EA FC 26 Future Stars Promo Launches with Major Evolution Update
As the Team of the Year promotion concludes in EA Sports FC 26, players are eagerly anticipating the arrival of the annual Future Stars event. This highly anticipated promo, which debuted in FIFA 19, celebrates the brightest young talents in world football with boosted player cards that reflect their potential in Career Mode.
Leaked Future Stars Team 1 Line-up and Ratings
Team 1 of the Future Stars promo is scheduled to release at 6pm tonight, Friday, January 30, and is expected to feature approximately 25 players, along with five Icons and four Heroes. According to reliable leakers, the initial team will include several standout performers with impressive overall ratings.
The leaked Future Stars Team 1 reportedly features:
- Estevao (Chelsea) - 91 rated RM
- Desire Doue (PSG) - 91 rated RW
- Nick Woltemade (Newcastle) - 90 rated ST
- Alvaro Carreras (Real Madrid) - 90 rated LB
- Jade Le Guilly (PSG) - 89 rated RB
- Francisco Conceicao (Juventus) - 89 rated RM
- Diego Luna (Real Salt Lake) - 89 rated LM
- Michelle Agyemang (Brighton) - 89 rated ST
- Senne Lammens (Manchester United) - 88 rated GK
- Eduardo Quaresma (Sporting) - 88 rated CB
- Valentin Barco (Strasbourg) - 88 rated LB
- Nico O'Reilly (Manchester City) - 88 rated LB
- Rodrigo Mora (Porto) - 88 rated CAM
- Mateus Mane (Wolves) - 88 rated ST
EA Sports has officially confirmed the inclusion of two new Heroes in the promo, celebrating the early promise shown by Premier League legends. Former Arsenal and Chelsea midfielder Cesc Fabregas arrives with a 91 overall rating, while Manchester City icon Micah Richards features with an 89 overall rating. Richards is expected to be available through a Squad Building Challenge.
Future Stars Academy Evolution System Explained
The Future Stars Academy makes a welcome return this year, offering players the opportunity to upgrade specific cards through completed objectives. Originally introduced in FIFA 19, this feature has evolved significantly since the implementation of the Evolutions system in FC, moving from simple attribute upgrades to more sophisticated customisation options.
Insiders suggest that players will receive a pack containing 11 players, from which they can select one to progress through the Academy Evolution. Although specific details about the Evolution process and the Starting XI Academy Pack remain limited, leakers indicate that the final upgraded card will include two Playstyle+ attributes and will transform into a Future Stars Icon card.
This system builds upon last year's successful implementation in FC 25, where players could upgrade one of 15 selected players into Future Stars Icon cards with custom Playstyle+ selections and alternative position options.
Icon Swaps Programme Returns with Premium Rewards
EA Sports has confirmed the return of the popular Icon Swaps programme, launching simultaneously with the Future Stars promo at 6pm tonight. According to the official FC26 website, players can complete themed Objectives to earn Tokens, which can then be exchanged through Squad Building Challenges for select ICONs, Packs, and Evolutions.
The initial phase of the Icon Swaps programme will offer 10 Tokens for players to collect from January 30 onwards. While EA Sports has kept specific details under wraps, leakers have suggested several high-profile players who might be unlockable through this system:
- Ronaldo - 94 rated ST
- Gianluigi Buffon - 92 rated GK
- Rio Ferdinand - 92 rated CB
- Eric Cantona - 92 rated ST
- Hristo Stoichkov - 91 rated ST
- Gianluca Zambrotta - 90 rated RB
- Xabi Alonso - 89 rated CDM
Additional Squad Building Challenges are expected for several other promising young talents, including Yan Diomande of RB Leipzig (89 rated RW), Patrick Dorgu of Manchester United (89 rated LM), and Kika Nazareth of FC Barcelona (88 rated LW). Other players rumoured to feature throughout the promo include Adam Wharton, Antonio Nusa, and Grace Clinton.
The Future Stars promo continues EA Sports FC 26's commitment to celebrating football's emerging talents while providing engaging new gameplay mechanics through the Evolution system and rewarding programmes like Icon Swaps.
