FC 26 Starter Squads: Affordable Teams to Dominate Early Game

With FC 26 launching globally on PC at 8:00 PM BST on September 18, excitement is building as players prepare to craft their first squads. For many, especially free-to-play or low-budget players, having an affordable yet competitive starter team can make all the difference in those crucial first weeks.

In this guide, I’ll walk you through two squad setups I believe offer outstanding value right out of the gate. Whether you’re looking for a cheap-but-effective build or you have a little more to spend, these teams will give you a strong foundation.

Important Tip: Don’t Lose Your FC Points

When you first log in to FC 26, the game will prompt you about whether to transfer your FC Points from FC 25.

Take your time here—if you skip or decline the transfer by accident, you may not be able to recover those points. Every year, plenty of players lose their points by rushing through setup screens. To avoid that mistake:

• Read all messages carefully during initial login.
• Confirm your transfer before moving forward.
• If anything seems unclear, check EA’s official FAQ or help pages first.

Policies may vary by region or platform, so being cautious is the best way to protect your hard-earned points.

Why Chemistry Matters Early On

Even with lower-rated cards, good chemistry can turn an average team into a competitive one. Early on, I recommend focusing on leagues and nations that provide strong, affordable chemistry links.

Some great starting points include:

• Serie A – balanced options across all positions.
• Saudi Pro League – offers high-profile players at more accessible prices.
• The Championship – underrated for budget-friendly chemistry links.

Don’t forget to:

• Complete starter SBCs for easy packs and coins.
• Keep an eye on the market—prices fluctuate wildly during launch week.

Squad 1 – The Budget Beast (Under 100k FUT Coins)

Estimated cost at preview: ~22k FUT coins (will rise, but should stay under 100k).

Key feature: Affordable core with room for upgrades.

Highlights:

• Cristiano Ronaldo – pricey, but worth it for his 5-star skills and weak foot.
• Fred & Talisca – great midfield balance; Talisca’s 5-star weak foot makes him silky smooth on the ball.
• Defense – built for speed, with fullbacks boasting 89 and 91 pace.
• Kuhn (Serie A) – expected upgrade to gold, boosting both value and chemistry.

Upgrade path: Eventually bring in Neymar on the left or other Serie A/Saudi League stars.

Budget Alternatives:

If Cristiano Ronaldo is out of reach, try Aleksandar Mitrović or Moussa Dembélé in the Saudi League for cheaper striker options.

For the midfield, Soualiho Meïté or Ever Banega can serve as affordable replacements while still maintaining chemistry.

Squad 2 – La Liga/EPL Hybrid (~800k–1M FUT Coins)

Estimated cost at preview: ~62k FUT coins (but expected to skyrocket post-launch).

Key feature: Strong chemistry links + elite attackers.

Highlights:

• Marcus Rashford (now at Barcelona) – one of the most desirable early-game cards, with 5-star skills and lethal shooting. Expect him to hit 300k–500k FC 26 coins his own.
• Raphinha & Lamine Yamal – perfect chemistry on the right flank.
• Xavi Simons (Chelsea) – dynamic midfield option to complete the hybrid.
• While La Liga squads are often more expensive at launch, this hybrid setup balances chemistry, flair, and high-level performance.

Budget Alternatives:

• If Rashford is too expensive, try Ansu Fati or Yeremy Pino for strong La Liga links at a fraction of the cost.
• Instead of Xavi Simons, Pedri (if affordable) or Ángel Gomes could fit well while keeping chemistry intact.

Future Upgrade Paths

Building a strong starter team is only step one. Here’s how you can gradually evolve these squads in the first 1–2 weeks of FC 26:

1. Budget Beast Upgrades:

• Add Vinícius Júnior as soon as their prices stabilize.
• Upgrade the defense with Kalidou Koulibaly (Saudi League) or Bremer (Serie A) for more strength.
• Swap out Talisca for a higher-tier CAM like Sergej Milinković-Savić.

1. La Liga/EPL Hybrid Upgrades:

• Replace Raphinha with Ousmane Dembélé for more pace and 5-star skills.
• Strengthen the midfield with Frenkie de Jong or Enzo Fernández.
• Eventually, look to add an elite striker like Robert Lewandowski or a Premier League icon if your budget allows.

By following these upgrade routes, your starter team can naturally transition into a competitive Weekend League squad without wasting coins on unnecessary early swaps.

Final Thoughts

I’ll personally be mixing and matching these two builds when FC 26 goes live, and I’ll share updates in real time during my streams.

Whether you’re starting out on a shoestring budget or you’re ready to invest a little more, both of these squads can carry you through the early grind. And with the alternative player options and upgrade paths I’ve listed, you’ll still have plenty of competitive choices even if the market goes wild after launch.

Here’s wishing you a smooth start in FC 26–may your packs be stacked and your squad unstoppable!

👉 If you found this guide helpful, don’t forget to leave a like or share it with fellow FC fans. Good luck building your dream starter team!