The beautiful game is back.
Forget the sweat-fests and the cut-back merchants for a second — today is about flair. Joga Bonito has landed in FC 26, and EA has finally given the skillers what they want. We are talking about 5-star skill boosts, Trickster PlayStyles, and cards designed to break ankles.
If you grew up watching those Ronaldinho ads, this promo is speaking your language. But does nostalgia win games in the Weekend League? Let’s find out.
Promo & Event Updates
Joga Bonito
This isn't just a stat boost; it's a philosophy shift. The Joga Bonito promo focuses entirely on Dribbling, Flair, and Skills. Expect unique PlayStyle+ combos like Trickster+ and Technical+ to be the norm here.
This squad is stacked with heavy hitters who fit the meta perfectly:
Aitana Bonmatí (92 CM) - The jewel of the midfield. 94 Dribbling and Tiki Taka mastery.
Vitinha (91 CM) - A PSG link-machine with 92 Dribbling. A perfect box-to-box playmaker.
David Ginola (90 LM) - The Hero King returns.
Jay-Jay Okocha (90 CAM) - So nice they named him twice. 94 Dribbling. If you know how to skill, he is unstoppable.
Cole Palmer (89 CAM) - Cold Palmer gets a massive boost. 89 Passing/Dribbling makes him a deadly #10.
Maicon (89 RB) - One of the best attacking fullbacks we've seen. 89 Pace, 87 Physicality.
Promo Takeaways
The Chase Cards: Ginola (90 LM) is the card everyone wants. He has the frame, the skills, and the custom animations to glitch through defenses. Aitana Bonmatí (92 CM) is the best non-Icon midfielder in the game; her L-stick dribbling will feel like a cheat code.
Solid Picks: Murillo (87 CB) is a sleeper hit. 87 Defending/Physicality with respectable pace makes him a wall in the Premier League. Michael Olise (88 RM) is a finesse shot merchant's dream.
The Dead Cards: Ederson (87 GK). Keepers are keepers. Unless you need the Brazil/City links for chemistry, he’s just high-rated fodder. Sergiño Dest (86 RB) is fun but lacks the defensive stats to survive against elite wingers.
Pack Value Alerts
Joga Bonito Guarantee Pack
Cost: 200,000 Coins / 1,000 FC Points.
Odds: 15 Rares (83+), 5 Guaranteed 85+, 1 Guaranteed Joga Bonito Player (No Heroes).
Verdict: AVOID (With Coins).
Why? You are paying 200k for what is likely going to be an 85-rated Joga Bonito discard card. The weight on the top-tier cards like Bonmatí or Vitinha is microscopic. Do not liquidate your club for this.
Sexta-feira Pack
Cost: 225,000 Coins / 1,500 FC Points.
Odds: 20 Rares (84+), 5 Guaranteed 86+, 1 Guaranteed Joga Bonito Player.
Verdict: HARD PASS.
Why? "Sexta-feira" means Friday, but for your coin balance, this is a Black Friday disaster. 225k is incredibly steep. Unless you are loading FC Points, keep your coins liquid for the market crash.
SBC Spotlight
New promo, new SBCs. Here is what to cop and what to ignore:
Lamine Yamal POTM (~380K) — Expensive Meta. This card is electric. With 91 Dribbling and the "Mini-Neymar" body type, he is incredible in-game. However, nearly 380k is a massive commitment for an untradeable winger in December. If you run La Liga, he's a must-do. If not, save your fodder.
Lucas Paquetá (~320K) — Overpriced. The 5-Star skills are nice, and the West Ham/Brazil links are easy, but paying over 300k for an 87-rated card with 84 Pace is tough to justify. There are tradeable options that do 90% of the job for 10% of the price.
Cold Moon Player Pick (~28.5K) — Fair Gamble. For roughly 28k, you get a 1-of-3 shot at an Ultimate Scream player. It’s a cheap lottery ticket. If you have low-rated duplicates, send it.
82+ TOTW Upgrade (~7K) — Skip. The IQ test of SBCs. TOTW prices are low right now. Just buy who you need unless you strictly need an untradeable IF for an SBC requirement.
