EA FC 26 Squad Update: NEW Faces, Transfers & More

A new squad update for EA FC 26 was released on January 7, 2026 for PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PC, Nintendo Switch 2 and Nintendo Switch.

This squad update focuses on presentation (real faces), roster accuracy (transfers), and Career Mode depth (wonderkids and icons).

Whether you are looking for the latest big-money transfers or searching for the next generation of talent to lead your club to glory, this update has something for everyone. Here is the full breakdown of what’s new on the pitch.

EA FC 26 Squad Update

ADDED Players with Real Faces

The squad update restores and adds a small group of recognizable players with fully scanned faces to improve immersion across leagues.

Thiago Silva

Thiago Silva (FC Porto – Liga Portugal) returns to the game as a composed centre-back whose game-reading and leadership are reflected in his steady 82 overall and matching potential — a reliable veteran presence at the heart of Porto’s defence.

Takehiro Tomiyasu

Takehiro Tomiyasu (Ajax – Eredivisie) is now represented with a real face and his noted versatility; usable at RB, LB or CB, Tomiyasu arrives rated 77 with a 78 potential and gives Ajax dependable fullback and cover options.

Fraser Forster

Fraser Forster (AFC Bournemouth – Premier League) appears with a proper likeness as an experienced goalkeeper; his 72 overall reflects a veteran shot-stopper ready to offer reliable presence between the posts.

Sam Morsy

Sam Morsy (Bristol City — EFL Championship) has been added with a real face as a defensive-minded midfielder (CDM / CM) carrying a 73 overall — a combative pivot useful for Championship rebuilds.

Taylor Richards

Taylor Richards (Crawley Town – EFL League Two) is now in game with a real face as a creative midfielder (CAM / CM) rated 64 with some upside (67 potential) for lower-league career saves.

Michael Olakigbe

Michael Olakigbe (Swindon Town – EFL League Two) receives a real face and is listed as a wide attacking option (RM / LM / RW) with a 61 overall and a notable 75 potential — one to track for development projects.

Brian Oliván

Brian Oliván (Sporting Gijón – LaLiga 2) is now face-scanned as a left-sided player (LB / LM) rated 71 — a useful, balanced option for promotion-chasing squads.

REMOVED Players with Real Faces

While we see new faces arrive, several players have been removed from the active squads due to transfers to unlicensed leagues or retirement.

EFL Championship

• Julián Carranza (Leicester City)

EFL League Two

• Harry Charsley (Oldham Athletic)

LaLiga

• Dani Rodríguez (RCD Mallorca)
• Salomón Rondón (Real Oviedo)

LaLiga 2

• Javi Sánchez (Real Valladolid)

Süper Lig

• Ömer Beyaz (Başakşehir FK)
• Serdar Gürler (Eyüpspor)
• Enzo Roco (Fatih Karagümrük)
• Berkan Kutlu (Galatasaray)

Scottish Premiership

• Scott Arfield (Falkirk)

Allsvenskan

• John Guidetti (AIK)
• Albin Ekdal (Djurgårdens IF)
• Gustav Svensson (IFK Göteborg)

Major League Soccer

• Brad Guzan (Atlanta United)
• Diego Rubio (Austin FC)
• Brian Gutiérrez (Chicago Fire)
• Omar González (Chicago Fire)
• Darlington Nagbe (Columbus Crew)
• Christian Benteke (DC United)
• Brad Smith (FC Cincinnati)
• Kei Kamara (FC Cincinnati)
• Sebastian Lletget (FC Dallas)
• Daniel Steres (Houston Dynamo)
• Franco Escobar (Houston Dynamo)
• Fafà Picault (Inter Miami)
• Eriq Zavaleta (LA Galaxy)
• Jaílson (Los Angeles FC)
• Bryan Acosta (Nashville SC)
• Teal Bunbury (Nashville SC)
• Carlos Coronel (New York Red Bulls)
• Johnny Russell (Real Salt Lake)
• Cristian Espinoza (San Jose Earthquakes)
• Josef Martínez (San Jose Earthquakes)
• Mark-Anthony Kaye (San Jose Earthquakes)
• Ryan Kent (Seattle Sounders)
• Erik Thommy (Sporting Kansas City)
• Joaquín (Sporting Kansas City)
• Khiry Shelton (Sporting Kansas City)
• Nemanja Radoja (Sporting Kansas City)
• Tim Leibold (Sporting Kansas City)
• Alfredo Morales (St. Louis CITY SC)
• Henry Kessler (St. Louis CITY SC)
• Kevin Long (Toronto FC)
• Sean Johnson (Toronto FC)

CONMEBOL Libertadores

• César Fuentes (Deportes Iquique)
• Pablo Aránguiz (Unión Española)

K League 1

• Jesse Lingard (FC Seoul)
• Yoon Bit Garam (Suwon FC)

# Related

EA FC 26 v1.4.0: Over 130 New Real Faces Added [Video]

REMOVED Managers with Real Faces

A few high-profile managers have also been removed from the dugout in this squad update:

1. Enzo Maresca (Chelsea)
2. Ruben Amorim (Manchester United)
3. Carlos Tevez (Talleres)
4. Rehanne Skinner (West Ham Women)

NEW Transfers

The squad squad update applies several confirmed transfers so in-game rosters reflect recent moves in the real transfer market.

