EA FC 26 is here, and it brings updated squads, refreshed ratings, and a lot of new mechanics and strategies to play around with. Whether you are gearing up to grind Ultimate Team or facing your friend in a classic 1v1 Kick-Off, your choice of team really matters.
As unfair as it sounds, not all teams are created equally. Some are just better than others in every aspect. While you can pick any team you want, these teams will give you the most advantage. So, here are the 10 best teams in EA FC 26 — the Crème de la crème of clubs.
1. Real Madrid (5 Stars)
- 88 ATT | 86 MID | 83 DEF
Real Madrid was the strongest team in EA FC 25, and they have gotten even better in 26. However, unlike last year, the competition has gotten much closer. Real Madrid doesn’t look as unbeatable as it did in the previous game. But, you still have to be very careful as their attacking ability is dangerous.
With 88 overall attack (the second highest in the game), it’s really hard to defend against Madrid when they get going. You have to deal with speed demons like Vinicius Jr. and Mbappe. Even if you managed to shut down their attack, keeping possession in the midfield is another hurdle. The midfield is bossed by Bellingham and Valverde. Finally, even if you get a good attack started, you have the final boss, Courtois, to deal with.
- Kylian Mbappé – 91 OVR
- Vinícius Jr – 90 OVR
- Jude Bellingham – 89 OVR
- Thibaut Courtois – 89 OVR
- Federico Valverde – 88 OVR
2. FC Barcelona (5 Stars)
- 85 ATT | 87 MID | 83 DEF
Barcelona in FC 26 has gotten much stronger. Barcelona has a mix of seasoned stars and young prodigies who already rank among the best in the world. Raphinha and Padri are both strong at the 90-overall mark, with the young prodigy Lamine Yamal sitting closely at 89. They are the second-best team in La Liga.
In terms of strengths, Barcelona thrives on possession football. Pedri and De Jong help keep a strong hold in the midfield. On the other hand, Yamal and Raphinha can help stretch the defense wide with pure pace and skill. Not to mention, Lewandowski’s clinical finishing is another threat to take care of.
EA FC 26 brought a major shift to the team dynamic. Before, Real Madrid was so overpowered (and still might be) that the only best shot you had of winning was with Man City. With Man City getting a nerf now, Barcelona is the next rival to take care of Madrid.
- Raphinha – 90 OVR
- Pedri – 90 OVR
- Lamine Yamal – 89 OVR
- Robert Lewandowski – 88 OVR
- Marc-André ter Stegen – 87 OVR
3. Manchester City (5 Stars)
- 85 ATT | 85 MID | 82 DEF
Man City was the closest rival to Madrid in EA FC 25, but they have gotten a bit nerfed in the new game. Even after the nerf, Man City is still one of the top three strongest teams in the game.
With Haaland as the lethal striker and a creative midfield of De Bruyne & Rodri, Man City can put a lot of pressure on the opponent team.
The passing consistency and overall possession are where Man City shines. The team suits build-up play, crossing, and through-balls. If you do a lot of passes and tiki-taka to build up an attack, Man City is a great choice for you.
- Erling Haaland – 90 OVR
- Rodri – 90 OVR.
- Gianluigi Donnarumma – 89 OVR
- Kevin De Bruyne – 89 OVR
- Bernardo Silva – 88 OVR
4. Bayern Munich (5 Stars)
- 89 ATT | 83 MID | 83 DEF
Now that we have covered the top 3 giants in FC 26, let’s move on to the other top teams. Bayern Munich remains one of the most dangerous and well-rounded teams in the game. They offer solid finishing, midfield intelligence, and high defensive reliability. It’s one of those teams that goes well with every playstyle. Of course, they are not as strong as the previous teams and lack 90+ overall-rated players, but their combined overall attack is the 89th highest in the game.
The team is balanced across all areas of the pitch. They can play possession football, press high, or counter quickly depending on your tactics.
For players who want a flexible squad that rewards both tactical play and individual skill, Bayern is a top-tier choice in FC 26.
- Harry Kane – 89 OVR
- Jamal Musiala – 88 OVR
- Joshua Kimmich – 88 OVR
- Jonathan Tah – 87 OVR
- Michael Olise – 86 OVR
5. Liverpool (5 Stars)
- 83 ATT | 85 MID | 84 DEF
After a strong 2024-2025 season, Liverpool has been rewarded with some very good ratings. The team features two 90+ rated players, Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk, keeping both the attack and the defense strong. Overall, they remain one of the more complete Premier League sides.
Liverpool has a top-tier attacking threat. Salah has the pace, the dribbling skill, and the scoring ability to help you score more goals. Then there is Van Dijk, who provides a stable centre-back presence and keeps the defense tight.