Cheapest Solution For Lamine Yamal POTM
Task | Requirements | Recommended players (rating) |
Task 1: FC Barcelona | FC Barcelona players: Minimum one TOTW players: Minimum one Team overall rating: Minimum 84 | Romelu Lukaku: 84 Alexander Sorloth: 84 Greggi: 84 Nusken: 84 Sergej Milinkovic-Savic: 84 Alex Greenwood: 84 Damaris Egurrola: 84 Fox: 84 Cata Coll: 84 van de Donk: 83 Guus Til (TOTW): 83 |
Task 2: Top Form | TOTW players: Minimum one Team overall rating: Minimum 85 | Oyarzabal (TOTW): 85 Foord: 85 Girelli: 85 Granit Xhaka: 85 Giugliano: 85 Svenja Huth: 85 Vivianne Miedema: 85 Kim Little: 85 Caroline Weir: 85 Damaris Egurrola: 84 Vivian: 84 |
Task 3: Spain | Spain players: Minimum one Team overall rating: Minimum 86 | Marie Katoto: 88 Irene Paredes: 88 Ada Hegerberg: 87 Millie Bright: 87 Ruben Neves: 84 Maanum: 84 Isco: 84 Sergej Milinkovic-Savic: 84 Cata Coll: 84 Pedro Goncalves: 83 Gimenez: 83 |
Task 4: LaLiga | LaLiga players: Minimum one Team overall rating: Minimum 87 | Endler: 88 Irene Paredes: 88 Robert Lewandowski: 88 Marie Katoto: 88 Gabriel: 88 Ella Toone: 85 Giugliano: 85 Girelli: 85 Milinkovic-Savic: 84 Maanum: 84 Xavi Simons: 84 |
Task 5: 87-rated squad | Team overall rating: Minimum 87 | Endler: 88 Irene Paredes: 88 Robert Lewandowski: 88 Marie Katoto: 88 Gabriel: 88 Ella Toone: 85 Giugliano: 85 Girelli: 85 Milinkovic-Savic: 84 Maanum: 84 Xavi Simons: 84 |
Task 6: 88-rated squad | Team overall rating: Minimum 88 | Rodri: 90 Alessia Russo: 89 Khadija Shaw: 89 Mapi Leon: 89 Endler: 88 Marie Katoto: 88 Girelli: 85 Laura Freigang: 85 Svenja Huth: 85 Isco: 84 Viggosdottir: 84 |
Market Watch
Market Overview: The market is behaving strangely. The Index 100 is UP (+0.93%), but don't let that fool you. We are seeing a massive divergence between low and high fodder.
Fodder on Fire (81-83s):
Index 81: UP +22.18%.
Index 82: UP +22.84%.
Action: SELL. Flash Challenges are draining supply. If you have gold commons or low-rated rares, list them now.
High-Rated Dip (86s):
Index 86: DOWN -11.47%.
Action: BUY. People are flooding the market with 86s from promo packs. This is a great entry point for fodder.
Evolutions: The Wizard (40k Coins / 400 FC Points)
This is the content we love. EA has dropped an EVO perfectly timed with the promo.
The Upgrade: A massive +12 Overall boost (Max 85 -> 87).
The Hook: Grants 5-Star Skill Moves, Trickster & Inventive PlayStyles, and the Quick Step PS+.
Top Picks:
David Neres (87): Becomes a skiller's dream with Brazil links.
Luis Díaz (87): Premier League pace demon with 5-star skills.
Heung-Min Son (87): If you can fit his lower-rated version, the 5* Weak Foot + 5* Skills combo is end-game.
Verdict: Worth it. 40k is pricey, but for a 5-Star Skill upgrade and +20 Pace/Dribbling, it turns a mid card into a meta winger.
Quick Hits
Promo: Joga Bonito is live. Chase Ginola and Bonmati; avoid the dead keepers and fullbacks.
Packs: Both the 200k and 225k store packs are coin sinks. Avoid them and save your liquid.
SBCs: Lamine Yamal is elite but expensive. Paquetá is overpriced. The Cold Moon Pick is the only value gamble today.
Market: 81-83s are flying (Sell), while 86s are dipping (Buy). Play the fluctuation.
Evo: The Wizard is a must-do for 40k. Neres, Diaz, and Son are the best options to turn into meta wingers.
Good luck with your champs games, and remember: if you aren't skilling, you aren't winning.
Catch you Monday,
Shahmeer