With EA FC26‘s release just one month away, the gaming community is buzzing with anticipation about which players will receive the biggest rating upgrades. While only a few ratings have been officially confirmed, our comprehensive analysis reveals shocking predictions that could transform your Ultimate Team experience.
These aren’t just numbers—they’re potential game-changers that could define the meta and reshape how millions of players build their dream squads.
Table of Contents
Top 10 Predicted Rating Upgrades in EA FC26
| Player | Current Rating | Predicted Rating | Upgrade | New Club | Position |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Myles Lewis-Skelly | 58 | 77 | +19 | Arsenal FC | Left-Back |
| Ethan Nwaneri | 64 | 75 | +11 | Arsenal FC | CAM/Wing |
| Mika Biereth | 68 | 78 | +10 | AS Monaco | Striker |
| Nick Woltemade | 69 | 78 | +9 | Newcastle United | Striker |
| Joan García | 76 | 84 | +8 | Barcelona FC | Goalkeeper |
| William Pacho | 78 | 85 | +7 | Paris Saint-Germain | Centre-Back |
| Désiré Doué | 76 | 83 | +7 | Paris Saint-Germain | Winger |
| Hugo Ekitiké | 76 | 82 | +6 | Liverpool FC | Striker |
| Rayan Cherki | 75 | 81 | +6 | Manchester City | CAM |
| Omar Marmoush | 79 | 84 | +5 | Manchester City | Striker |
The Methodology Behind Our Predictions
Our EA FC 26 rating predictions are based on three crucial factors that EA Sports consistently uses for their annual upgrades:
Ultimate Team Performance Analysis: Tracking Team of the Week (TOTW), Player of the Month (POTM), and Team of the Season (TOTS) cards from FC 25.
Squad Update Progression: Monitoring rating changes throughout FC 25’s lifecycle to identify EA’s recognition patterns.
Real-World Performance Data: Analyzing actual football statistics, transfer values, and professional achievements during the 2024/25 season.
Biggest Surprise: Arsenal’s Youth Revolution
Myles Lewis-Skelly: From Bronze to Gold (+19 Rating Jump)
The most shocking prediction involves Arsenal’s breakthrough left-back, who could experience the largest rating upgrade in EA FC 26 history. Lewis-Skelly’s transformation from a 58-rated bronze card to a potential 77-rated gold card represents the ultimate underdog story.
Why This Upgrade Makes Sense:
- Made his breakthrough as Arsenal’s first-choice left-back in 2024/25
- Ranks in the top 1% of all full-backs worldwide for completed short passes
- Already received individual TOTW and TOTS awards in FC 25
- His pace and versatility make him perfectly suited for Arsenal’s possession-based system
Ethan Nwaneri: The Next Arsenal Wonderkid (+11)
At just 18, Nwaneri is entering his fourth season with Arsenal and could jump from bronze to gold status. His exceptional dribbling ability places him in the top 1% of wingers globally.
The Striker Revolution: Goal Machines Getting Their Due
Omar Marmoush: Manchester City’s Winter Signing (+5)
Marmoush’s move to Manchester City in January 2025 caps off an incredible season that saw him earn multiple special cards in FC 25. With 42 goal involvements in 48 matches and the best average rating (8.16) in the Bundesliga before his transfer, his upgrade to 84 overall seems inevitable.
Hugo Ekitiké: Liverpool’s €95 Million Investment (+6)
After forming the Bundesliga’s deadliest striking partnership with Marmoush at Frankfurt, Ekitiké carried the team’s offense single-handedly following his partner’s departure. Liverpool’s massive investment suggests EA will reflect his value with a significant upgrade.
