FC 26 Forward Flank Evolution — Best ST Picks and How to Unlock (Knockout Glory 2)

Forward Flank Evolution — a straight upgrade to a 95-OVR striker

The Forward Flank Evolution went live on Saturday, 4 July 2026, and it stacks on top of the Knockout Glory 2 Tournament. If you already play the tournament this week, you are basically getting a free 95-rated striker by finishing objectives you would grind anyway. The upgrade path is generous, the eligibility ceiling is high, and there is no coin cost gate on the Evo itself — the only price is playing matches in the right event.

This piece walks through exactly what the Evo boosts, which cards qualify, and which four strikers are worth the slot right now. All ratings, positions and stats below come from live FC 26 card data — no rounded numbers.

What the Evo does (four tiers, all +30 stat pushes)

Each of the four levels is unlocked by playing one match in any mode with the active Evo player. The stat boosts are large by Evo standards:

• Level 1 — Overall +30 (to 95), Finishing +30, Positioning +30, Shot Power +30
• Level 2 — Crossing +30, Curve +30, Short Passing +30, Vision +30, Volleys +30
• Level 3 — Ball Control +30, Dribbling +30, Reactions +30
• Level 4 — Aggression +30, Stamina +30, Strength +30, Composure +30

Level 1 alone is the reason people are running this: a 93-OVR ST becomes a 95-OVR ST with maxed Finishing, Positioning and Shot Power. Levels 2–4 turn the same card into a well-rounded box striker that holds up in the Weekend League.

Who is eligible

The requirements are strict, so read them before you burn the slot on a card you love. Eligible cards must have:

• Maximum Overall 93
• Position: ST only
• Maximum 5 total positions
• Maximum 10 PlayStyles
• Maximum 3 PlayStyles+
• World Tour Silver Stars rarity is excluded

Most modern 91–93 promo strikers slot in. TOTY, TOTS 94+ and 97-rated Team of the Season cards do not — they are over the OVR cap. Read the tooltip in-game before applying, because a wrong click cannot be undone.

How to earn the Evo — Knockout Glory 2 objectives

The Evo is a reward inside the Knockout Glory 2 Tournament objective set. You need to complete three of the following four to unlock the Evolution alongside a Gavi item, packs and tokens:

• Play 2 — Play 2 matches in the Knockout Glory 2 Tournament
• Score in 4 — Score in 4 separate matches in the tournament
• Score in 8 — Score in 8 separate matches in the tournament
• Win Tournament — Win the Knockout Glory 2 Tournament outright

If you plan to grind the Tournament for the Gavi reward anyway, the "Play 2" plus "Score in 4" combo is the fastest path — those two chunks unlock the Evolution the moment they tick over.

Best four strikers for the Forward Flank slot

These are the picks that give the largest ceiling swing after the +30 stat wave. All four are eligible (max 93 OVR, ST-first, real card data verified):

1. Kylian Mbappé — UCL RTTF, 93 OVR ST

Base numbers: 99 PAC / 93 SHO / 86 PAS / 95 DRI / 42 DEF / 80 PHY. He is the archetype the Evo was designed for — pace already sat at the top, and Forward Flank throws Finishing, Positioning and Shot Power straight to the ceiling. Post-Evo he plays as an unlockable one-touch finisher with elite through-ball pace. If you own this card, this is the slot.

2. Endrick — TOTS Highlights, 93 OVR ST

Base numbers: 95 PAC / 92 SHO / 88 PAS / 92 DRI / 50 DEF / 88 PHY. Endrick is the balanced pick — 88 PHY is unusual for a 93 promo ST, meaning he does not get bullied off first-time volleys. After the Evo he ends at 95 OVR with maxed shooting sub-stats and a Level 3 dribbling push that turns him into a Champs-final one-touch box striker.

3. Yoane Wissa — Path to Glory, 93 OVR ST

Base numbers: 96 PAC / 95 SHO / 84 PAS / 93 DRI / 41 DEF / 86 PHY. If you cannot afford Mbappé or Endrick, Wissa is the coin-friendly ceiling. 96 PAC + 95 SHO already outruns most CBs, and Evo Level 1 pushing him to 95 OVR with Finishing/Positioning tops means he cashes in every through-ball. Cheapest of the four picks on the market this week.

4. Cristiano Ronaldo — TOTY Honourable Mention, 90 OVR ST

Base numbers: 90 PAC / 93 SHO / 82 PAS / 89 DRI / 40 DEF / 83 PHY. The upside pick if you want the biggest OVR jump. He starts at 90, and Level 1 alone pushes him to a 95-rated aerial finisher with 93+ shot power. Only pick him if you actually play crosses in build-up — otherwise the pace ceiling of the first three cards wins.

Verdict — is the Evo worth the slot?

Yes, for one reason: the +30 tier-1 bump alone lifts a 93-OVR promo ST to 95 OVR with maxed Finishing, Positioning and Shot Power. That is a Weekend League–ready striker for the cost of two tournament matches. If you were planning to run Knockout Glory 2 this week for Gavi, the Forward Flank slot is essentially free upside.

The only trap is spending it on a card outside the ST slot — Level 1 boosts do not carry back if you regret the pick. Read the tooltip, confirm the card, then send it.