The Campaign 1 of EA FC 26 kicks off the season with a trio of clear objectives: building a Player Squad aligned with the meta, completing a profitable SBC Solution from the earliest days, and quickly identifying the Best Performers to get ahead in Rivals and Champions. In this context, the economy fluctuates, Player Cards appreciate at the pace of packs, and SBC Challenges redistribute budgets. Thus, the gap rapidly widens between clubs that plan and those that react.
To clarify choices, the example of Horizon 92, a competitive fictional club managed by Leo, serves as a guiding thread. First, he locks in a reliable core with meta profiles; next, he secures key SBCs at controlled costs; finally, he finalizes his Team Strategy with targeted tactical adjustments. This simple and structured approach capitalizes on principles recognized in the FIFA community, without relying on a specific card. In practice, everything plays out in the details: the chemistry of a central triangle, the explosiveness of wingers, or the build-up of a “lengthy” center back. Thanks to these landmarks, FIFA Tips take on an operational dimension, useful from the first day of the market.
EA FC 26 – Campaign 1: reading the meta and decisive Player Squad selection
The start of Campaign 1 requires a quick reading of the EA FC 26 meta. Specifically, three archetypes dominate: athletic defenders with great wingspan, versatile midfielders with vertical passes, and explosive forwards strong in runs. Also, playstyles amplify these profiles and steer purchasing priorities.
Horizon 92 adopts a hybrid top league + complementary nation base to maintain liquidity. Then, the club fills each position with a clear role: strong stopper, projecting full-back, box-to-box midfielder, central creator, finisher, and outlet winger. This granularity avoids redundancies and stabilizes performance from the first matches.
- Stopper: height, strength, aerial skill, tackles.
- CAM: short passing, vision, finesse shooting, balance.
- Striker: runs, finishing, weak foot usable, composure.
At the start of the season, value lies in complementarity: a fast winger loses impact without a midfielder able to play vertically. Thus, the Player Squad benefits from being constructed by tactical pairs.
Starting budget (≈100k): reliable core without overpaying
With a small budget, the goal is to set a performing backbone. First, prioritize two complementary center backs: one fast to cover, one strong to dominate duels. Next, choose a ball-winning midfielder suited to short build-up, paired with a more creative relay. Finally, slot in a mobile forward with decent weak foot to bypass low blocks.
Leo builds two chemical triangles nation/league with low competition, which limits sudden price spikes. This approach keeps resale easy, essential during the first pack cycles. Overall, a coherent base maximizes each credit invested.
To secure online rhythm, moderate width and pressing triggered only after turnover stabilize the structure. Above all, keeping quick substitutes to break the opponent’s tempo remains decisive.
Intermediate budget (≈300–500k): enhancing strengths
The next tier targets quality boosts: more complete full-backs, highly reactive creative CAM, and a strong 1v1 goalkeeper. Additionally, adding a unique-profile supersub (extreme pace or powerful shot) unlocks tight finishes.
Horizon 92 invests where marginal impact is greatest: weak positions identified by match data (missed tackles, lost xThreat, pressured shots). This prioritization avoids “comfort” upgrades with little visible impact. At this stage, every credit must count.
SBC Solution: proven methods and cost control
SBC Challenges structure the economy of Campaign 1. Early game, aiming for a generic, reusable, and low price-sensitivity SBC Solution saves credits. The chemistry points system favors nation/league/club blocks; the trick is to build two mini-clusters linked by a common pivot.
- Identify requirements (rating, chemistry, rares, minimum countries/leagues).
- Compose two inexpensive clusters (e.g., Liga Portugal triangle + Eredivisie triangle).
- Create a bi-link pivot (same nation, compatible league) to connect the sets.
- Adjust rating with one or two higher-rated, non-meta players to reduce cost.
- Submit off-peak (late local night) to avoid price spikes.
Example from Horizon 92: a hybrid “Leagues and Nations” SBC is secured using low-demand combinations, limiting price variations. Then, the club sells surplus during a pack opening window to smooth the budget. This cycle often self-finances after two or three challenges.
Also watch for thematic pack releases during Campaign 1: they create low-price buying windows, ideal to complete costly SBCs without overspending.
Traps to avoid and market timing
Artificial scarcity constraints inflate some key positions. Therefore, avoid nations with sudden hype and prefer secondary leagues to limit risk. Moreover, monitoring hourly curves reveals regular dips after major rewards.
In practice, never lock a SBC Solution on a single card: plan two compatible substitutes per critical requirement. Lastly, documenting purchases in a simple personal table helps spot price drifts.
Best Performers: profiles and indicators to target from Campaign 1
Best Performers share constants: exploitable speed in the first 20 meters, balance/control to chain moves, and composure under pressure finishing. Also, useful traits (finesse, outside foot, long passes) amplify impact without costing a fortune.
Leo evaluates his attackers via three simple metrics: goals + assists per 90, shots on target/90, and xG on big chances. Then, he compares these figures to shooting zones (half-space vs central axis) to adjust runs. This reading refines the choice of Player Cards to upgrade.
- Winger: short acceleration, quick cut, driven cross.
- Box-to-box: stamina, interception, vertical pass.
- CB: leap, leg reach, calm in duel.
A striker without a weak foot becomes predictable against compact blocks. Conversely, a precise CAM under pressure unlocks a closed match with a single pass.
Team strategy: tactical settings that convert superiority
Horizon 92’s Team Strategy favors a narrow 4-3-2-1 to attack half-spaces. Defensively, width 47 and depth 60 ensure a compact yet proactive line. Offensively, balanced build-up with direct passes to feed runs.
Key instructions: full-backs “Stay back while attacking” if the opponent counters fast, else “Balanced”; CDM “Stay back”; CM left “Get forward,” free positioning “Free” for CAM. Finally, pressing after possession loss at 7–8 seconds disrupts opponent breakouts without draining stamina.
These settings create advantages in the 14 area and multiply high-value shots. The edge accumulates minute by minute.
Concrete FIFA tips to accelerate progress in Campaign 1
A daily plan avoids wandering. First, two brief Rivals sessions improve positioning and generate regular rewards. Then, a targeted buy-resell cycle on under-supplied positions completes the SBC budget. In parallel, basic objectives unlock source packs.
- Open “free” packs only during peak influx periods to maximize liquidity.
- Prioritize recyclable SBCs that produce sellable duplicates.
- Test defensive settings in Friendly Matches before committing in Champions.
- Isolate a “pivot” card per line to structure chemistry.
- Schedule 10 minutes of skill moves training to secure 1v1s.
This routine transforms an okay team into a competitive squad. The gain is visible on the scoreboard and on the market.
How to prioritize the Player Squad without making mistakes?
Start from the axis (CB–CDM–CAM) then add pace on the flanks. Target complementary profiles and avoid role duplicates. Measure impact per position via match statistics before buying an upgrade.
Which SBC Solution works for most hybrid challenges?
Two inexpensive mini-clusters (secondary leagues) linked by a common pivot of the same nation. Then adjust the overall rating with 1–2 non-meta cards. Submit off-peak to reduce cost.
When to open packs during EA FC 26 Campaign 1?
Favor peak influx windows (thematic releases, major rewards). Market liquidity improves, prices stabilize, and resale becomes smoother.
What indicators distinguish the best offensive performers?
Goals+assists/90, shots on target/90, xG on big chances, and shooting zones. Coupled with traits (finesse, outside foot) and weak foot, they predict consistency.
What quick tactical settings secure the defense?
Width 45–50, depth 55–62, CDM on ‘Stay back’. Activate pressing after loss on a short window and limit full-back advancement depending on the opponent.