The first wave of Player of the Month (POTM) cards has arrived in EA FC 26, bringing a fresh batch of upgraded superstars to Ultimate Team. These special cards, awarded to the best performers from Europe's top leagues, are up for grabs through Squad Building Challenges (SBCs). But with hefty price tags and varying upgrades, the big question on every manager's mind is: are they truly worth the investment? Let's dive into the stats, the SBC requirements, and the ultimate value verdict for each September 2025 POTM star.
⚽ What is POTM?
The Player of the Month program is a staple of Ultimate Team. Each month, the standout performers from major leagues receive exclusive, upgraded cards. These upgrades can be a game-changer, affecting:
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Overall Rating 📈
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Key In-Game Stats
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Preferred Positions
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PlayStyles & PlayStyles+ (The new meta-defining abilities!)
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Weak Foot & Skill Move Ratings
However, the scale of the upgrade isn't uniform. It's like trying to polish a diamond versus a gemstone; the higher the quality of the base card, the more subtle the final shine tends to be. You can even cast your vote each month on the official EA Sports POTM page!
🎯 How to Get POTM Cards
These coveted players are untradeable SBCs, found under the "All" or "Pro" tabs in the SBC menu. You can only complete each one once. The requirements act like a financial gatekeeper—the more powerful the card, the steeper the squad-building fee.
Now, let's break down the first five POTM heroes of FC 26 and see who makes the cut for your ultimate squad.
🇳🇴 Erling Haaland (Premier League POTM)
Performance: The Norwegian cyborg was in ruthless form, netting 5 goals and 1 assist in just 3 September matches. That's a direct goal involvement rate of 2 per game!
SBC Available Until: November 5, 2025.
💎 Is He Worth It?
The stat boosts are incremental, but the new PlayStyle+ Strength is the real headline. This turns Haaland into an immovable object in the box, a freight train that's nearly impossible to derail in physical duels. However, in a meta currently dominated by small, agile dribblers, his style can feel like a classic muscle car in an electric vehicle race—powerful but not always the perfect fit.
Verdict: Test his Gold card first. At nearly 600,000 coins cheaper on the transfer market (and tradeable!), it's a far more economical way to harness his power.
🏴 Harry Kane (Bundesliga POTM)
Performance: The Bayern Munich marksman was on fire with 7 goals and 1 assist across 3 games in September 2025—over 2 goal contributions per match.
SBC Available Until: November 5, 2025.
💎 Is He Worth It?
A noticeable speed upgrade and the coveted Flatter Shot PlayStyle+ (a meta-friendly upgrade over his Gold card's Curled Shot) make this card tempting. Yet, there's a catch: his 90-rated TOTW card offers almost identical boosts and comes with the crucial Pass+ PlayStyle, which might suit the current passing-focused meta better.
Verdict: Try the TOTW Kane (90) first. Priced around 125,000 coins, it's about 60,000 coins cheaper than the SBC's estimated cost and, crucially, is a tradeable asset.
🇺🇸 Christian Pulisic (Serie A POTM)
Performance: "Captain America" dazzled for AC Milan, contributing 3 goals and 2 assists in 3 games (over 1.6 goal involvements per match).
SBC Available Until: November 5, 2025.
💎 Is He Worth It?
The jump from 84 to 87 OVR is significant this early in FC 26, propelling him into the top 20 wingers by Meta rating. The new False 9++ Role also adds tactical flexibility, allowing him to operate centrally. Like Kane, however, a nearly equivalent TOTW Pulisic card exists.
Verdict: The TOTW card, at roughly 175,000 coins, is about 150,000 coins less than the SBC's cost and remains tradeable. Give it a test drive first.
🇫🇷 Kylian Mbappé (LaLiga EA Sports POTM)
Performance: The French phenom delivered 4 goals and 1 assist in 4 September appearances.
SBC Available Until: October 31, 2025.
💎 Is He Worth It?
Short answer: No. The upgrades are microscopic. While Frenzy+ is a nice addition, it's like putting a custom paint job on a hypercar—it looks cool but doesn't justify the astronomical price hike. The SBC costs a staggering ~4.2 million coins, making it a luxury only for the ultra-rich. For everyone else, his already-exceptional Gold card remains the king.
🇧🇷 Luany (Liga F POTM)
Performance: The Atlético Madrid forward impressed with 3 goals and 1 assist in 4 games (1 goal involvement per match).
SBC Available Until: November 2, 2025.
💎 Is She Worth It?
Luany received the most substantial upgrade of all September POTMs. However, at roughly 64,000 coins for an 85-rated card, the value is questionable. Her true niche could be in Live Tournaments, where her rating perfectly fits common requirements (e.g., max one 86-rated player). If you have spare 83/84-rated fodder, she might be a savvy, niche pick-up.
📊 Final Verdict & Meta Tips
| Player | League | Worth the SBC? | Better Alternative |
|---|---|---|---|
| Erling Haaland | Premier League | ❌ No | His Tradeable Gold Card |
| Harry Kane | Bundesliga | ❌ Probably Not | His 90 OVR TOTW Card |
| Christian Pulisic | Serie A | ⚠️ Situational | His TOTW Card (Test First) |
| Kylian Mbappé | LaLiga | ❌❌ Absolutely Not | His Gold Card (No Contest) |
| Luany | Liga F | ⚠️ For Tournament Niche | Use Club Fodder if Possible |
Pro Tip: Before sinking coins into any untradeable SBC, always check for existing tradeable special cards (like TOTW). They often offer similar performance for a fraction of the cost and give you the flexibility to sell later. Remember, the most OP card isn't always the shiniest one—sometimes it's the 70,000-coin gem that seamlessly slots into any meta team.
All price comparisons are based on market data as of October 2025. Stay tuned, as we'll update this guide as soon as new POTM stars are released! 🚀