In FM 26, finding wonderkids is simple if you look to Spain, Brazil, or England and throw $50 million around. However, true Football Manager gems are hidden in deeper pockets across the globe. Scouts are usually unable to find these gems, and that’s what makes it even more special. This time around, there’s no need to drown in scout reports, as the revamped recruitment system with its filters makes it a bit easier than ever to find underrated players.
If you know what regions are underrated, then you already have an edge. With this knowledge, you can easily take advantage of the recruitment system. The AI is becoming smarter at finding talent from high-reputation leagues, so your survival now depends on a diversified scouting network. Tag along as we look at some of the more underrated nations to scout, so you can have a unique lineup of players.
Colombia
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Colombia is often overlooked as it remains in the shadows of the South American giants, Argentina and Brazil. Argentina and Brazil both produce the highest volume of elite talent, but with that comes a hefty price tag as well. However, Colombian clubs have a lower reputation, and that means you can often get some really great talents for cheap.
The potential of these players is usually high, and they don’t cost much either, with an average price tag of $1-$3 million. You can find good wonderkids at clubs like Atlético Nacional, Millonarios, and Envigado. Players from Colombia typically have high determination and flair attributes, making them perfect for the samba playstyle without the Brazilian tax on them.
Serbia
Serbia, often termed the Balkan powerhouse, is the ultimate nation if you’re looking for players who are both physical and technically proficient. It’s not just in FM26; Serbia has been a talent house for a while in the previous Football Manager games as well. The nation is so good in terms of newgens that its youth rating often rivals top European nations.
Even though Serbia is on par with Europe, the price tags on players are shockingly low, which is ideal for anyone not looking to splurge huge amounts of cash. Clubs like FK Vojvodina and FK Čukarički are the place to look, but other clubs won’t disappoint either. For the best bargains, focus on the Serbian U19 and U21 national teams; you can pouch players on amateur contracts for mere compensation fees.
Australia
Australia is another notable nation with incredible talents available for bargain prices. Most people have a divided opinion of the talent in Australia, only because it’s not a South American country. However, Melbourne City is linked to the City Football Group, and that benefits the level of talent available in the game.
Both Melbourne City and Central Coast Mariners are clubs with the most talent available, but if you search hard enough, you can find wonderkids elsewhere. The most attractive thing about the talent in Australia is their affordable price, as you can often find players who are even cheaper than those in Colombia.
Ukraine
The level of experience you get with talent from Ukraine is better than most of the other underrated nations, as they regularly play European football. This does add a few extra thousand to their price tags, but it’s worth it with the quality they provide. Clubs like Shakhtar remain dominant in Ukraine and have provided plenty of young talent who play all around the world now.
Another notable club is Dynamo Kyiv, as they have some insane wonderkids and have also won European trophies in previous years. Both of these clubs rank as the top two for youth rating in the nation. Players are expensive, but they might just be what you need to take your club to League glory. The average price of players ranges from $9 million-$18 million.
South Africa
The new recruitment system has helped in seeking out new talent from South Africa. The nation has seen a boost in scoutability. It is the best nation if you’re looking for a player with raw, athletic talent with good pace and stamina. The players won’t be too expensive either, so again, you’re getting wonderkids for a bargain.
Mamelodi Sundowns and Kaizer Chiefs are some notable clubs that provide great talent. South Africa is the best place to look for wonderkids without having the wonderkid tax on their price tag. A thing to look out for is the Contract Tile in your Recruitment Hub, as players often let their contracts run down, which lets you buy them free of cost.
