FC 26 Ultimate Screams Event Breakdown and Squad Building Guide
The spookiest season in EA FC 26 Ultimate Team is here — the Ultimate Screams event! Every year, the Halloween promo brings a wave of monstrous cards, tricky Squad Building Challenges (SBCs), and meta-shifting surprises. This time, the event focuses on balance and tactical creativity rather than over-the-top 99-rated monsters.
From Pogba's DUO SBC to MAX 87 Icon challenges and elite-level La Liga talent in Jordi Alba and Busquets, the Ultimate Screams event provides the perfect opportunity to upgrade your squad without breaking the bank. Let's break down every piece of this content, analyze each key player, and show how to build terrifyingly effective lineups for both Rivals and Champions.
1. Pogba DUO SBC — Two Paths, One Monster Midfielder
Few players in football capture the flair and physical dominance of Paul Pogba, and EA has leaned into that versatility with a unique DUO SBC. This challenge lets you choose between two Pogba cards, each built for a different playstyle.
Version 1: The Playmaker Pogba (86 CM)
Stats: 75 PAC / 89 DRI / 85 SHO / 88 PAS / 77 DEF / 85 PHY
Best Roles: CM or CAM
Key Traits: Outside Foot Shot, Flair, Long Passer
This Pogba is perfect for players who love ball control and creativity. His dribbling and passing ratings allow you to dominate midfield possession, threading through-balls and setting up attacks. Pair him with a CDM like Kante or Rodri, and you'll have the freedom to roam forward.
Recommended Chemistry Style:
Engine — boosts pace and agility to offset his turning speed.
Gameplay Tip: Use him as a left CM in a 4-1-2-1-2 (narrow) or 4-3-3 holding. He excels in transition play, dropping deep to collect the ball before launching diagonal switches or driven passes into the box.
Version 2: The Powerhouse Pogba (86 CM)
Stats: 83 PAC / 85 DRI / 88 SHO / 83 PAS / 79 DEF / 89 PHY
Best Roles: Box-to-Box or CDM
Key Traits: Power Header, Long Shot Taker, Leadership
If you prefer physicality and defensive cover, this Pogba is your guy. His improved pace and physical stats make him a nightmare to dispossess.
Recommended Chemistry Style:
Shadow — gives him elite defensive presence while keeping his strength high.
Gameplay Tip: In a 4-2-3-1 formation, use him as the right CDM alongside a more agile partner like Bruno Guimarães or Barella. His long-range shooting also makes him deadly just outside the box — don't be afraid to rip a power shot.
SBC Value & Verdict
Expect the SBC to cost roughly 200k–250k FC 26 coins, depending on market trends. That's excellent value for a midfielder who fits multiple systems and can link to French, Serie A, or Juventus setups.
Verdict: A must-complete SBC. Even if you're not using him now, he's a strong bench asset for future chemistry rotations.
2. MAX 87 Icon SBC — The Balanced Legends
The Ultimate Screams promo also brings back Icon SBCs, but this time under a unique rule: maximum rating of 87.
This prevents power creep while still giving players access to nostalgic stars like Fernando Torres and Gianfranco Zola — two legends who fit perfectly into early meta builds.
Fernando Torres (87 ST)
Stats: 89 PAC / 87 SHO / 75 PAS / 85 DRI / 45 DEF / 75 PHY
Workrates: High/Medium
Traits: Finesse Shot, Speed Dribbler
"El Niño" is tailor-made for counterattack football. With near-elite pace and a smooth shooting animation, Torres is still lethal even without 90+ ratings.
Best Chemistry Styles:
Hunter — turns him into a rapid finisher with 97 pace.
Finisher — adds physicality and tighter ball control for tight spaces.
Gameplay Tip: Use manual through balls with L1/LB runs. Torres thrives when isolated against slower defenders.
Verdict: An underrated goal machine. If you play direct or enjoy hybrid Spanish builds, complete him ASAP.
Gianfranco Zola (87 CAM)
Stats: 85 PAC / 85 SHO / 89 PAS / 89 DRI / 40 DEF / 69 PHY
Workrates: Medium/Medium
Traits: Flair, Technical Dribbler, Chip Shot
Zola is the creative maestro of this event. His agility, finesse, and vision make him perfect behind a striker. While he's not physically imposing, his movement compensates with exceptional fluidity in tight areas.
Best Chemistry Styles:
Maestro — enhances passing and shooting for versatile CAM play.
Hunter — adds pace if you want him to slip behind defenses.
Gameplay Tip: In a 4-2-3-1, use Zola as the central CAM. Let him handle final-third link-up play while pairing him with pacey wingers or overlapping fullbacks.
Verdict: Worth completing if you prioritize creativity. He's especially strong in possession-heavy tactics or for finesse shot enthusiasts.
