EA FC 26 Squad Update (May 12): NEW Faces & Ratings!

Finally, a new squad update (May 12, 2026) for EA FC 26 is now available on all platforms: PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PC, and Nintendo Switch.

This one brings a mix of Real Faces, new ICONs for Player Career, a fresh batch of wonderkids, and some significant rating upgrades and downgrades that will shake up your Career Mode and Ultimate Team plans.

From Alireza Jahanbakhsh finally getting his scan to Zinedine Zidane becoming playable in Player Career, here’s everything you need to know.

EA FC 26 Squad Update

Added Players with Real Faces

Three players have received their authentic scans in this update, available immediately:

Alireza Jahanbakhsh: The Iranian winger (RM/LM/RW) now has his real face at FCV Dender EH in the Belgian 1A Pro League. Rated 69 OVR, he’s a useful addition for lower‑league or national team builds.

Brian Gutiérrez: The young Mexican attacking midfielder (CAM/CM/LM) joins the Mexico Men’s International team with a 72 OVR and a promising 82 POT. His real face is a win for CONCACAF fans.

Ken Sema: The Swedish winger (LM/RM/LW) gets his scan for the Sweden Men’s International team, rated 70 OVR.

Removed Players with Real Faces

• Islam Slimani (CFR Cluj) – The Algerian striker’s face has been removed.
• Ángel Correa (Argentina) – The forward’s real face is out of the game (but he return in FC 27).

Added Managers with Real Faces

Carlos Queiroz: The experienced Portuguese coach now has his real face as manager of Ghana’s Men’s International team. Perfect for World Cup mode immersion.

Removed Managers with Real Faces

• Liam Rosenior (Chelsea – Premier League)
• Sergio González (Cádiz CF – La Liga 2)

Added ICONs to Player Career

Three legendary names are now available to play as in Player Career mode:

• Zinedine Zidane: The French maestro, 94 OVR in your hands.
• Didier Drogba: The Ivorian powerhouse, ready to lead the line.
• Garrincha: The Brazilian genius, one of the greatest dribblers ever.

# Related

EA FC 26 Title Update v1.5.6: Bruiser Nerfed, Fixes & More

New Career Mode Wonderkids

Eleven fresh prospects with high potential have been added. Scout them immediately:

1. Jesse Derry
   • Chelsea (Premier League)
   • Position: RM | Age: 18
   • Rating/Potential: 68 / 85
   • Value/Wage: €3.1M / €26K
2. Jivayno Zinhagel
   • Feyenoord (Eredivisie)
   • Position: RM | Age: 16
   • Rating/Potential: 59 / 85
   • Value/Wage: €900K / €1K
3. Tiago Silva
   • FC Porto (Liga Portugal)
   • Position: CM | Age: 17
   • Rating/Potential: 63 / 84
   • Value/Wage: €1.5M / €2K
4. Besian Kutleshi
   • Melbourne City (A‑League)
   • Position: RB | Age: 16
   • Rating/Potential: 56 / 82
   • Value/Wage: €550K / €1K
5. Gonçalo Moreira
   • SL Benfica (Liga Portugal)
   • Position: CAM | Age: 19
   • Rating/Potential: 64 / 81
   • Value/Wage: €1.5M / €4K
6. Lisandro Duarte
   • Rosario Central (Liga Profesional)
   • Position: ST | Age: 17
   • Rating/Potential: 61 / 81
   • Value/Wage: €900K / €2K
7. Bara Sapoko Ndiaye
   • FC Bayern München (Bundesliga)
   • Position: CAM | Age: 17
   • Rating/Potential: 61 / 81
   • Value/Wage: €875K / €5K
8. Cruz Ibeh
   • Middlesbrough (EFL Championship)
   • Position: ST | Age: 16
   • Rating/Potential: 56/ 81
   • Value/Wage: €450K / €3K
9. Miguel Cubo
   • Atlético Madrid (La Liga)
   • Position: ST | Age: 17
   • Rating/Potential: 63 / 80
   • Value/Wage: €1.2M / €8K
10. Jim Koller
    • PSV Eindhoven (Eredivisie)
    • Position: RM | Age: 18
    • Rating/Potential: 60 / 80
    • Value/Wage: €675K / €2K
11. Ben Mahon
    • Shamrock Rovers (SSE Airtricity League)
    • Position: CAM | Age: 16
    • Rating/Potential: 58 / 80
    • Value/Wage: €650K / €500

Tell us in the comments which promising player would be on the bench for your team in your career mode journey.

Rating Upgrades

Several stars received well‑deserved boosts. Here are the most notable:

There are more players whose overall rating and potential have been upgraded that you can see in the game, but we have chosen the most important and requested ones for the public.

Rating Downgrades

Some established names have dropped. The biggest falls include:

There are more players whose overall rating and potential have been reduced based on their current performance, and you can see them in the game.

Final Whistle

The May 12 squad update is a solid mix of realism and gameplay balance. The addition of Jahanbakhsh and Brian Gutiérrez with real faces adds depth to Asian and CONCACAF teams.

Zidane, Drogba, and Garrincha in Player Career will make countless fans start a new journey.

The rating upgrades for PSG’s young core (Neves, Doué, Zaïre‑Emery) reflect their real‑life rise, while downgrades for Musiala, Osimhen, and Davies might change your transfer plans.

Eleven new wonderkids give Career Mode scouts plenty to do, and the return of Carlos Queiroz as a real‑face manager is a nice touch for international football fans.

Download the update now – and don’t forget to grab the latest Title Update to ensure all new content works properly. ReFIFA will keep tracking every change as we head toward the massive World Cup 2026 update in early June.