FC 26 Launch Day Guide: 5 Things Every Player Should Do First

The release of EA Sports FC 26 is one of the most exciting moments of the year for football gamers. Whether you've been grinding Ultimate Team for years or you're just starting out, what you do on the first day will determine how quickly you can build up your squad, earn rewards, and compete with others. The early hours of launch are when the market is unstable, prices are inflated, and every pack feels like a lottery ticket. To help you avoid common mistakes, here are five essential things you should do on FC 26 launch day to stay ahead of the competition.

1. Complete the Foundation SBCs for Easy Rewards

One of the first things to check in Ultimate Team is the Foundation Squad Building Challenges (SBCs). These are designed as beginner-friendly puzzles that don't require expensive players. By completing them, you'll earn small packs, coins, and consumables that can boost your starting squad. Many new players skip SBCs because they want to jump straight into matches, but this is a mistake. These challenges are the fastest way to get untradeable cards and learn the mechanics of team building. Make this your first stop when you log in.

2. Grind Objectives and Moments to Build Your Resource Pool

If you want to build momentum on day one, head into Objectives and Moments.

• Objectives: These include simple tasks like scoring goals, playing matches, or winning games. The rewards often include coins, players, or packs.
• Moments: These are bite-sized gameplay scenarios that take only a few minutes to complete. By finishing them, you earn stars that can be exchanged for rewards.

Spending a couple of hours here on launch day will give you the foundation you need before you step into competitive matches.

3. Build a Temporary Squad Instead of Buying Stars

On day one, the transfer market is chaotic. Prices for popular players skyrocket as everyone wants to create a dream team immediately. But smart players know to wait. Instead of wasting all your resources on overpriced cards, use the players you pack and supplement your squad with cheap but effective meta options.

Look for pacey wingers, strong midfielders, and reliable center-backs from popular leagues like the Premier League or La Liga. These cards will help you stay competitive while you wait for prices to stabilize.

4. Test the Gameplay in Different Modes

Before you dive deep into Rivals, it's smart to experiment with several game modes:

• Squad Battles: A safer environment against AI opponents that rewards you with points and weekly prizes.
• Rivals: The core online competitive mode where you can test your tactics against real players.
• Draft: A great way to try high-level squads for a small entry fee, while still having a chance to pack valuable rewards.

Every year, EA tweaks gameplay mechanics like dribbling, stamina, and shooting. Launch day is the best time to get used to these changes. By the time rivals get serious, you'll already know what works.

5. Plan Your Trading and Coin Management Early

Trading is where experienced FUT players get ahead. The first day of FC 26 brings wild market swings. Some cards are undervalued, while others are massively overpriced. If you know how to spot trends, you can make easy profits.

Here are a few tips:

• Don't quick-sell your opening packs. Even common players from popular leagues may sell for a high price.
• Keep an eye on cheap cards that are likely to rise in demand for early SBCs.
• Save some coins instead of blowing everything on packs or one expensive player.

And if you're short on resources or want to speed up your progress, you can also consider trusted marketplaces. M8X, the platform that now fully integrates services from its long-time brand FIFACOIN, continues to provide a safe and reliable way for players to purchase FC coins. Just make sure to use reliable platforms to avoid risks.

Your first day at FC 26 should be focused building foundations rather than making big investments. Complete SBCs, grind Objectives and Moments, build a functional initial squad, test gameplay in various modes, and carefully manage your coins to position yourself up for success in the coming weeks.

The key is patience. Don't let the excitement of opening day lead you to waste resources. Instead, focus on making smart choices that can give you long-term benefits. Following these five steps will help you to compete with the best while enjoying all FC 26 has to offer.