3. Jordi Alba & Busquets SBCs — La Liga Chemistry Perfection
This week's SBCs also feature two Barcelona legends: Jordi Alba and Sergio Busquets, both with 88-rated Halloween cards. They're tailor-made for possession-based or Spanish hybrid squads, offering high chemistry synergy and unique ability stacks.
Jordi Alba (88 LB)
Stats: 92 PAC / 80 SHO / 88 PAS / 90 DRI / 78 DEF / 78 PHY
Traits: Rapid, Playmaker, Early Crosser
Alba's combination of pace and technique makes him a meta-tier left back, especially for players who push their fullbacks forward in attack.
Best Chemistry Style:
Anchor — strengthens physicality and defensive reliability.
Gameplay Tip: Use Alba for overlapping runs. His passing allows him to send pinpoint crosses to back-post strikers or cutbacks to the CAM. Defensively, he holds his line well when manually controlled, but rely on jockeying rather than brute tackling.
Verdict: Excellent SBC value. He's among the best attacking fullbacks early in the game cycle.
Sergio Busquets (88 CDM)
Stats: 83 PAC / 85 DRI / 88 PAS / 88 DEF / 85 PHY / 83 SHO
Traits: Leadership, Long Passer, Tactical Dribbler
EA has reimagined Busquets as a mobile playmaking CDM, fixing his traditional pace weakness. His balance between defensive reading and ball progression makes him perfect for controlling midfield tempo.
Best Chemistry Style:
Shadow — elevates his defensive stats for elite-tier interceptions.
Gameplay Tip: Pair Busquets with a dynamic box-to-box player. His defensive positioning means he'll hold midfield structure while others press forward. Use manual interceptions to dominate central lanes.
Verdict: A tactical controller. In meta terms, he's like a Spanish version of Declan Rice with superior passing.
4. "No 99 Stats" Rule — Why It Matters
Unlike past years, EA has confirmed that no Ultimate Scream player will have 99-rated stats. Instead, cards will feature targeted boosts to match gameplay roles — making the event more competitive and balanced.
Impact on Gameplay:
Reduces "broken" cards that ruin pacing.
Keeps meta variety alive longer.
Encourages tactical squad building rather than raw stat chasing.
For example:
Pogba's upgrades focus on strength and shooting instead of maxing everything.
Aubameyang's (88 ST) card excels in pace and finishing, but retains realistic ball control.
This approach rewards players who understand positioning, chemistry, and timing rather than pure stat abuse.
5. Aubameyang — The Spider Speedster
One of the standout Scream players teased is Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (88 ST), who appears in his signature "Spider" celebration card art.
Stats: 90 PAC / 86 SHO / 84 DRI / 74 PHY / 80 PAS
Playstyle: Counterattack striker with lightning acceleration.
Aubameyang's Scream card is tailor-made for through-ball football. His acceleration burst and finishing consistency make him a nightmare against high defensive lines.
Best Chemistry Style:
Finisher — balances dribbling and shooting.
Hunter — maximizes pace for long runs behind defenders.
Gameplay Tip: Use the Trigger Run (L1/LB) mechanic as often as possible. Aubameyang shines when you manually send him on diagonal runs behind fullbacks or center-backs. In transition-heavy matches, he can easily carry your offense.
6. Squad Building Tips for Ultimate Screams
Build Around Chemistry Links
French Links: Pogba connects with Mbappé, Varane, and Theo Hernández — easy chemistry core.
La Liga Core: Alba + Busquets combine seamlessly with Lewandowski, Pedri, and João Félix.
Icon Integration: Use Torres or Zola to bridge hybrid squads — they offer universal chemistry boosts.
Invest Smartly
SBC fodder spikes are coming — especially 84–86 rated players.
Complete the MAX 87 Icon early; it's cheaper before the hype.
Untradeable packs from objectives can offset the cost of Pogba's Duo SBC.
Playstyle Combinations
4-2-3-1 (Balanced Build): Pogba (Powerhouse) + Busquets holding; Zola CAM.
4-1-2-1-2 (Narrow): Pogba (Playmaker) at LCM; Alba overlapping for width.
4-3-3 (Attack): Torres or Aubameyang as striker, supported by hybrid wingers for chemistry.
Final Verdict
The Ultimate Screams event in FC 26 is shaping up to be one of the most balanced and fun Halloween promos in years. Instead of inflating stats to unrealistic levels, EA focuses on unique roles and synergy.
Pogba DUO SBC: Offers tactical freedom and creative builds.
MAX 87 Icons: Nostalgic, affordable, and useful for chemistry.
Alba & Busquets SBCs: Core stability for La Liga and hybrid teams.
No 99 Stats Rule: Keeps the game fair and competitive.
Whether you're a casual player looking to have fun or a FUT veteran optimizing meta builds, this event offers something for everyone. Assemble your squad, plan your SBC completions, and step into the pitch ready to scare your opponents with style, skill, and strategy.
MMOexp FC 26 Team