FC 26: Top 5 Players in Every Position for Your Starter Team
Building your starter squad in EA FC 26 is always a mix of excitement and strategy. Everyone wants to dominate right out of the gate, but coins are limited, chemistry matters, and prices fluctuate wildly in the first few weeks. The key is finding those hidden gems-cards that combine affordability with meta-defining playstyles.
In this guide, we'll go position by position-keepers, defenders, midfielders, wingers, and strikers-and highlight the top five budget and premium picks for your FC 26 starter team. Whether you're grinding Division Rivals or prepping for FUT Champs, these are the players who will give you the best bang for your buck.
Goalkeepers: Safe Hands to Start Strong
At the beginning of the cycle, goalkeeper stats can feel hit or miss. What really matters are height, playstyles, and chemistry links. Here are five options to anchor your defense:
1.Lucas Chevrier (PSG)-Only 83-rated but with Footwork and 1v1 Close Down playstyles. His Ligue 1 chemistry and height make him a cheap but elite option.
2.Marco Keshi (Serie A)-Boasts Goalkeeper Plus+ and 1v1 Close Down. Rarely do starter keepers get Plus+ roles, making him a gem for the price.
3.David (Serie A)-6'4, with Footwork and Long Throw, plus a unique body type that helps animations. A sneaky powerhouse.
4.Unai Simón (La Liga)-Reliable Spanish links, Pinged Passes for counterattacks, and tall enough at 6'3. Affordable and effective.
5.Marc-André ter Stegen (Barcelona)-Still 86-rated but no Plus+ styles, which means his price should be surprisingly low compared to other premium keepers.
Verdict: For chemistry and value, Chevrier and Keshi will likely dominate early starter squads.
Right-Backs: Overlaps, Speed, and Defense
Right-backs in FC 26 need more than pace. They must track back, link play, and sometimes even provide goals. These are the top five options:
1.Thierry Correia (Serie A)-Budget beast with Anticipate, Rapid, Quick Step, and Bruiser. Perfect for Evolutions.
2.Alexander Bah (Liga Portugal)-Year after year, one of the best starter RBs. Seven base playstyles including Whipped Pass and Bruiser.
3.Ole (Premier League)-Balanced across the board, with Quick Step and the rare Rory Delap Trait for long throws. Might be slightly inflated due to EPL tax.
4.João Cancelo (Saudi League)-Four-star, four-star, tons of versatility, and technically gifted. Great for attacking play.
5.Marcos Denter (Centurions nostalgia pick)-With Inverted Wing-Back Plus+, he brings both flair and meta utility.
Verdict: Bah is the safe budget pick, while Cancelo will be the flashy early meta option.
Left-Backs: Balance and Bombing Runs
Left-backs are often either defensive walls or pace merchants. In FC 26, a few names stand out:
1.David Raum (Bundesliga)-Key for chemistry in Germany, ticks all the boxes, though may be slightly overpriced early.
2.Sakina Karchaoui (D1 Arkema, France)-Lengthy at 5'8 despite her size, offering unique pace + balance combos.
3.Nuno Tavares (Serie A)-Strong with Quick Step, Rapid, and Anticipate. Six-foot tall and a reliable defender.
4.Joško Gvardiol (Man City)-Can flex between LB and CB, with Block, Pinged Pass, and Jockey. Lacks top pace but makes up for it in strength.
5.Antonee Robinson (Premier League)-Premier League speedster with Relentless, Rapid, and Whipped Pass. Could sneak under 10k early.
Verdict: Robinson looks like the meta EPL starter, while Tavares is the Serie A value option.
Center-Backs: Bricks at the Back
No starter team survives without reliable CBs. The following defenders provide power, lengthiness, and chemistry links:
1.David Hancko (La Liga)-Solid links at Atlético Madrid, strong playstyles, and versatility across the backline.
2.Emre Can (Bundesliga)-Bruiser Plus, great value despite Dortmund hype. Affordable and versatile.
3.Ronald Araújo (Barcelona)-Defensive machine with Anticipate, Block, and Jockey. Always reliable.
4.Murillo (La Liga)-Left-footed with Bruiser and Long Ball, perfect partner for Araújo.
5.Evan Ndicka (Serie A)-Tall, lengthy, and pacy. Passing is weak, but his defensive presence more than compensates.
Verdict: The Araújo-Murillo partnership might be one of the best starter combos this year.
Defensive Midfielders: Breaking Up Play
Your CDM sets the tone, recycling possession and stopping counters. In FC 26, a mix of brute strength and technical CDMs shines:
1.Anton Stack (Leeds)-6'4 powerhouse with Intercept, Slide Tackle, and Bruiser. Pure enforcer.