• Pascal Groß: Borussia Dortmund → Brighton & Hove Albion
• Brennan Johnson: Tottenham Hotspur → Crystal Palace
• Taty Castellanos: Lazio → West Ham United
• Kai Wagner: Philadelphia Union → Birmingham City
• Javi Galán: Atlético Madrid → CA Osasuna
• Niclas Füllkrug: West Ham United → AC Milan
• Elye Wahi: Eintracht Frankfurt → OGC Nice
• Endrick: Real Madrid → Olympique Lyonnais
• Amadou Haidara: RB Leipzig → RC Lens
• Jakob Glesnes: Philadelphia Union → LA Galaxy
• Dayne St. Clair: Minnesota United → Inter Miami
• Walker Zimmerman: Nashville SC → Toronto FC

ADDED Career Mode Wonderkids

This squad update introduces a fresh batch of young talents with high ceilings, perfect for any long-term rebuild project.

1. Wael Mohya (Borussia Mönchengladbach)
   • Position: CAM | Age: 16
   • Rating/Potential: 68 / 85
   • Value/Wage: €2.1M / €5K
2. Alexander Staff (Eintracht Frankfurt)
   • Position: ST | Age: 17
   • Rating/Potential: 61 / 84
   • Value/Wage: €1M / €3K
3. Javier Fernández (FC Bayern München)
   • Position: CAM | Age: 18
   • Rating/Potential: 61 / 80
   • Value/Wage: €825K / €6K
4. Deniz Ofli (FC Bayern München)
   • Position: LB | Age: 18
   • Rating/Potential: 60 / 80
   • Value/Wage: €650K / €5K
5. Shea Lacey (Manchester United)
   • Position: LM | Age: 18
   • Rating/Potential: 65 / 84
   • Value/Wage: €1.8M / €14K
6. Alysson (Aston Villa)
   • Position: LM | Age: 19
   • Rating/Potential: 70 / 83
   • Value/Wage: €3.8M / €33K
7. Divine Mukasa (Manchester City)
   • Position: CAM | Age: 17
   • Rating/Potential: 65 / 83
   • Value/Wage: €1.8M / €13K
8. Bendito Mantato (Manchester United)
   • Position: LM | Age: 17
   • Rating/Potential: 61 / 82
   • Value/Wage: €1M / €8K
9. Jack Fletcher (Manchester United)
   • Position: CAM | Age: 18
   • Rating/Potential: 63 / 81
   • Value/Wage: €1.2M / €10K
10. Sean Neave (Newcastle United)
    • Position: ST | Age: 18
    • Rating/Potential: 59 / 81
    • Value/Wage: €725K / €10K
11. Leo Shahar (Newcastle United)
    • Position: RB | Age: 18
    • Rating/Potential: 58 / 80
    • Value/Wage: €625K / €8K
12. George Hemmings (Aston Villa)
    • Position: LM | Age: 18
    • Rating/Potential: 61 / 80
    • Value/Wage: €800K / €10K
13. Salvador Blopa (Sporting CP)
    • Position: RM | Age: 18
    • Rating/Potential: 67 / 82
    • Value/Wage: €2.4M / €5K
14. Flávio Gonçalves (Sporting CP)
    • Position: CAM | Age: 18
    • Rating/Potential: 63 / 81
    • Value/Wage: €1.2M / €3K
15. Jorge Cestero (Real Madrid)
    • Position: CM | Age: 19
    • Rating/Potential: 61 / 80
    • Value/Wage: €850K / €16K
16. Oliver Lukić (RB Salzburg)
    • Position: CAM | Age: 18
    • Rating/Potential: 62 / 80
    • Value/Wage: €1M / €3K
17. Chance Cowell (San Jose Earthquakes)
    • Position: CAM | Age: 16
    • Rating/Potential: 56 / 82
    • Value/Wage: €575K / €850

NEW ICONs for Player Career

Four classic Icons have been added to the Player Career ICON pool, expanding legendary choices for created-player journeys.

• Roberto Baggio
• Rivaldo
• Ruud Gullit
• Mia Hamm

NEW Rating Upgrades

Below you will find the top ten upgrades for players in this squad update:

Note that there are more rating adjustments for players and you can discover them in the game or on our YouTube channel and the popular website sofifa.

NEW Rating Downgrades

Below you will find the top ten downgrades for players in this squad update:

Note that there are more rating adjustments for players and you can discover them in the game or on our YouTube channel and the popular website sofifa.

The Jan 7 squad update focuses on improving presentation (real faces), keeping rosters current with transfers, and strengthening Career Mode with a notable youth intake.