FC 26 Journey of Nations Europe Guide: Fastest Way to Unlock Müller and Maradona

Complete the FC 26 Journey of Nations Europe chapter efficiently by using optimized multi-national squads, combining multiple objectives in each match, and selecting the right game modes. Following this strategy significantly reduces the grind, helping you unlock Müller and ultimately Maradona in the shortest possible time.

Understand the Europe Objectives

The Europe chapter contains numerous nation-specific challenges, but you only need to complete the required objective groups efficiently rather than focusing on one nation at a time.

Many objectives overlap, allowing multiple completions in a single match. Instead of constantly rebuilding your squad, design teams that satisfy several requirements simultaneously. This approach can reduce the total completion time to roughly two hours instead of grinding every objective separately. If you plan to strengthen your lineup or quickly acquire the required nationality players, many players choose to buy FC 26 Coins to build their objective-focused squads more efficiently.

The biggest time-consuming objectives include:

· Scoring in 10 separate matches

· Through-ball assists across multiple games

· Lobbed through-ball assists

· Chip shot goals

· Winning several matches using specific formations and nationalities

Your goal is to combine as many of these as possible every match.

Team 1: Beginner Squad Battles Setup

Start in Beginner Squad Battles, where defending is easy and scoring multiple goals is effortless.

Build a squad featuring:

· 1 Switzerland player

· 1 Germany player

· 1 Bosnia player

· 1 Scotland player

· 1 Turkey player

· 1 Croatia player

· 1 Sweden player

· 1 Czech Republic player

· 3 Norway players

Keep:

· 1 Australian player on the bench

· 1 French player on the bench

This squad allows you to complete numerous one-match objectives, including:

· Three midfielder assists

· Three attacker assists

· Multiple striker goals

· Four goals in one match

· Cross assists

· Outside-the-box goals

· Czech finesse goal

· Norwegian scoring objectives

· Bosnia and Croatia appearance progress

Finish Difficult Skill Objectives Early

Several objectives are more difficult than simple scoring challenges.

Chip Shots

Chip shots can be inconsistent.

To improve success:

· Wait for the goalkeeper to rush forward.

· Perform a small ball roll.

· Execute the chip when the keeper commits.

· Make sure the ball actually travels over the goalkeeper.

These usually register more reliably than simple lifted finishes.

German Backheel Assist

Use:

· A first-time pass

· Hold the left trigger/LT

· Perform a backheel toward your teammate

Beginner Squad Battles gives plenty of space to attempt this repeatedly.

Goal From the Woodwork

Aim a finesse shot toward the inside of the post.

A rebound crossing the line still counts for the objective.

French Penalty

Bring your French player on as a substitute.

To force a penalty:

· Dribble directly at the goalkeeper.

· Use a ball roll.

· Allow the keeper to make contact.

Score the resulting penalty before full time.

Team 2: Live Events for Spain Objectives

After finishing the easy objectives, switch to Live Events.

Use:

· 6 Spain players

· 3 England players

· 2 France or Germany players

Most importantly:

Use the 4-2-3-1 Narrow formation.

The wide version does not count toward the formation objective.

Your priorities become:

· Six wins using six Spanish players

· England/Spain assists

· Outside-the-box finesse goals

· Four-goal victories

· Keeping clean sheets or conceding fewer than two goals

If you complete the French/German finesse objectives early, immediately replace those players with nations needed for later objectives.

Continuously Upgrade Your Squad

Instead of creating entirely new squads after every nation, replace completed players with nations still requiring progress.

A practical order is:

· Bosnia

· Croatia

· Portugal

· Turkey

· Netherlands

· Belgium

· Austria

Every completed objective frees another squad slot for future challenges.

This method constantly progresses multiple objective chains without wasting matches.

Portugal and Netherlands Objectives

After Spain is nearly complete, introduce:

· Four Portugal players

· One Turkey player

Focus on:

· Outside-the-box goals

· Defensive objectives

· Additional wins

Once Portugal finishes, replace them with four Netherlands players.

Now concentrate on:

· Lobbed through-ball assists

· Continued match victories

· Remaining clean-sheet objectives

Final Belgium and Austria Squad

The final squad should contain:

· 6 Belgium players

· 4 Netherlands players

· 1 Austria player

Play Beginner Squad Battles again to finish:

· Austrian through-ball assists

· Belgian victories

· Netherlands lobbed through-ball assists

· Low-driven assist objectives

Because the AI offers little resistance on Beginner, these repetitive objectives become much less frustrating.

General Tips for Faster Completion

Keep these principles in mind throughout the grind:

· Always combine multiple objectives into one squad.

· Use Beginner Squad Battles for technical challenges.

· Use Live Events for required online wins.

· Replace completed nationalities immediately.

· Prioritize chip shots, penalties, and backheel assists early.

· Confirm you're using 4-2-3-1 Narrow before beginning Spanish objectives.

· Keep track of appearance-based objectives so you don't remove players too soon.

Players looking to strengthen their squads while completing Journey of Nations often choose to invest in cheap FC 26 Coins, making it easier to acquire the required nationality cards and build each objective-focused lineup without relying entirely on the transfer market.

Final Thoughts

The Europe chapter may be the longest Journey of Nations segment in FC 26, but careful planning dramatically cuts the required time. By rotating only a few players between matches, using Beginner Squad Battles for technical challenges, and reserving Live Events for mandatory online objectives, you can complete nearly every requirement with minimal wasted games. Finish all Europe objectives, unlock Müller, and you'll earn the final reward—Maradona—to complete your Journey of Nations collection.