Key Stats Supporting the Upgrade:
- 34 goal involvements in 48 matches
- Top scorer for Eintracht Frankfurt with 23 Bundesliga goals
- Ranks in the top 5% of forwards worldwide in shooting and passing statistics
Defensive Powerhouses: The Next Generation
William Pacho: Europe’s Most Underrated Defender (+7)
Paris Saint-Germain’s Ecuadorian center-back formed one of Europe’s strongest defensive partnerships with Marquinhos. His statistics rival even Virgil van Dijk’s numbers:
- Ball Recovery: 4.3 per game (league) vs van Dijk’s 3.1
- Champions League Impact: 4.7 recoveries per game vs van Dijk’s 3.2
- Error Rate: Among the top 13% of center-backs worldwide
Joan García: Barcelona’s New Number One (+8)
The 24-year-old Spanish goalkeeper’s transfer to Barcelona for €24 million speaks volumes about his potential. García’s 7.49 prevented goals in 2024/25 dramatically outperforms Aston Villa’s Emiliano Martínez (1.16), making him one of Europe’s most exciting keepers.
The Creative Midfield Revolution
Rayan Cherki: Manchester City’s Playmaker (+6)
Cherki’s performance explosion during 2024/25 saw him nearly triple his goal involvement output. His two-footed ability and exceptional vision earned him recognition in the top 1% globally for assists, expected assists, and key passes.
Désiré Doué: PSG’s Finals Specialist (+7)
Despite being only 20, Doué has already proven himself in major finals with crucial performances in both the Champions League final (3 goal involvements) and French Cup final (2 goal involvements).
Hidden Gems That Could Define the Meta
Nick Woltemade: The Unique Giant (+9)
At 1.98m tall, Woltemade combines rare physical presence with exceptional ball-handling skills. Newcastle United’s €90 million investment suggests he could become one of FC 26’s most unique and effective strikers.
Mika Biereth: The Clinical Finisher (+10)
The Danish striker’s seamless transition from Austrian to French football showcased his adaptability. With 27 goals and 7 assists in 44 matches, his accuracy ranking in the top 1% globally makes him a potential Ultimate Team favorite.
What These Upgrades Mean for Ultimate Team
Early Game Meta: Players like Lewis-Skelly and Nwaneri could become essential budget options for starter squads, offering high-rated performance at accessible prices.
Investment Opportunities: Identifying these upgrades early could provide significant trading advantages when the market adjusts to new ratings.
Squad Building Revolution: The combination of pace, skills, and affordability in these upgraded cards could reshape traditional team-building strategies.
The Transfer Factor: Why Big Moves Matter
EA historically rewards major transfers with rating upgrades, recognizing that elite clubs wouldn’t invest heavily in underperforming players. The moves to Manchester City (Marmoush, Cherki), PSG (Pacho, Doué), Liverpool (Ekitiké), and Newcastle (Woltemade) all support our upgrade predictions.
Release Timeline and Confirmation
With EA FC 26’s official release approaching and early access beginning in September, these predictions will soon face the ultimate test. Some ratings have already been officially confirmed through the Ultimate Edition icons, but the full roster reveals remain eagerly anticipated.
For more EA FC 26 insights and Ultimate Team strategies, check out our Gaming Predictions section and explore our Football Gaming coverage for the latest updates.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How accurate are these EA FC26 rating predictions compared to previous years?
A: Our predictions are based on the same methodology EA Sports has consistently used: Ultimate Team performance (TOTW, POTM, TOTS awards), squad update progressions throughout FC 25, and real-world performance data including transfer values and statistics. Historical accuracy of similar prediction methods has been approximately 70-80% for the general direction of upgrades, though exact rating numbers can vary by 1-2 points. The most reliable indicators are players who received multiple special cards in FC 25 and made high-profile transfers, like Marmoush to Manchester City and Ekitiké to Liverpool for €95 million.
Q: Which predicted upgrades offer the best value for Ultimate Team starter squads in EA FC26?
A: The best budget options are likely Myles Lewis-Skelly (predicted 77 rating from 58) and Ethan Nwaneri (predicted 75 rating from 64), both Arsenal players jumping from bronze/silver to gold cards, making them accessible yet high-performing. Nick Woltemade (69 to 78) and Mika Biereth (68 to 78) could be excellent striker options with unique physical attributes and clinical finishing. For premium options, Joan García as Barcelona’s new goalkeeper (76 to 84) and William Pacho as PSG’s defender (78 to 85) offer exceptional value in crucial positions where upgrades make the biggest gameplay impact.
