EA Sports has deployed a new Squad Building Challenge in FC 26 that offers players a chance to earn 93+ rated cards from multiple special card pools. The SBC rewards a Player Pick option allowing users to select from Festival of Football, Phenoms, Star Performers, and Headliners cards.
The challenge is structured as 1 of 4, meaning players complete four separate builds to earn the full reward. This format encourages multiple submissions and engagement with the transfer market as squads hunt for specific players to complete each segment.
The 93+ rating floor ensures competitive meta players enter collections without requiring additional upgrades. Festival of Football cards represent live event-based special releases, while Phenoms target young prospects with growth potential. Star Performers cards highlight recent form standouts, and Headliners capture players in strong sequences.
This type of SBC reflects EA's ongoing strategy to distribute premium content through player-driven squad building rather than pure pack luck. The Player Pick element adds choice, reducing pure RNG frustration while maintaining engagement mechanics that keep players grinding for squad slots and chemistry links.
FC 26's SBC ecosystem remains central to endgame progression. High-rated card rewards justify the investment required to complete four full squads, particularly for players targeting meta defenders and strikers. Market prices for qualifying players typically spike during these challenges as demand floods supply.
The timing and reward tier suggest this sits in the mid-tier challenge category. Players completing harder, longer chains typically net higher-rated pulls or multiple selections. The 1 of 4 structure means this isn't an instant completion for casual squads but remains accessible to players with moderate club depth and liquid coins.