What happened with EA Sports FC 26 Icon SBCs?

FC 26 Icon Player Pick SBC details

EA Sports FC 26 has rolled out an “89+ Encore Icon Player Pick” SBC that guarantees players a legend from the related pick.

In a separate Ultimate Team update, FC 26 also introduced multiple Evolution options for wide defenders and other positions, including a “Lightning Wingback Evolution” and other evolution challenges priced in coins. These run alongside Showdown SBC content, offering upgrade paths for specific players in current squads.

Why it matters for Ultimate Team

Icon Player Picks are high-impact SBCs because they shortcut the grind for elite-level cards and can reshape team chemistry quickly—especially when they guarantee a high overall rating tier. Even for players who prefer keeping their squads mostly “current roster” rather than investing in older stars, a guaranteed legend can be a strong spur to rework formations around a new centerpiece.

At the same time, the addition of timed Evolutions (with clear coin costs in the stories) matters because they provide a controlled way to upgrade wide defenders without needing to buy expensive new cards on the market. That helps players balance squad strength with coin budgets.

Finally, Showdown SBCs and Evolutions tend to be time-sensitive. Once you miss the window, the upgrade route and potential matchup-specific cards can disappear from the SBC/Evolution pool, pushing players to complete milestones quickly rather than gradually.