Oh, the beautiful annual tradition is back: EA Sports drops a fresh batch of virtual player ratings and the football internet briefly transforms into a courtroom drama, complete with tears, rage, and the occasional pitchfork meme. This time around, we’re looking at EA Sports FC 26, which by now you’ve probably already sunk 200 hours into since it launched on September 26th (clever, EA). But just in case you missed the pre-release hype, let’s rewind a moment and savour the Premier League and WSL top 26 ratings reveal like a fine vintage cheese — slightly salty and full of hot takes.
The Liverpool Love-in (and Arsenal’s 7-strong rebuttal)
Last season’s Premier League was basically Liverpool parading the trophy around while everyone else argued about VAR. EA took one look at that red-wave and said, “Eight players in the top 26? Yeah, sounds about right.” The Merseyside machine is so well-oiled I half expect their virtual players to come pre-slathered in motor oil. It’s a squad depth flex of the highest order — every UT sweatlord’s dream, assuming you can afford their cards. Arsenal fans, though, are not without ammunition: seven Gunners made the cut, just one short. That’s enough firepower to make the North London derby in-game feel like a glitchy fever dream where every flick is a five-star skill move.
Man City’s Changing of the Guard
The Etihad feels like a farewell party where half the guests have already left for other venues. Club legends have moved on, and EA’s ratings reflect that awkward transition. Rodri and Rúben Dias both caught downgrades — ouch, even the Ballon d’Or halo can’t save you from the ratings council. The silver lining? New faces Gianluigi Donnarumma and Tijjani Reijnders arrive with shiny cards, ready to rebuild the midfield-god meta. Only five City players made the list, which for a club that’s been hoovering up titles feels almost like a crisis. Almost.
The Midfield Melange: Newcastle, Chelsea & Tielemans
Newcastle and Chelsea each boast two midfield maestros in the elite 26. I won’t spoil who, but let’s just say the Magpies’ engine room could out-muscle a freight train, and Chelsea’s pair might just be the reason I finally stop rage-quitting when their high press eats my backline alive. Meanwhile, Youri Tielemans casually strolls in for Aston Villa like he’s popping to the shops — a deserved nod after a season of being quietly brilliant. And then there’s Bruno Fernandes. Dear, sweet Bruno. The last representative of Manchester United, standing alone in the top 26 like the final biscuit in a tin. A vestigial reminder that, yes, United used to be relevant. He keeps the red flag flying, probably while muttering Portuguese expletives at his defensive line.
WSL: Chelsea’s Depth Charge vs Arsenal’s Star Power
Switching to the Women’s Super League, things get spicy. Arsenal? They’ve got three of the top five players. That’s star power you’d normally need a telescope to see. It’s a direct rebuke to last season’s narrative and a warning shot for the new campaign. But Chelsea — six-time league winners — counter with overwhelming squad depth: eleven of the 26 highest-rated WSL players wear blue. They even shrugged off injury-hit downgrades for Sam Kerr and Lauren James like it was nothing. Imagine having that much talent that you can downgrade two superstars and still flood the elite list. It’s the football equivalent of showing up to a knife fight with a tactical nuke.
New additions are juicy, too. Grace Geyoro lands in the Ultimate Team scene after swapping PSG for London City Lionesses. The catch? She no longer links with male PSG players. Hybrid squad builders everywhere just let out a collective groan. And Naomi Girma — the first women’s player to break the $1 million transfer barrier — brings her defensive steel to Chelsea. Her card will probably be so good it needs its own health warning.
Global Giants and the Yamal Rocket
The Premier League and WSL reveals are only part of the puzzle. Earlier in the week, EA unleashed the top 26 male and female players from every league on the planet. Lamine Yamal, the teenage sensation, skyrocketed with a +8 upgrade. That’s less of a boost and more of a cheat code — I’m already practicing his body feints to annoy my friends. Meanwhile, the throne is shared by two kings: Mo Salah and Kylian Mbappé. One destroys defences with velocity, the other with velociraptor-like efficiency. Pick your poison.
Icons incoming (Zlatan, Iniesta, Totti — need I say more?)
The full FC 26 database goes live on September 12th, but the real headline for nostalgic souls is the new Icon roster. Zlatan Ibrahimović. Andrés Iniesta. Francesco Totti. Three legends whose mere presence will make your Ultimate Team feel like a football museum — except the exhibits can still bang in 30-yard volleys. I’m already building a squad around Zlatan, fully aware that he’ll likely demand a statue in-game by halftime.
So there you have it. Whether you’re building a Liverpool-army squad, praying for a Bruno Fernandes TOTW just to keep United on life support, or scheming WSL hybrid links that no sane person should attempt, FC 26’s ratings set the stage for another year of glorious digital chaos. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to hunt down that Yamal card before his price hits orbit. 🚀