Evolutions have returned in EA FC 26, with the devs promising more varied upgrades and more cosmetic EVOs than ever before. The game’s slower curve is all set to increase the importance of Evolutions as well, since special players will now be in limited supply. With all that said, picking the best players to upgrade and deciding their optimal paths is always a bit tricky. So, we’ve put together the best EA FC 26 Evolution players in this guide.
Best FC 26 Evolution Players
Below, you’ll find details on every active EA FC 26 Evolution, including our recommendations for the best players to upgrade. As more and more EVOs are introduced to the game, we’ll keep updating this article with every new Evolution and the most meta fits for them.
Intro to Evolutions
Intro to Evolutions is EA FC 26’s starter EVO, which essentially reintroduces players to the feature while offering some minor upgrades, including +1 OVR, +1 Pace, and +1 Shooting. The Evolution expires on September 30.
Requirements
- Excluded Rarity: Special Player Items
- Overall: Maximum 81
Best Players to Upgrade
- Randal Kolo Muani (Tottenham Hotspur)
- Lucas Bergvall (Tottenham Hotspur)
- Marcus Rashford (Manchester United)
- Christopher Nkunku (Milano FC)
- Rayan Cherki (Manchester City)
- Nicolas Jackson (Bayern Munich)
- Paul Pogba (Monaco)
- Estevao (Chelsea)
Intro to Rewards
The Intro to Rewards Evo is tied to the Venturing Out Objective, which you’ll have to complete to unlock the Transfer Market. To access the Evolution itself, you’ll need to play through three Rush matches. Fortunately, the reward for all that effort is a decent set of upgrades, including +1 Overall, +4 Long Shots, +4 Dribbling, +4 Long Pass, and more. The Evo will expire on September 19, 2026, meaning it’ll be available for the entirety of FC 26’s life cycle.
Requirements
- Excluded Rarity: Special Item
- Overall: Max. 82
- Pace: Max. 84
Challenges
- Level 1:
- Play 1 match in any mode using your active EVO player in-game.
- Level 2:
- Play 1 match in any mode using your active EVO player in-game.
Best Players to Upgrade
- Benjamin Sesko (Manchester United)
- Raya Cherki (Manchester City)
- Dean Hujsen (Real Madrid)
- Paul Pogba (Monaco)
- Joelinton (Newcastle United)
- Jurrien Timber (Arsenal)
- Morgan Rogers (Aston Villa)
- Kai Havertz (Arsenal)
- Angel Di Maria (Rosario Central)
- Ederson (Bergamo Calcio)
Rising Guard
The first bit of FC 26 ‘Friday content’ (as the community likes to call it) brought the Rising Guard Evolution with it. The upgrades on offer are humble to say the least, with fully evolved players receiving +1 Defence. Fortunately, there are no challenges associated with it, and the Evo expires on October 10.
Requirements
- Excluded Rarity: World Tour Silver Stars
- Overall: Max. 82
Best Players to Upgrade
- Ruben Loftus-Cheek (Milano FC)
- Warren Zaire-Emery (PSG)
- Paul Pogba (Monaco)
- Matteo Guendouzi (Latium)
- Dean Hujsen (Real Madrid)
- Manuel Akanji (Manchester City)
- Otavio (Al Qadisiyah)
- Pau Cubarsi (Barcelona)
Cover Athlete
The Cover Athlete Evo offers a significant boost to CAMs, provided you have the funds to afford it. The Evolution costs 30,000 coins or 500 FC Points, and its upgrades include +2 OVR, +2 Long Pass, +4 Vision, +4 Ball Control, and +2 Pace. It expires on October 5.
Requirements
- Excluded Rarity: World Tour Silver Stars
- Max Positions: 3
- Position: CAM
- Max PlayStyles: 5
- Pace: Max. 86
Challenges
- Level 1
- Play 3 matches in Squad Battles on min. Semi-Pro difficulty (or Rush/Rivals/Champions/Live Events) using your active EVO Player in-game.
- Level 2
- Win 3 matches in Squad Battles on min. Semi-Pro difficulty (or Rush/Rivals/Champions/Live Events) using your active EVO Player in-game.
- Level 3
- Win 2 matches in Squad Battles on min. Semi-Pro difficulty (or Rush/Rivals/Champions/Live Events) using your active EVO Player in-game.
- Play 2 matches in Squad Battles on min. Semi-Pro difficulty (or Rush/Rivals/Champions/Live Events) using your active EVO Player in-game.
Best Players to Upgrade
- Dominik Szbozlai (Liverpool)
- Ayoze Perez (Villareal)
- Adrien Rabiot (Milano FC)
- Matheus Cunha (Manchester United)
- Catarina Macario (Chelsea)
- Paul Pogba (Monaco)
- Dejan Kulusevski (Tottenham Hotspur)
- Hugo Ekitike (Liverpool)
Striker’s Rise
Striker’s Rise is the first major Evo that turns silver rarity players into usable gold cards. The vast range of upgrades on offer includes +15 OVR, +15 Shot, +10 Passing, +10 Dribbling, +15 Sprint Speed, and +15 Acceleration. The Evolution expires on October 7.
Requirements
- Excluded Rarity: World Tour Silver Stars
- Overall: Max. 74
- Position: ST
- Max PlayStyles: 4
- Pace: Max. 88
Best Players to Upgrade
- Ignacio Schor (Platense)
- Lee Seung Woo (Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors)
- Youssoufa Moukoko (Borussia Dortmund)
- Lucas Janson (Boca Juniors)
- Joshua King (Al-Khaleej)
- Chido Obi (Manchester United)
And those are all the active EA FC 26 Evolutions for now. While you’re here, be sure to check out the best formations and custom tactics to take your Ultimate Team to the next level.
