EA FC 26 Squad Update (Apr 9): New Manager & 14 Real Faces

EA FC 26 received a new squad update on April 9 across all platforms, including PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PC, and Nintendo Switch.

This update brings a mix of new real faces, a new manager, updated national team rosters, Career Mode wonderkids, and a long list of rating upgrades and downgrades.

For players who follow squad updates closely, this is another important refresh that helps EA FC 26 feel more current and closer to the real football world. Let’s break down everything new.

EA FC 26 Squad Update

Added Players with Real Faces

One of the biggest parts of this update is the addition of 14 new players with real faces. EA FC 26 now includes several fresh face scans and updated visuals, with names added across international football, Europe, MLS, and CONMEBOL Libertadores.

• Ángel Correa (Argentina – Men’s International)
• Yeray Álvarez (Athletic Club – LA LIGA)
• Lucas Pérez (Cádiz CF – LA LIGA 2)
• Diego Fagúndez (New England Revolution – Major League Soccer)
• Mateo Klimowicz (Cerro Porteño – CONMEBOL Libertadores)
• Santiago Mosquera (Cerro Porteño – CONMEBOL Libertadores)
• Carlos González (Independiente del Valle – CONMEBOL Libertadores)
• Matías Rojas (Libertad – CONMEBOL Libertadores)
• Abel Hernández (Peñarol – CONMEBOL Libertadores)
• Eric Remedi (Peñarol – CONMEBOL Libertadores)
• Franco Escobar (Peñarol – CONMEBOL Libertadores)
• Leonardo Fernández (Peñarol – CONMEBOL Libertadores)
• Maxi Gomez (Nacional – CONMEBOL Libertadores)
• Nicolás Lodeiro (Nacional – CONMEBOL Libertadores)

ReFIFA was the first YouTuber to report the addition of these players weeks ago – always doing our best for you.

Removed Players with Real Faces

There was also one removal from the real faces list:

• Fredrik Jensen – Finland Men’s International

The reason for the deletion is that he joined an unlicensed team in the game.

Added Manager with Real Face

Another important addition in this squad update is a new manager with a real face:

• Roberto De Zerbi (Tottenham Hotspur – Premier League)

The Italian tactician finally has his proper likeness in the game, now leading Spurs. ReFIFA was also first to report this addition.

Updated National Team Rosters

EA FC 26 also received updated national team rosters in this squad update.

• Argentina
  • Added: Ángel Correa, Máximo Perrone, Juan Musso
  • Removed: Valentin Castellanos, Lisandro Martínez, Walter Benítez
• Spain
  • Added: Joan García
  • Removed: Álex Remiro
• Sweden
  • Added: Roony Bardghji, Mattias Svanberg, Williot Swedberg, Gustaf Nilsson
  • Removed: Isac Lidberg, Emil Krafth, Emil Holm, Dejan Kulusevski

New Career Mode Wonderkids

Six young prospects with solid potential are now available for scouting, mostly from South America:

# Related

EA FC 26 Title Update v1.5.3: New Faces, Boots, Balls & More

1. Agustín Dos Santos (Nacional)
   • Position: CAM | Age: 17
   • Rating/Potential: 62 / 85
   • Value/Wage: €1.2M / €3K
2. Luis Angulo (Peñarol)
   • Position: CAM | Age: 21
   • Rating/Potential: 71 / 82
   • Value/Wage: €4.2M / €14K
3. Nahuel Herrera (Peñarol)
   • Position: CB | Age: 20
   • Rating/Potential: 72 / 81
   • Value/Wage: €4.8M / €15K
4. Carlos Franco (Cerro Porteño)
   • Position: RM | Age: 17
   • Rating/Potential: 60 / 80
   • Value/Wage: €675K / €2K
5. Tarık Buğra Kalpaklı (Fatih Karagümrük)
   • Position: RM | Age: 16
   • Rating/Potential: 57 / 80
   • Value/Wage: €525K / €1K
6. Taufik Seidu (Atlético Madrid)
   • Position: CAM | Age: 17
   • Rating/Potential: 60 / 79
   • Value/Wage: €600K / €4K

Tell us in the comments which of these players will be on your bench and whom you hope to develop well.

New ICONs

Five new ICONs are now available to select in EA FC 26 Player Career Mode.

• Ruud van Nistelrooy
• Toni Kroos
• Homare Sawa
• Juan Sebastián Verón
• Robin van Persie

We all want to play with these legends. They are definitely the origin and creators of football.

Rating Upgrades

Several players received well-deserved boosts, with Pau Cubarsí and Federico Valverde leading the way:

For players who care about Overall Rating, Potential, and Career Mode development, these updates can make a real difference when building squads, scouting transfers, or planning long-term saves.

There are more players whose ratings have increased, but we have only included the top ten players for you, and you can see all the players on the SoFIFA website.

Rating Downgrades

Several players – particularly from Tottenham Hotspur – saw decreases:

These downgrades are part of the normal squad update cycle, but they still matter for players tracking ratings, and potential in Career Mode.

There are more players whose ratings have decreased, but we have limited ourselves to the top ten players only, and you can see all the players on the SoFIFA website.

Final Whistle

The April 9 Squad Update continues EA’s commitment to authenticity, especially in South American football.

The addition of Peñarol’s quartet (Abel Hernández, Eric Remedi, Franco Escobar, Leonardo Fernández) and Nacional’s duo (Maxi Gómez, Nicolás Lodeiro) makes CONMEBOL Libertadores Career Mode saves far more immersive.

Roberto De Zerbi finally has his real face at Tottenham, and Ángel Correa joins the Argentina squad with a proper scan.

On the ratings front, Federico Valverde and Pau Cubarsí are the big winners, while Tottenham’s core – van de Ven, Romero, Palhinha, Vicario, and Gallagher – all took hits.

For Career Mode enthusiasts, the six new wonderkids – especially the South American talents – are worth scouting immediately.

Download the squad update now, and as always, ReFIFA will keep you covered on everything EA FC 26.