The World Cup is a tournament where national teams compete every four years to become world champions. Although it’s a team game, many of those teams depend on their individual players to make the difference. This is especially apparent when there are teams that don’t have the luxury of going to the World Cup with a full team of stars.

I Used EA Sports FC 26 To Simulate The 2026 World Cup, Here’s What Happened
From the Group Stage to the Final, here’s what happens when the 2026 World Cup is simulated in EA Sports FC 26.
Take Egypt, for example. To go far in the 2026 World Cup, they need to depend on star players like Mohamed Salah and Omar Marmoush, who play for Liverpool and Manchester City, respectively. If you’re watching the 2026 World Cup, you can check this EA Sports FC 26 list to learn about the best players in the tournament.
8
89-Rated Players
There are several 89-Rated players in the EA Sports FC 26 World Cup update. You can find them in some of the best teams in the 2026 World Cup or as some of the only 89-Rated players on weaker teams, like Egypt or Uruguay. Here are all the 89-Rated players in the update:
|
Player |
Nation |
Key Skills |
|---|---|---|
|
Rodri |
Spain |
|
|
Vini Jr. |
Brazil |
|
|
Olise |
France |
|
|
Lamine Yamal |
Spain |
|
|
Raphinha |
Brazil |
|
|
Gabriel |
Brazil |
|
|
Hakimi |
Morocco |
|
|
Mo Salah |
Egypt |
|
|
Bellingham |
England |
|
|
Valverde |
Uruguay |
|
|
Kimmich |
Germany |
|
7
Thibaut Courtois – 90
|
Thibaut Courtois |
Belgium |
|
|---|
Thibaut Courtois is arguably one of the best goalkeepers ever. He has more than 20 major trophies, including 2 Champions League titles, which makes it hard to argue against that claim. Going into the numbers, Courtois has an overall rating of 90 in EA Sports FC 26, with 90 Reflexes and the Close Down+ Playstyle. With those skills, Courtois is a strong last line of defense to stop opponents from scoring against you.
6
Harry Kane – 90
|
Harry Kane |
England |
|
|---|
It’s hard to assess Harry Kane based on numbers, as he does many things during the match. In fact, he’s one of the best players on this list, even if the numbers don’t support that. As a striker in EA Sports FC 26, it’s enough that Kane has 90 Shooting alongside Finesse Shot+. This makes him a great danger to any team that gives him a tiny space in front of the goal or even outside the penalty box.
5
Vitinha – 90
|
Vitinha |
Portugal |
|
|---|
Vitinha is one of the best midfielders in the world right now. He’s one of the main reasons Paris Saint-Germain won the Champions League twice in the past two years. As a midfielder in EA Sports FC 26, Vitinha has 87 Passing and 91 Dribbling. These stats allow him to control the ball and create chances. He is also solid defensively thanks to his stats and the Intercept Playstyle.
4
Pedri – 90
|
Pedri |
Spain |
|
|---|

EA Sports FC 26: The Best Free Agents in Career Mode
The following are the best free agents in FC 26 for Career Mode, and tips on how to find future free deals in further seasons are also provided.
Pedri had a good season with Barcelona and is looking to have a good run with Spain in the 2026 World Cup. Just like Vitinha, Pedri has the Passing and Dribbling stats that allow him to keep possession and help his team play more attacking football. However, that’s not all. With the First Touch+ PlayStyle, Pedri can also receive the ball quickly and transition it into the attack, creating faster counterattacks.
3
Ousmane Dembele – 90
|
Ousmane Dembele |
France |
|
|---|
France is looking really nice with two 90+ rated players in their squad. Starting with Ousmane Dembele, the 2025 Men’s Ballon d’Or winner is insanely fast and has the Dribbling stats to create terror on the wings. He can also get into the penalty box and score with his 88 Shooting.
2
Erling Haaland – 91
|
Erling Haaland |
Norway |
|
|---|

The Tallest Players in EA Sports FC 26
The tallest players in FC 26 are able to win more aerial duels, both while attacking and defending. The tallest keepers are also highly prized.
Erling Haaland may not have a great World Cup team, but he and Martin Odegaard may create magic during the tournament. With fast Pace, great Shooting, and strong Physical stats, Haaland is an absolute tank on the front lines and can hold the ball and create grave danger against a team that isn’t prepared to handle him.
1
Kylian Mbappe – 91
|
Kylian Mbappe |
France |
|
|---|
Kylian Mbappe is arguably the uncrowned best player in the world and has been for many years now. At least in those years, EA Sports FC has crowned him in their games. It’s hard to argue against Mbappe being the best when you look at his stats, which include 90+ Pace, Shooting, and Dribbling. He is almost maxed out in everything that a striker needs.
- Released
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September 26, 2025
- ESRB
-
Everyone / In-Game Purchases (Includes Random Items), Users Interact