Hello all, we are back with your Monday FUTcast. This time a little brifier than usual. After all, significant news or leaks regarding the second Path to Glory squad have yet to arrive.
But even if not as much as it did on Friday, FC 26 got a fair bit of content during the last 72 hours, with the World Cup’s first Showdown SBCs taking center stage. A new Path to Glory objective is also here as a must-do for all looking to stack up Tokens, while Neymar and more than a hundred other players were added to Ultimate Team.
So, let’s get started, shall we?
Objectives Grind: Path to Glory!
Themed around the World Cup’s first round matches, EA FC 26’s Path to Glory! Objective allows players to claim a cumulative total of 300 Tokens, as well as multiple packs and evolutions. Here’s an overview of all of the rewards you can acquire through it, as well as how to unlock them. Keep in mind that all of the tasks below can only be completed by taking part in the Path to Glory Live Event.
10× 81+ Rare Gold Players Pack + Cosmetic Evolution (Score one goal)
40 FoF Tokens + 7× 82+ Rare Gold Players Pack (Score ten goals)
Defense Wins Championships Evolution (Score two Finesse Shot goals while having at least four players from South Korea or Czechia in your starting 11)
Self High Five Celebration (Score three goals while having at least four players from Mexico or South Africa in your starting 11)
7× 84+ Rare Gold Players Pack (Play four matches while having at least four players from the US or Paraguay in your starting 11)
4× 85+ Rare Gold Players Pack (Win two matches while having at least four players from Canada or Bosnia and Herzegovina in your starting 11)
3× 86+ Rare Gold Players Pack (Score five goals while having at least four players from Austria or Turkiye in your starting 11)
90 FoF Tokens + 3× 84+ Rare Gold Players Pack (Win three matches while having at least four players from Qatar or Switzerland in your starting 11)
500 SP (Score 5 goals while having at least four players from Brazil or Morocco on your starting 11)
170 FoF Tokens + Cosmetic Evolution (Group Completion Rewards)
SBC Spotlight
A total of eight Player SBCs have arrived since we last spoke, with the mentioned World Cup Showdowns being the most recent. You can check out an overview of all new cards below:
Path to Glory Ferran Torres (94 OVR / LW / ~240K): Worth it. Although not as effective in the wings as Path to Glory Gakpo, Torres’ versatility and lethal pairing of Finesse Shot+, Low Driven Shot+, and Quick Step+ make him a phenomenal fit for any LALIGA squad. He also has a high chance of getting multiple upgrades based on Spain’s World Cup expectations.
Path to Glory Martin Ødegaard (95 OVR / CM / ~200K): Worth it. If you have the coins or fodder to spare, Ødegaard can be a more than solid end-game CM, capable of playmaking like no other via Tiki-Taka+ and Incisive Pass+.
Showdown Ermedin Demirović (91 OVR / ST / ~13K): Skip. Even in the case of a Bosnia and Herzegovina upset, I cannot see Demirović putting up a fight against the meta in the future.
Showdown Cyle Larin (91 OVR / ST / ~17K): Skip. With a wide array of niche PlayStyles, Larin lacks the tools to be a worthwhile investment.
Showdown Teboho Mokoena (91 OVR / CDM / ~17K): Fun. Boasting a great selection of PlayStyles, Mokoena can be a great pick if upgraded.
Showdown Alexis Vega (91 OVR / LW / ~17K): Fun. With Finesse+ and Technical+ already in his arsenal, Vega can become a worthy alternative if upgraded.
Showdown Tim Ream (91 OVR / CB / ~17K): Worth it. By far the best pick among the new Showdown players, Ream’s high PAC/DEF/PHY, and Bruiser+/Jockey+ combo set him apart as a great find.
Showdown Omar Alderete (91 OVR / CB / ~17K): Worth it. Like Ream, Alderete’s high stat baseline and PS+ combo make him a highlight, as well as a worthy gauntlet pick even at his current state.
Market Watch
Market Overview: Overflow
With the arrival of both new cards and Upgrade SBCs, 80 to 88-rated fodder have gained considerable value, with 85s finding themselves up by over 20%, while 88 OVRs start the week at +10%.
Strategy: Sell. Although I would not recommend parting with your 89+ stock, now might be the best time to let go of your under-88 reserves.
Evolutions
Two new non-cosmetic or reward-related evolutions have debuted in the last few days, with today’s Hawk Eye being the showstopper for many.
Hawk Eye (50K / 250 FC Points)
Based on the Hawk Chemistry, the evolution offers a +20 OVR increase (max 93), a +20 stat boost to multiple PAC, SHO, and PHY substats, as well as the following PlayStyles: Quick Step+, Game Changer+, Finesse Shot+, Low Driven Shot, Rapid, and Relentless.
Requirements: Must be 91-rated or under. Cannot be a World Tour Silver Superstar, or have more than two PlayStyles+/10 PlayStyles.
Verdict: Worth it. Capable of giving a defender the 90+ PAC and Quick Step+ pairing, as well as turning your favorite striker into a lethal beast, the evolution justifies its price.
Inch Perfect (15K / 100 FC Points)
A repeatable evolution (2x), offering a +4-star Weak Foot upgrade, as well as +6 Vision, +4 Crossing, +4 Free Kick Accuracy, +6 Short Pass, +6 Long Pass, +6 Curve, and the following: Incisive Pass, Tiki Taka, Pìnged Pass, and Inventive.
Requirements: Must be 91-rated or under. Cannot be a Silver Icon or have more than 10 PlayStyles.
Verdict: Worth it. With the arrival of the FoF evolutions, Inch Perfect can be an ideal stepping stone and guarantee your pick will have at least a couple of meta passing PlayStyles on their kit.
Quick Hits
Objective: Path to Glory is a must-play if you want Tokens.
SBCs: Ferran Torres and Ødegaard are phenomenal cards. Ream and Alderete are the highlights among the Showdown picks.
Market: Now might be a great time to make some extra coins with your under-88 reserves.
Evos: Inch Perfect feels handmade for Token evolution chains, Hawk Eye can surprise you.
That's all we have for today. Remember to stay cool as you search for that Neymar.
Franklin Borges.