FC 26 Gold Ratings Breakdown: Winners, Losers, and Cards to Watch

With the gradual reveal of FC 26 gold ratings, one of the hottest topics among players is how much the new cards have changed compared to last year. Which players have received meaningful upgrades? Who stayed stagnant? And who has been hit with frustrating downgrades?

In this guide, we’ll take a closer look at some of the most notable cards in FC 26 and evaluate them across three dimensions: major upgrades worth chasing, modest adjustments with little impact, and disappointing downgrades. Along the way, we’ll also highlight how FC 26 coins can help you secure these cards early and gain an advantage in the transfer market.

Big Winners: Must-Try Cards

A handful of players have received upgrades that make them game-changers in FC 26. For competitive players, these are the cards that are absolutely worth chasing as soon as the market opens—often requiring a smart investment of FC 26 coins to get ahead of the curve.

Federico Valverde is arguably one of the most impactful changes. He now has additional positions at right-back (RB) and defensive midfield (CDM), making him incredibly versatile. On top of that, his new “Battery” PlayStyle enhances his role as a tireless presence. For players running LaLiga or Real Madrid squads, this is one of the most valuable cards to target early, and picking him up quickly with FC 26 coins could be a decisive move before his price spikes.

Ousmane Dembele is another clear winner. His shooting jumped by a massive +13, dribbling improved by +5, and he retains his five-star skills, five-star weak foot, and “Rapid” PlayStyle+. Essentially, this is a supercharged version of his FC 25 card, finally fixing his long-criticized finishing issues. With 88 shooting, he can even play as a central striker and easily become the cornerstone of any Ligue 1 squad. Expect his early price to be high, so saving or investing FC 26 coins wisely will be essential.

Raphinha may not have skyrocketed as much as Dembele, but his improvements are still very useful. He gained the “Rapid” PlayStyle+ and an additional left midfield (LM) position, which makes him an excellent fit in 4-4-2 or 4-4-1-1 systems.

Achraf Hakimi continues to dominate as a right-back, breaking past the position’s rating ceiling with an 89 OVR. His PlayStyle pool is outstanding, featuring Finesse Shot, Whipped Pass, Jockey, Technical, and Trivela. No wasted slots here—he’s easily one of the most in-demand full-backs in the game.

On the opposite flank, Nuno Mendes looks equally powerful. With 95 pace and the addition of “Rapid” and “Trickster” PlayStyles, he’s positioned to take over as the best left-back after Theo Hernandez’s move to the Saudi League. PSG now boasts arguably the most dominant full-back duo in FC 26.

In attack, Jack Rice combines 90 pace with 91 physicality and a new “Bruiser” PlayStyle, making him a dangerous central striker. Alexander Isak also got a significant boost, climbing from 85 to 88 OVR. He now has “Finesse Shot” PlayStyle+, plus new finishing traits like Trivela and Chip Shot, giving Premier League squads a much-needed top-tier striker.

On defense, Willian Pacho saw one of the most dramatic upgrades. His OVR jumped +8 to 86, with defending and physical both rising from 79 to 86. With 80 pace and a Gold PlayStyle, he has the potential to be a Tier 0 center-back, especially in the early meta.

Finally, Heung-Min Son deserves mention. While his pace and shooting received small downgrades, he kept his “Finesse Shot” PlayStyle+ and gained additional finishing traits like Outside Foot Shot and Chip Shot. Although his MLS move complicates chemistry links, his price will likely be very affordable, making him a strong value option for anyone managing their FC 26 coins carefully.

Modest Changes: Nothing Special

Not every card received meaningful improvements. Some remain largely unchanged and may not justify a spot in competitive squads.

William Saliba took a painful hit with -5 pace, significantly reducing his viability despite his strong defensive model. For budget Premier League players, this creates a major gap when looking for alternatives to Virgil van Dijk.

Robert Lewandowski saw virtually no change. He remains a decent striker for Barcelona fans, but his lack of PlayStyle upgrades makes him hard to justify against more agile or versatile forwards.

Jude Bellingham, despite being the cover star, still feels awkwardly positioned. As a box-to-box midfielder, he lacks defensive PlayStyles; as a CAM, his build is too heavy. His “Battery” PlayStyle+ doesn’t stand out much in a game where stamina isn’t a major constraint.

Erling Haaland also underwhelms. Although the new meta emphasizes physical play, his Gold PlayStyle is “Chip Shot,” which has already been toned down in test versions. Without a more impactful PlayStyle+, he risks falling short of expectations.

Lamine Yamal received an +8 OVR boost, now with five-star skills and the “Technical” PlayStyle+. Still, compared to Dembele or Raphinha, his upgrade feels underwhelming.

Big Losers: Cards to Avoid

A few players were hit with changes that make them far less appealing in FC 26.

Vitinha had a breakout season in real life, but his card barely changed. His PlayStyle shift doesn’t compensate for his low pace, leaving him overshadowed in midfield.

Kevin De Bruyne is another head-scratcher. His iconic “Through Pass” PlayStyle+ was swapped for “Whipped Pass,” which doesn’t suit his role nearly as well. Combined with average pace, this feels like a downgrade, especially now that he’s in Serie A with fewer obvious chemistry links.

Moises Caicedo is a classic case of misleading upgrades. His OVR went up by +5, but EA cut his pace by -4. While one of his defensive PlayStyles was upgraded, his core strengths don’t match the meta. He feels like a weaker version of N’Golo Kante.

Gabriel Magalhaes also falls into this category. His pace dropped further, dragging down Arsenal’s defensive options. Without standout PlayStyles, his card struggles to compete.

Final Thoughts

The early reveal of FC 26 gold ratings makes one thing clear: EA continues to push the gap between meta-defining players and filler cards. Dembélé, Hakimi, Valverde, Isak, Pacho, and Mendes stand out as the early winners and should be high-priority targets. Meanwhile, Saliba, Bellingham, Haaland, and others remain stuck in mediocrity, while De Bruyne, Caicedo, and Gabriel look like major disappointments.

Of course, these impressions are based on the initial ratings reveal, and the real meta will evolve once the full database and in-game mechanics are tested. For now, keeping an eye on the clear upgrades and managing your FC 26 coins wisely will be just as important as knowing which players are truly meta.

Have you spotted any underrated gems or unexpected nerfs in FC 26? Share your thoughts with the community—sometimes the best cards aren’t the ones everyone is talking about.