EA Sports has delivered another intriguing Ultimate Scream promotional item with the Marcus Rashford Ultimate Scream Pick SBC in EA FC26. This Squad Building Challenge offers a unique twist—you choose between two versions of the FC Barcelona attacker: a clinical striker variant or a pacey right-winger option, each tailored with distinct stats and PlayStyles to fit different tactical approaches.
Following the successful format established by the Paul Pogba Ultimate Scream Pick SBC (which offered CAM and CDM versions), Rashford’s dual-option card reflects EA’s commitment to providing tactical flexibility within Ultimate Team squad building.
Table of Contents
EA FC26 SBC Overview at a Glance
| SBC Element | Details |
|---|---|
| Player | Marcus Rashford (FC Barcelona) |
| Promo | Ultimate Scream |
| Card Type | Pick SBC (Choose 1 of 2) |
| Option 1 | Striker (ST) – Enhanced Shooting & Dribbling |
| Option 2 | Right Winger (RW) – Superior Pace & Passing |
| Total Squads Required | 4 Segments |
| TOTW Cards Needed | 3 Total |
| Estimated Cost | ~250,000 Coins |
| Weak Foot | 3-Star (Limitation) |
| PlayStyle+ | None (Notable Absence) |
| Value Assessment | Underwhelming vs EVO Alternative |
Complete Task Breakdown with Budget Solutions
Task 1: FC Barcelona Connection
This opening segment requires a Barcelona player plus a Team of the Week card, balanced around an 85-rated squad.
Requirements:
- FC Barcelona players: Minimum 1
- TOTW players: Minimum 1
- Team overall rating: Minimum 85
Budget-Friendly Solutions: Focus on affordable 85-rated women’s footballers who provide excellent value:
- Alexandra Popp (85) – Wolfsburg midfielder, consistently affordable
- Caitlin Foord (85) – Arsenal forward, stable market price
- Barbara Bonansea (85) – Juventus winger option
- Granit Xhaka (85) – Bayer Leverkusen, men’s side budget option
- Dani Olmo (85) – Your FC Barcelona requirement, slightly pricier
- Benjamin Pavard (84) – Rating filler
- Schrader TOTW (84) – Cheapest TOTW requirement fulfillment
Pro Tip: Women’s footballers often provide better rating-to-coin ratios than equivalent men’s cards. Don’t overlook these value options when building budget solutions.
Task 2: England International
Similar structure to Task 1, requiring an English player instead of Barcelona affiliation.
Requirements:
- England players: Minimum 1
- TOTW players: Minimum 1
- Team overall rating: Minimum 85
Cost-Effective Solutions:
- Jordan Pickford (84) – Everton goalkeeper, fulfills England requirement affordably
- Caroline Weir (85) – Arsenal midfielder (women’s), excellent value
- Repeat budget 85-rated players: Popp, Foord, Girelli, Vivianne Miedema
- Schrader TOTW (84) – Second TOTW requirement
Strategic Insight: If you have untradeable 85-rated cards from previous packs or objectives, prioritize using them here to minimize coin expenditure.
Task 3: Top Form Challenge
This segment increases the rating requirement while maintaining the TOTW necessity.
Requirements:
- TOTW players: Minimum 1
- Team overall rating: Minimum 86
Optimal Solutions: High-rated anchors combined with budget fillers create the 86 average:
- Marie Katoto (88) – PSG striker, top-tier women’s card
- Irene Paredes (88) – Barcelona defender, dual-purpose rating boost
- Ada Hegerberg (87) – Lyon forward, expensive but efficient
- Millie Bright (87) – Chelsea defender alternative
- Budget 84s: Ruben Neves, Maanum, Isco, Sergej Milinkovic-Savic
- Mateta TOTW (84) – Third and final TOTW requirement
- Rating fillers: Pedro Goncalves (83), Gimenez (83)
Chemistry Tip: Focus on same-league or same-nation links to maintain chemistry while using diverse ratings.
Task 4: Premium 87-Rated Squad
The final segment demands your highest-rated squad without specific TOTW requirements.
Requirements:
- Team overall rating: Minimum 87
Elite Solutions: Multiple 88-rated cards create the foundation:
- Christiane Endler (88) – Lyon goalkeeper
- Irene Paredes (88) – Can reuse if you have duplicates
- Robert Lewandowski (88) – FC Barcelona striker, expensive men’s option
- Marie Katoto (88) – Reusable if available
- Gabriel Magalhães (88) – Arsenal defender
- Mid-tier fillers: Ella Toone (85), Giugliano (85), Girelli (85)
- Budget 84s: Milinkovic-Savic, Maanum, Manuel Locatelli
Completion Strategy: This final squad consumes the bulk of your budget. Prioritize using untradeable high-rated cards from your club before purchasing from the market.
Striker vs Right Winger: Which Version Should You Choose?
