FC26 Daily Update: Brazilian League Returns, Future Stars SBCs, and New Icon Leaks

Hello everyone, this is Caesar bringing you the latest daily briefing for FC26. Today is Thursday, February 5th, marking the final day of the first week of the Future Stars campaign. As we prepare for the arrival of Team 2 this Friday, we have a massive wave of leaks regarding new Icon data, upcoming SBCs, and significant licensing news that will reshape your Ultimate Team strategy.

Licensing Breakthrough: Brazil and Mexico Return

In a major win for authenticity, the Brazilian League (Serie A) and the Mexican League (Liga MX) are officially returning to the franchise. While full integration is still unfolding, two Brazilian clubs—including Botafogo—have already gone live in the FC Mobile ecosystem. This homecoming is particularly exciting for fans of Neymar Jr.. Given his immense popularity in-game, his return to a licensed league virtually guarantees high-tier special cards in the near future, whether in the current cycle or the upcoming edition.

New Icon and Hero Data Leaked

Several legendary figures are set to join the ranks with updated face scans and stats. Heading the list is the legendary Brazilian captain, Dunga. His base Icon card is slated to be an 87-rated CDM featuring the "Anticipate" (PlayStyle+). While his pace might seem modest for the current power curve, his 87 defending and 85 physical make him a defensive anchor.

Joining him is fellow Brazilian Gilberto Silva, the "Invisible Wall" of Arsenal’s Invincibles era. His 81-rated CDM card boasts the "Jockey" (PlayStyle+). With 84 defending and 84 physical, he offers excellent Premier League chemistry links. For Bundesliga enthusiasts, German marksman Oliver Bierhoff arrives as an 86-rated ST with "Power Header" (PlayStyle+). Though his 79 pace is a drawback, his 85 shooting and aerial presence make him a niche threat in a cross-heavy meta.

Future Stars Team 2 SBC Leaks

The community is buzzing about the leaked SBCs for the Future Stars Team 2. Seydou Doumbia is a standout name; the legendary "pace merchant" returns with an 89-rated ST card. Featuring both "Rapid" and "Chip Shot" (PlayStyle+), Doumbia boasts a blistering 96 pace. While his passing (80) and physical (68 strength) are weak points, he remains a T1.5 striker for those who love playing on the counter.

In midfield, PSG’s rising star Mayulu is expected to receive an SBC card. Positioned as an attacking CM, his 90-rated card features "Technical" and "Through Pass" (PlayStyle+). With 92 dribbling and 90 passing, he is a perfect engine for Ligue 1 squads, especially as high-quality midfield SBCs have been rare since the Team of the Year window. Other leaked SBCs include Inter Milan's Esposito (88 ST) and Crystal Palace’s Pino.

Technical Academy Evolution: The Dante Meta

A new free Evolution titled "Technical Institute" (Technical Academy) is now available, and it is a game-changer for owners of the previous "Pinnacle of Youth" Dante. This evolution provides two slots for center-backs and caps at 87 OVR. For those who have been "stacking" Dante’s evolutions, this latest path perfectly fits his stats, boosting his defending to 89 and adding the "Jockey" silver playstyle. This keeps his OVR low enough to remain eligible for future "power-up" evolutions while significantly enhancing his in-game feel.

Gameplay Warning: Finesse Shot Bug

On a critical gameplay note, many players have reported a frustrating bug regarding the "Finesse Shot" after the latest update. Specifically, finesse shots—even those from players with the gold or silver "Finesse Shot" playstyle like Wilson or Pina—frequently lose all power, resulting in a weak ball that rolls straight to the keeper.

EA Sports has officially acknowledged this issue, clarifying that it was an unintended error and not a secret "nerf". While a fix is currently in development, it is strongly advised to avoid using finesse shots in high-stakes situations like 1v1 breakaways. Until the patch is live, stick to "Low Driven" shots or standard power shots to ensure your clinical finishes aren't ruined by the glitch.

As we look forward to the Future Stars Team 2 release tomorrow, make sure to finish any pending SBCs like the highly-rated Wilson card before they expire. Good luck with your pack pulls, and I’ll see you tomorrow for a full breakdown of the new content!