FC 26 Player Ratings – Full Guide

Summary

The article explores EA FC 26 player ratings, highlighting the top 10 stars, major upgrades and drops, and the new PlayStyle Plus abilities that shape gameplay. It provides position-by-position elite rankings, explains how ratings affect Ultimate Team card values, and discusses how secure account trading helps players build competitive squads faster.

  • Updated 26 Sep 2025
  • ~5 min

EA FC 26 brings fresh player ratings that reflect real-world performance and potential. Every year, the release of EA FC 26 player ratings sparks debate across the football gaming community. These ratings determine which players dominate in Ultimate Team, Career Mode, and other game modes.

Player ratings in FC 26 use an overall rating (OVR) system that combines individual attributes like pace, shooting, passing, dribbling, defending, and physicality. The overall rating gives you a quick way to compare players, but individual stats matter just as much for how they perform in-game. Understanding these ratings helps you build stronger teams and make smarter decisions in modes like Ultimate Team.

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Top 10 Highest Rated Players In FC 26

The highest-rated players in EA FC 26 represent the elite tier of world football. These players earned their ratings through consistent performance, major achievements, and standout seasons. Here are the top 10 players and why they made the cut.

Mohamed Salah (91 OVR) leads Liverpool’s attack with incredible consistency. His goal-scoring record and assist numbers keep him at the top of the ratings. Salah’s pace (89), shooting (88), and dribbling (90) make him deadly on the right wing.

Kylian Mbappé (91 OVR) shares the top spot after his move to Real Madrid. His pace (97) is unmatched in the game, combined with elite shooting (90) and dribbling (92). Mbappé’s real-world impact in major competitions earned him this rating.

Ousmane Dembélé (90 OVR) received a major boost from previous FC games. His improved form at PSG, including key performances in Champions League matches, pushed him into the elite tier. Dembélé’s dribbling (93) is among the highest in the game.

The remaining top 10 includes Virgil van Dijk (90), Rodri (90), Jude Bellingham (90), and Erling Haaland (90). Van Dijk remains the top-rated defender with elite defending (90) and physicality (87). Rodri anchors midfield with outstanding passing (86) and defending (86). Bellingham’s versatility earned him a 90 rating at just 21 years old.

Rounding out the top 10 are Caroline Graham Hansen (90), Lamine Yamal (89), and Raphinha (89). Yamal’s inclusion at 89 OVR shows EA’s recognition of young talent breaking through at the highest level.

How To Find Complete FC 26 Player Ratings

EA provides an official database with ratings for over 17,000 players in FC 26. The FC 26 Player Ratings Database lets you search, filter, and sort players by various criteria. Third-party sites like FUTBIN also offer player databases with additional features for Ultimate Team cards.

Filter By Club, League, Or Nation

The database includes filters for clubs, leagues, and nations. Searching by club shows all players on a specific team with their ratings and positions. League filters display every player in competitions like the Premier League or La Liga. Nation filters help you find players from specific countries for building themed squads or checking national team options.

Search By PlayStyle And Position

FC 26 introduces PlayStyle Plus abilities that enhance specific skills. You can filter players by abilities like Low Driven Shot+, First Touch+, or Power Header+. Position filters show the best players at each spot on the field. These filters help you find players that fit your tactical setup and playing style.

Position-By-Position Elite Players

Position Player OVR*
Goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma 89
Goalkeeper Alisson 89
Goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois 89
Defender Virgil van Dijk 90
Full-Back Achraf Hakimi 89
Defender Marquinhos 87
Defender Alessandro Bastoni 87
Defender Rúben Dias 86
Midfielder Rodri 90
Midfielder Jude Bellingham 90
Midfielder Vitinha 89
Midfielder Kevin De Bruyne 87
Forward Kylian Mbappé 91
Forward Erling Haaland 90
Forward Harry Kane 89
Winger Mohamed Salah 91
Winger Ousmane Dembélé 90
Winger Vini Jr. 89

*OVR – Overall Rating

Biggest Rating Changes From FC 25 To FC 26

Player ratings change each year based on real-world performance, transfers, and potential. Some players received major upgrades while others saw their ratings drop. These changes affect how players perform in-game and their value in Ultimate Team.