2.Mario Lemina (Super Lig)-Balanced, with Inventive, Intercept, and Relentless. Great chemistry in a strong budget league.
3.Mattéo Guendouzi (Serie A)-A true box-to-box CDM with Deep-Lying Playmaker Plus, fantastic versatility.
4.Denis Zakaria (Ligue 1)-Tall, physical, and blessed with Anticipate + Intercept. Ideal defensive anchor.
5.Felix Nmecha (Bundesliga)-6'4, cheap, and with Block and Bruiser. Almost always in starter squads.
Verdict: Zakaria is the best defensive option, while Guendouzi offers the most balance.
Central Midfielders: Engines in the Middle
For pure CMs, versatility is key. You need players who can defend, carry the ball, and contribute in attack:
1.Manu Koné (Serie A)-Technical, relentless, and perfect for Evolutions.
2.Conor Gallagher (La Liga)-All-rounder with high work rates and passing playstyles. Great for English hybrids.
3.Ruben Loftus-Cheek (Serie A)-6'3 with Press Proven and Enforcer. Could explode if Evo-friendly.
4.Giuliano & Greggi (Roma Women)-Tiny but rapid midfielders who link brilliantly. Hyperlink duo that's cheap and deadly.
5.Matteo Pessina (Serie A)-Box-to-box balance, underrated for linking Italian squads.
Verdict: The Roma duo could be one of the sneakiest budget links in the entire game.
Attacking Midfielders (CAMs): The Creative Spark
For Cams, you want technical flair, vision, and shooting playstyles:
1.Geraldine Rutella-Blistering speed, strong shooting, with Quick Step and Whipped Pass.
2.Pedro Gonçalves (Liga Portugal)-Mini-Bruno vibes with finesse and technical playstyles.
3.Sanche (La Liga)-Strong defensive CAM with shadow striker potential.
4.Karim Benzema (La Liga)-Even with lower rating, still silky with Finesse, Game Changer, and Relentless.
5.Christian Pulisic (Serie A)-Four-star, five-star, pacey box-crashing CAM. Affordable after initial hype dies.
Verdict: Pedro Gonçalves looks like the standout budget CAM, while Pulisic is the perfect Premier League/Serie A hybrid option.
Wingers: Stretching the Play
Right and left wingers often define your early success thanks to pace and dribbling:
Right Wing
1.Noni Madueke (Chelsea)-Explosive dribbler with Quick Step and Technical.
2.Naoyama (NWSL)-Versatile and quick, with Trickster and Quick Step.
3.Anthony Elanga (La Liga)-Five-star weak foot, Rapid, and Quick Step.
4.Iñaki Williams (La Liga)-Tall, lengthy, and blistering pace.
5.Alba Redondo (Liga F)-Striker/winger hybrid with Finesse Shot and Quick Step.
Left Wing
1.Caitlin Foord (Arsenal Women)-Cheap, reliable, with solid finesse shooting.
2.Leandro Trossard (Arsenal)-Four-star, five-star, consistent dribbling.
3.Karim Adeyemi (Bundesliga)-Pure speed, always dangerous early.
4.Tabitha Chawinga (D1 Arkema)-Lengthy with 94 pace. A hidden gem.
5.Heung-Min Son (NWSL/LAFC)-Four-star, five-star, meta-defining finesse playstyle.
Verdict: Iñaki Williams and Son are guaranteed early-game nightmares.
Strikers: Goals Win Games
Finally, the players who make or break your squad-the ones who score. Early-game strikers often dictate the market, but here are five who balance cost and performance:
1.Tisca (Super Lig)-Budget-friendly with Game Changer Plus, strong chemistry links.
2.Victor Boniface (Bundesliga)-Lengthy, strong, with Bruiser and Power Shot.
3.Cristiano Giuntoli (Serie A)-Affordable, tall striker option with balanced stats.
4.Sam Kerr (WSL)-Affordable compared to her rating, with elite finishing playstyles.
5.Heung-Min Son (flex option)-Can also play striker, offering finesse and precision.
Verdict: Tisca will be a starter budget hero, while Son will dominate the premium bracket.
Final Thoughts
Starter squads in EA FC 26 are always about value for FC 26 coins, strong chemistry links, and meta playstyles. From Chevrier in goal to Tisca and Son up front, this list covers the budget beasts and premium meta picks you'll want to keep an eye on.
Remember, the market will move quickly-some players may spike in price early before settling. If you're smart with Evolutions, chemistry links, and playstyle synergies, you'll have a team capable of competing in Rivals and Champs within days of release.
MMOexp FC 26 Team