the Defender goals).
The Liga Portugal Trio: Place three Liga Portugal players anywhere in your starting 11, such as Liga Portugal midfielders or center-backs.
The Argentine Link: Place an Argentine player at Center Attacking Mid (CAM) or Striker (ST).
Step 2: The In-Game Execution Plan
Launch a Squad Battles match on Semi-Pro difficulty against a low-rated, low-chemistry bronze squad.
In the 1st minute, pause the game. Use your D-pad to switch to your attacking custom tactic, moving your high-shooting Defender into the Striker spot.
If your Liga Portugal players are low-rated golds, sub them out immediately for your elite bench players.
Pass the ball to your Argentine attacker, execute a through-ball to your defender-turned-striker, and score.
Repeat this process until you have assisted 5 goals with an Argentine and scored 4 goals with a Defender.
Play safely to ensure you concede 1 goal or fewer, and secure the victory.
Repeat this setup for 6 matches. By the end of your 6th win, all four individual objectives will unlock at the exact same time, handing you the 98 Otamendi and locking in your premium FC 27 carryover pack bundle.
If you want to strengthen your squad and quickly prepare for the final Pre-Season grind, you can buy EA FC 26 Coins and use them to build the required lineup or pick up suitable Transfer Market options.
