FC 26 Daily Update: Pre-Order Icons, Cornerstones Promo Leak, and New SBCs

The launch window of FC 26 continues to deliver plenty of fresh content. Players are receiving their long-awaited pre-order Icon packs, new SBCs are shaking up squad-building, and leaks are pointing toward the next major promo.

Pre-Order Icons Go Live

Deluxe Edition owners have now unlocked their pre-order Icon packs, with EA Play subscribers earning two. Community pulls have ranged from exciting new Icons like Marcelo to less desirable goalkeeper cards.

For budget or free-to-play players, these Icons still provide value as chemistry anchors or stopgap starters. Strong pulls like Konate or Rashford have also proven popular in early formations such as 4-4-2 and 4-4-1-1, both of which remain reliable setups at launch.

World Tour Reece James SBC

A new SBC has introduced Chelsea right-back Reece James, priced around 35–37K FC 26 coins and boasting a 70% approval rating.

• Strengths: 3★ skills, 4★ weak foot, 81 pace, 84 defending, and a large frame that makes him a strong defensive option. With a Shadow, he becomes one of the Premier League’s best early-game fullbacks.
• Drawbacks: At over 35K FC 26 coins, the cost is steep for zero-to-low spenders, especially when coins are better invested in attackers or midfielders.

For Premier League squads or Chelsea fans, James is a long-term option worth considering. For others, especially those already using Walker, his value is less convincing.

Derby Showdown SBCs

Two budget-friendly Showdown cards have arrived:

• Pepe (Villarreal) – ~14K FC 26 coins, 89 pace, 4★ skills, 3★ weak foot. Solid LaLiga winger, but not essential if you already own better options.
• Berchiche (Athletic Club) – ~8.5K FC 26 coins, 80 pace with average stats. Only notable for chemistry with Nico Williams.

Both are inexpensive, but far from must-completes unless you need specific chemistry links.

Free Goalkeeper Evolution

A free GK Evolution is now available for goalkeepers rated 82 or lower, offering small stat boosts. While not game-changing, it can be useful for linking to defenders like Van de Ven in hybrid squads.

Cornerstones Promo Leak

Leaks suggest that the next event will be Cornerstones, featuring a stone-themed card design. Predicted names include Van Dijk, Son Heung-min, Carvajal, Di Maria, and Talisca.

At this stage, Cornerstones appears to be a standard stat-boost promo without dynamic upgrades. Still, early special cards typically outperform golds and could provide valuable upgrades for competitive squads.

TOTW Predictions and Trading Tips

Weekend fixtures have created several strong Team of the Week candidates:

• Likely picks: Militao (goal + standout performance), Ferran Torres (brace), Ansu Fati (brace), Gravenberch (goal + assist), and Pulisic (two goals and an assist).
• Other contenders: Messi (goal + two assists), Bruno Fernandes, Kante, Joao Felix (two goals), Cristiano Ronaldo, and Son Heung-min.

Trading strategy:

• Gold versions of TOTW candidates leave packs for a week, reducing supply. For in-demand players like Militao, this typically triggers a price rise.
• Investors can buy early and sell once TOTW is confirmed, capitalizing on short-term spikes.

Extra Notes

Rumors suggest EA may adjust player ratings mid-season, though this remains unconfirmed and would be unprecedented.

Don’t overlook daily objectives and XP rewards. At launch, every free card and pack contributes to long-term progression.

Players with over 1M FC 26 coins should focus on rare golds, promo cards, TOTWs, Heroes, and Icons, all of which hold value better than low-rated fodder golds (82–83) that will crash when Standard Edition players flood the market.

The past few days have been packed with content. Pre-order Icons are live, Reece James headlines the World Tour SBC, and Derby Showdown cards provide cheap chemistry options. Looking ahead, the Cornerstones promo and next week’s TOTW represent the biggest opportunities for squad building and trading in FC 26.

Final Thoughts

For players looking to maximize their early progress in FC 26, smart resource management is key. Whether you’re investing in potential TOTW risers, grinding objectives, or exploring new SBCs, every decision can have a lasting impact on your squad. If you’re building your dream team, keeping an eye on the market for FC 26 coins, monitoring FUT trading trends, and preparing SBC solutions ahead of time will give you a strong competitive edge throughout the season.