FC 26: The CB Duo That's Locked Until TOTS
With another Future Stars Academy Evolution (FS EVO) dropping this Friday in FC 26, a terrifying truth is becoming clear: your center-back pairing might already be solved until TOTS.
Enter the duo that's breaking squad builders, terrorizing Weekend League attackers, and redefining what "meta CBs" look like this year:
El Chadaille Bitshiabu
Armel Bella-Kotchap Quarshie
Two 6'6" defensive monsters, stacked with Anticipate+ and Jockey+, elite physicals, and near-perfect playstyle synergy. Thanks to staggered FS Academy EVOs, you can now build both cards simultaneously, ending up with CBs that rival- and in some cases outperform- early TOTS defenders.
This article breaks down why this duo works, how to build them, and how to play with them to dominate FC26's defensive meta.
The Meta Context: Why Center-Backs Matter More Than Ever in FC26
FC26 has quietly become one of the most CB-dependent games in recent years. Several gameplay trends make elite defenders mandatory:
AI pressing is stronger, but punishes poor positioning
Attacking playstyles are faster and more vertical
Manual defending is rewarded, but only if your CBs can recover
Crossing and aerial play are back in a big way
In this environment, small, agile CBs get exposed. What you want are defenders who can:
Cover space
Win physical duels
Auto-defend intelligently
Still feel smooth when manually jockeying
Bitshiabu and Quarshie check every single box.
Bitshiabu - The French Defensive Juggernaut
Let's start with the headline name.
Final EVO Profile (Projected)
Height: 6'6"
Key Stats (post-EVO):
Pace: ~92
Defense: ~91
Physical: ~92
Why Bitshiabu Is Special
Bitshiabu's body type is what immediately stands out. At 6'6", he has:
Massive interception reach
Long stride recovery speed
Elite shoulder-to-shoulder dominance
But what truly elevates him is Anticipate+.
Anticipate+ Explained
Anticipate+ is arguably the best defensive playstyle in FC26:
Cleaner auto-tackles
Fewer rebound bounces
Better positioning in passing lanes
On Bitshiabu, it turns him into a vacuum cleaner. Step too close, and the ball is gone.
Jockey+ Makes Him Feel Smaller Than He Is
Tall CBs often feel clunky. Bitshiabu doesn't.
With Jockey+, he:
Shifts laterally faster
Holds defensive shape more reliably
Excels in 1v1 situations against agile attackers
This combination is rare-and devastating.
Quarshie - The Bundesliga Wall You Didn't Know You Needed
If Bitshiabu is the destroyer, Quarshie is the enforcer.
Final EVO Profile (Projected)
Height: 6'6"
Key Stats (post-EVO):
Pace: 93
Defense: 90
Physical: 90
What Makes Quarshie Elite
Quarshie's stat spread is absurd for a Future Stars Academy card:
Faster than most elite CBs
Strong enough to bully meta strikers
Tall enough to dominate aerial duels
Add in Anticipate+ and Jockey+, and you've got a CB who feels shockingly complete.
Bruiser & Aerial Focus
Quarshie shines in:
Back-post defense
Corner clearances
Physical duels inside the box
When attackers try to force contact, he wins. When they try to go around him, his pace shuts it down.
The Power of the Duo: Why They're Better Together
Individually, both cards are elite. Together, they're oppressive.
Perfect Role Distribution
Bitshiabu: Aggressive step-up CB
Quarshie: Covering, recovery-focused CB
This balance allows you to:
Press higher without fear
Defend cutbacks more aggressively
Hold a higher defensive line
Shared Strengths That Break the Meta
6'6" height on both sides
Anticipate+ on both CBs
Jockey+ for manual defending
High pace for recovery runs
Against through balls, crosses, and skill spam, this pairing feels unfair.
How the FS Academy EVO Timing Makes This Even Better
The real win here isn't just the cards-it's the timing.
With another FS Academy EVO dropping Friday, you can:
Progress Bitshiabu in one EVO path
Progress Quarshie in another
Avoid overlapping requirements
Finish both within the same cycle
This is huge for players who:
Don't want to lock coins into SBC CBs
Prefer long-term EVO investments
Want defenders that scale into TOTS
By the time TOTS arrives, these two will still be starting.
Best Formations for This CB Duo
4-4-2 / 4-2-3-1
Classic setups where:
CBs defend wide spaces
Fullbacks push forward
Bitshiabu and Quarshie thrive here due to recovery pace.
3-5-2 / 5-3-2
This is where they become disgusting.
Three CB systems amplify height and Anticipate+
Crossing teams get completely shut down
Manual pressing becomes safer
If you enjoy aggressive defending, this is the dream.
Defensive Instructions & Tips
To get the most out of this pairing:
Custom Tactics
Defensive Line: 60-70
Width: Slightly narrow
Pressing: Balanced or Press After Possession Loss
In-Game Tips
Manually control one CB and let the other AI-defend
Use Jockey+ instead of sprinting in 1v1s
Trust Anticipate+-don't spam tackles
These cards reward patience more than panic.
Comparison to Meta and Promo CBs
Here's the uncomfortable truth for SBC addicts:
These EVO CBs rival early TOTS defenders
They outperform many 300k-600k coin promo CBs
They scale better than most gold meta cards
Unless you're packing endgame icons or TOTS VVD-tier cards, there's no urgent upgrade path from this duo.
Who Should Build This Duo
This pairing is perfect for:
Weekend League regulars
Players saving FC 26 coins for attackers
EVO-focused grinders
Defenders who like manual control
If defense wins you games-and in FC26, it does-this is a no-brainer.
Final Verdict: CBs Locked Until TOTS
Bitshiabu and Quarshie aren't just "good EVO cards."
They're meta-defining center-backs built at the perfect time.
6'6" height
Anticipate+ and Jockey+
Elite pace, defense, and physicals
Future-proof until TOTS
With another FS Academy EVO dropping Friday, FC26 is basically handing you an endgame defensive core-if you're smart enough to take it.
Build them. Pair them. Forget about CB upgrades for months.
Your defense is officially locked.
MMOexp FC 26 Team