The Pick SBC format forces a crucial decision between two statistically distinct versions:
Striker Version (ST)
Strengths:
- Enhanced Shooting: Superior finishing, shot power, and long shots
- Improved Dribbling: Better agility and ball control in tight spaces
- Central Positioning: Ideal for false nine or target man tactics
Best For: Players who utilize central strikers as primary goal-scoring outlets, formations with single ST (4-3-3 False 9, 4-2-3-1), and those who value clinical finishing over build-up contribution.
Right Winger Version (RW)
Strengths:
- Superior Pace: Higher acceleration and sprint speed for wing play
- Better Passing: Enhanced crossing and through-ball accuracy
- Width Provider: Natural fit for formations requiring wide attackers
Best For: Players running wing-heavy tactics (4-3-3 variants, 4-2-4), counter-attacking strategies leveraging pace, and those who value creative playmaking over pure finishing.
Value Analysis: Is This SBC Worth Completing?
At approximately 250,000 coins, the Rashford Ultimate Scream Pick SBC presents questionable value compared to alternatives:
Concerning Factors:
- Three-Star Weak Foot: Significantly limits shooting reliability from the left foot
- No PlayStyle+: Absence of premium PlayStyles reduces elite-level effectiveness
- EVO Alternative Exists: Rashford’s Evolution card offers similar statistics at potentially lower investment
- High TOTW Requirement: Three Team of the Week cards inflate cost substantially
Positive Aspects:
- Dual Option Flexibility: Choose the version matching your tactical needs
- Impressive Base Stats: Both versions feature strong pace, shooting, and physical attributes
- Barcelona Chemistry: Links seamlessly with other Barcelona players in hybrid squads
- Promo Design: Ultimate Scream aesthetic appeals to collectors
Verdict: Unless you’re a dedicated Rashford fan or already have substantial untradeable high-rated fodder, this SBC represents mediocre value. The 250K investment could purchase comparable or superior players from the transfer market, particularly considering Rashford’s weak foot limitation.
Fodder Management Tips
Optimize Your Club: Before purchasing cards, thoroughly review your club for untradeable duplicates and unused high-rated cards from previous packs.
Market Timing: Complete this SBC during rewards release windows (Thursday evenings, weekend league rewards) when card supply increases and prices temporarily drop.
TOTW Strategy: TOTW cards constitute your primary expense. Monitor the market for recent TOTW releases whose prices haven’t stabilized—early cards often trade below their eventual floor price.
Women’s Football Value: Don’t overlook women’s footballers—cards like Popp, Katoto, and Paredes provide exceptional rating value at fraction of equivalent men’s cards.
For comprehensive EA FC26 SBC solutions and Ultimate Team guides, explore our expert coverage. Visit EA Sports’ official FC website for the latest promo updates and content releases.
Stay informed about FIFA Ultimate Team strategies and market analysis to maximize your coin efficiency throughout the season.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Which version of Marcus Rashford should I choose—the Striker or Right Winger—and does it significantly impact gameplay?
A: The choice depends entirely on your formation and tactical approach. The Striker version excels in central attacking roles with enhanced shooting (better finishing, shot power, long shots) and improved dribbling for navigating tight defensive spaces—ideal for formations like 4-2-3-1, 4-3-3 False 9, or 4-4-2 where you need a clinical finisher. The Right Winger version prioritizes pace (higher acceleration and sprint speed) plus superior passing (better crossing and through balls)—perfect for wing-heavy formations like 4-3-3 Attack, 4-2-4, or 3-5-2 where wide players provide width and creative service. If you run counter-attacking tactics leveraging speed, choose the winger. If you prefer possession-based play with a target striker, choose the ST version. Unfortunately, both versions share the problematic three-star weak foot, so neither resolves Rashford’s historical finishing inconsistency on his left side. Test similar players in your formation before committing.
Q: Is the Marcus Rashford Ultimate Scream Pick SBC worth completing at 250,000 coins, or should I save coins for other investments?
A: At 250,000 coins, this SBC represents questionable value for most players. The problematic three-star weak foot significantly limits Rashford’s effectiveness in elite-level gameplay—you’ll notice finishing inconsistency when cutting inside on his weak foot. Additionally, the complete absence of PlayStyle+ abilities means he lacks premium attributes that define top-tier cards in EA FC 26’s meta. Most concerning is that Rashford’s Evolution card offers similar statistics at potentially lower overall investment, making this SBC redundant unless you specifically want the Ultimate Scream aesthetic or already possess substantial untradeable high-rated fodder. The 250K investment could instead purchase meta players like Vinicius Jr alternatives, premium defenders, or elite midfielders who better fit the competitive meta. Only complete this SBC if: you’re a dedicated Rashford collector, you have 200K+ in untradeable fodder making actual cost under 50K, or you specifically need a Barcelona attacker for chemistry purposes. Otherwise, save your coins for more impactful investments during upcoming promos.