However, they do lack a good left flank, which can be a problem for some players. But, apart from that, the team is generally pretty good. Overall, if you want a team that can flex between being aggressive up front and solid at the back, Liverpool is a top choice this year.
- Mohamed Salah – 91 OVR
- Virgil van Dijk – 90 OVR
- Alisson Becker – 89 OVR
- Florian Wirtz – 89 OVR
- Alexander Isak – 88 OVR
6. Arsenal (5 Stars)
- 84 ATT | 85 MID | 83 DEF
Arsenal is another strong Premier League team with a very strong defense. They have a very strong defensive lineup and plenty of young stars ready to shine. They might not have as many 90+ players as the other top teams, but they still have a decently well-rounded team.
Arsenal’s biggest strength is its strong defensive spine. With Saliba and Gabriel at the back, and the midfield guarded by Rice, it’s tough to break through Arsenal’s defense. The attacking is fine, it’s nothing special. Arsenal severely lacks a good finisher among its top stars. Their attacks feel blunt against other teams with good defense.
- Bukayo Saka – 88 OVR
- Gabriel Magalhães – 88 OVR
- Declan Rice – 87 OVR
- William Saliba – 87 OVR
- Martin Ødegaard – 87 OVR
7. Paris SG (PSG) (5 Stars)
- 84 ATT | 86 MID | 85 DEF
PSG remain one of the most exciting teams to use in EA FC 26 thanks to their pace, flair, and high-rated stars. They’re a go-to club if you enjoy explosive attacking play and fast transitions.
Their star players, Dembélé and Hakimi, have incredible pace and allow for a lot of creative play on the wings. Vitniha acts as the anchor in the midfield, starting up attacks and also stopping plays from the opponent. In short, they have a very decent squad of 85+ rated players.
If you are playing with this team for the first time, I’d recommend going with the 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1 formation; they work great with this team.
- Ousmane Dembélé – 89 OVR
- Gianluigi Donnarumma – 88 OVR
- Achraf Hakimi – 88 OVR
- Vitinha – 88 OVR
- Marquinhos – 87 OVR
8. Atlético Madrid (5 stars)
- 85 ATT | 81 MID | 82 DEF
Atlético Madrid is one of the most well-structured teams in EA FC 26. Playing with Atlético Madrid is all about sticking to principled football. It’s a more measured and less flashy playstyle.
Firstly, they have Oblak, one of the best GKs in the game, who plays a core part in the team’s defense. Llorente and de Paul are flexible centers that keep the team glued together. Lastly, they have a strong forward line that mixes experience (Griezmann) with rising talent (Álvarez).
For players who prefer a balanced, tactical style rather than all-out attacking football, Atlético is a strong option.
- Jan Oblak – 88 OVR
- Julián Álvarez – 87 OVR
- Antoine Griezmann – 86 OVR
- Marcos Llorente – 84 OVR
- Rodrigo de Paul – 84 OVR
9. Leverkusen (4.5 stars)
- 81 ATT | 80 MID | 79 DEF
Leverkusen is one of the 4.5-star teams on this list, so they are obviously not as strong as the other teams, but are still among the top 10 FC 26 teams. Leverkusen’s biggest strength lies in their midfield creativity. They can start plays and keep good possession in the midfield. Unlike Arsenal, they have Schick, who is a reliable finisher. The team mainly centers around Xhaka and Palacios, dictating the tempo with Grimaldo opening up opportunities for attack.
In short, a balanced team with a strong midfield, but it lacks star players. If you play underdog in a match, pick this team.
- Patrik Schick – 85 OVR
- Granit Xhaka – 85 OVR
- Exequiel Palacios – 84 OVR
- Alejandro Grimaldo – 84 OVR
- Malik Tillman – 82 OVR
10. Aston Villa (4.5 stars)
- 84 ATT | 80 MID | 80 DEF
A lot of teams can easily fit the 10th place in this list, but Aston Villa is the best choice. Their recent growth is commendable, and they have been making great strides to be a better team. They combine attacking flair with defensive grit, making them a great pick if you want a competitive Premier League team outside the traditional “Big Six.”
Aston Villa is dangerous when it comes to counter-attacking, and as someone who prefers that kind of playstyle, Aston Villa is one of my favorite teams in EA FC 26. They have a solid squad of great players. Luiz is the midfield anchor that balances both sides, then you have Watkins and Diaby for the forward line. Lastly, on the defense, you have Torres, who is strong in the air, and Martínez’s shot-stopping power is unbelievable. Overall, a strong and well-balanced team built for counter-attacking plays.
- Emiliano Martínez – 86 OVR
- Moussa Diaby – 85 OVR
- Ollie Watkins – 84 OVR
- Pau Torres – 84 OVR
- Douglas Luiz – 83 OVR