Major Rating Increases: Lamine Yamal jumped to 89 OVR after his breakout season at Barcelona. His pace (85) and dribbling (90) reflect his impact as a teenage starter. Ousmane Dembélé moved up to 90 OVR following strong performances at PSG. Cole Palmer reached 87 OVR after his excellent debut season at Chelsea.

Notable Rating Drops: Lionel Messi dropped to 86 OVR as he moved to MLS. His pace (78) reflects the natural decline that comes with age. Several veteran players like Luka Modrić and Toni Kroos also saw rating decreases as their influence on top-level football diminished.

These rating changes create new opportunities in Ultimate Team and affect which players dominate the meta. Players who received upgrades often become more expensive on the transfer market, while those with downgrades may offer better value.

Best PlayStyle Plus Abilities To Target

PlayStyle Plus abilities give certain players enhanced skills in specific areas. These abilities can make a significant difference in how players perform during matches. Understanding which abilities work best helps you choose the right players for your team.

  • Low Driven Shot+: Enhances low, powerful shots that are harder for goalkeepers to save. Players like Kylian Mbappé, Erling Haaland, and Harry Kane have this ability.
  • First Touch+: Improves ball control when receiving passes under pressure. Jude Bellingham, Ousmane Dembélé, and Jamal Musiala excel with this trait.
  • Power Header+: Boosts heading accuracy and power during crosses and set pieces. Virgil van Dijk, Robert Lewandowski, and Erling Haaland dominate in the air with this ability.

Players with PlayStyle Plus abilities often perform better than their base stats suggest. These traits can be the difference between a good player and a game-changing one in competitive matches.

Position-By-Position Elite Player Rankings

Best Goalkeepers In FC 26

Gianluigi Donnarumma (89 OVR) tops the goalkeeper rankings with excellent reflexes and shot-stopping ability. Alisson (89 OVR) and Thibaut Courtois (89 OVR) round out the elite tier. These keepers have the highest diving, handling, and positioning stats in the game.

Top Defenders And Full-Backs

Virgil van Dijk (90 OVR) remains the best center-back with elite defending (90) and physicality (87). Achraf Hakimi (89 OVR) leads full-backs with incredible pace (92) and solid defending (82). Other top defenders include Marquinhos (87 OVR), Alessandro Bastoni (87 OVR), and Rúben Dias (86 OVR).

Elite Midfielders By Type

Central midfielders like Rodri (90 OVR), Jude Bellingham (90 OVR), and Vitinha (89 OVR) offer different strengths. Rodri excels at defensive duties with high tackling and interceptions. Bellingham provides box-to-box energy with balanced attacking and defensive stats. Creative midfielders like Kevin De Bruyne (87 OVR) have the highest passing ratings in the game.

Best Forwards And Wingers

Strikers Kylian Mbappé (91 OVR), Erling Haaland (90 OVR), and Harry Kane (89 OVR) dominate up front. Mbappé offers pace and dribbling, Haaland brings power and finishing, while Kane provides all-around striker skills. Wingers like Mohamed Salah (91 OVR), Ousmane Dembélé (90 OVR), and Vini Jr. (89 OVR) combine pace with technical ability.

How Player Ratings Affect Ultimate Team Card Values

In Ultimate Team, player ratings directly impact card prices on the transfer market. Higher-rated players are rarer in packs and more expensive to buy. Rating isn’t the only factor, but it’s usually the starting point for determining a player’s market value.

Players with 90+ OVR ratings typically cost hundreds of thousands of coins early in the game cycle. Mid-tier players with 85-89 ratings offer better value for most squads. Lower-rated players with good pace or useful PlayStyles can still be effective and cost much less.

Market prices change throughout the year based on real-world performance updates, special card releases, and supply and demand. Players who get upgraded often see their base card prices increase, while those with downgrades may become cheaper alternatives.

Skip The Grind With Secure Account Trading

Building a team with top-rated players in FC 26 player ratings takes significant time and pack luck. Many players look for faster ways to access elite cards without grinding for months. Account trading offers an alternative path to get the players you want.

Eldorado.gg marketplace helps players skip the pack-opening grind by connecting buyers with verified sellers. This approach lets you get specific players or fully built squads without relying on random pack luck. The process includes protections for both buyers and sellers to minimize common risks like account recovery or payment issues.

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