FC 26 87+ Encore Icon Player Pick SBC: Full Rewards Guide

• What is the 87+ Encore Icon Player Pick SBC?
• How the 1 of 3 Player Pick works
• When you should complete this SBC
• All Base Icons in the 87+ Encore Icon Player Pick
• All Thunderstruck Icons in the Player Pick
• All Unbreakables Icons in the Player Pick
• All Time Warp Icons in the Player Pick
• All Champions Icons in the Player Pick
• Is the 87+ Encore Icon Player Pick SBC worth it?
• Using ItemD2R to prepare for the SBC
• Extra tips to get the most from your Icon pull

What is the 87+ Encore Icon Player Pick SBC?

The 1 of 3 87+ Encore Icon Player Pick Squad Building Challenge in EA Sports FC 26 lets you choose one Icon from three options, all rated 87 or higher, taken from a huge pool of past promo versions. For players with a club full of unneeded high-rated cards, this SBC is a tempting way to turn surplus fodder into a legendary name.

Because it combines multiple promo teams – Base, Thunderstruck, Unbreakables, Time Warp and Champions – the selection of possible Icons is larger than almost any other Icon SBC in FC 26 to date. Knowing what you can actually pack is crucial before you decide to commit your resources.

How the 1 of 3 Player Pick works

When you submit the required squads, the SBC will present you with three random Icon cards drawn from the full 87+ Encore pool. You then pick one of the three to keep permanently. The other two disappear.

The key details:

• You always see three Icons, all rating 87+.
• Icons can be Base or one of several special promo versions listed below.
• All cards are untradeable, so you cannot sell them on the transfer market.
• The SBC is usually time-limited, so plan your fodder usage accordingly.

Because there is no protection against duplicates, make sure you check your club and avoid doing this SBC if you already own many of the cards listed below untradeable.

When you should complete this SBC

This SBC is designed for players who have a lot of high-rated cards from packs, Weekend League, or other upgrades, but not enough transfer-list space. If you find yourself discarding 87+ cards or leaving them unused, this is the perfect moment to convert them into a potentially meta Icon.

Consider completing the SBC when:

• You have multiple duplicate 87–91 cards sitting untradeable in your club.
• There are few other high-value SBCs live that you want to complete.
• You are missing a key position in your squad that an Icon could fill long-term.

On the other hand, if your club is low on fodder and you’re still building a basic team, it can be smarter to focus on cheaper upgrade SBCs or meta gold cards before risking a large chunk of value on a random pick.

All Base Icons in the 87+ Encore Icon Player Pick

The Base Icon section of the pool is enormous and covers every area of the pitch. These cards may not always be the most powerful version of a legend, but many are still more than good enough to play in high-level Rivals and Weekend League squads.

Base Icon defenders and goalkeepers

These Icon defenders and keepers can transform a shaky back line into an elite unit thanks to their links and defensive stats.

• Nemanja Vidic – CB 87
• Ronald Koeman – CB 88
• Marcel Desailly – CB 88
• Laurent Blanc – CB 88
• Edwin van der Sar – GK 88
• Petr Cech – GK 88
• Giorgio Chiellini – CB 88
• Marcelo – LB 89
• Alessandro Nesta – CB 89
• Peter Schmeichel – GK 89
• Jones – CB 89
• Fabio Cannavaro – CB 89
• Lilian Thuram – RB 88
• Rio Ferdinand – CB 88
• Lahm – RB 89
• Puyol – CB 89
• Matthäus – CM 90 (also works as a defender in some squads)
• Baresi – CB 91
• Cafu – RB 91
• Carlos Alberto – RB 91
• Kahn – GK 91
• Maldini – CB 92
• Beckenbauer – CB 92
• Angerer – GK 92
• Yashin – GK 92
• Roberto Carlos – LB 90

Base Icon midfielders

From deep playmakers to all-action CDMs, this SBC can drop some of the most iconic midfielders in football history.

• Frank Lampard – CM 87
• Claude Makélélé – CDM 87
• Emmanuel Petit – CDM 87
• Frank Rijkaard – CDM 87
• Xabi Alonso – CDM 87
• Paul Scholes – CM 88
• Steven Gerrard – CM 88
• Bastian Schweinsteiger – CM 88
• David Beckham – RM 88
• Gheorghe Hagi – CAM 88
• Juan Riquelme – CAM 88
• Pavel Nedved – LM 88
• Michael Laudrup – CAM 88
• Pirlo – CM 90
• Abily – CM 90
• Foudy – CM 90
• Toni Kroos – CM 90
• Ruud Gullit – CAM 90
• Sawa – CM 91
• Baggio – CAM 91
• Xavi – 91
• Iniesta – CM 92
• Charlton – CAM 92
• Zidane – CAM 94

Base Icon forwards and wingers

Icons up front are usually the most exciting pulls from any SBC. This pool includes some of the most feared attackers in FC history.

• Davor Šuker – ST 87
• Iain Wright – ST 87
• Fernando Torres – ST 87
• Patrick Kluivert – ST 87
• Robert Pirès – LM 87
• John Barnes – LW 87
• Ian Rush – ST 87
• Andriy Shevchenko – ST 88
• Robin van Persie – ST 88
• Michael Owen – ST 88
• Miroslav Klose – ST 88
• Wayne Rooney – ST 88
• Pichon – ST 88
• Franck Ribéry – LM 88
• Gareth Bale – RW 88
• Francesco Totti – ST 89
• Hristo Stoichkov – ST 89
• Jairzinho – RW 89
• Smith – ST 89
• Eric Cantona – ST 89
• Luis Figo – RW 89
• Kenny Dalglish – ST 89
• Hugo Sánchez – ST 89
• Kaká – CAM 89
• Didier Drogba – ST 89
• Ruud van Nistelrooy – ST 89
• Sócrates – CAM 89
• Alan Shearer – ST 89
• Samuel Eto’o – ST 89
• Gary Lineker – ST 89
• Raúl – ST 90
• Schelin – ST 90
• George Best – RW 90
• Rivaldo – LW 90
• Miyama – LM 90
• Morgan – ST 91
• Eusébio – ST 91
• Zlatan Ibrahimović – ST 91
• van Basten – ST 91
• Thierry Henry – ST 91
• Garrincha – RW 92
• Prinz – ST 92
• Puskás – ST 92
• Müller – ST 92
• Ronaldinho – LW 93
• Cruyff – CAM 93
• Hamm – ST 93
• Ronaldo – ST 94
• Maradona – CAM 95
• Pelé – CAM 95

All Thunderstruck Icons in the Player Pick

Thunderstruck Icons are upgraded versions of existing Icons, often with boosted stats and unique chemistry value. Pulling one of these can easily justify the cost of the SBC on its own.

• Bale – RW 89
• Ribéry – LM 89
• Koeman – CB 89
• Schweinsteiger – CM 89
• Beckham – RM 89
• Eto’o – ST 90
• Bergkamp – ST 91
• Abily – CM 91
• Roberto Carlos – LB 91
• Schelin – ST 91
• Rivaldo – LW 91
• Xavi – CM 92
• Eusébio – ST 92
• Beckenbauer – CB 93
• Maldini – CB 93
• Prinz – ST 93
• Maradona – CAM 96

Among these, cards like Thunderstruck Maradona, Maldini, and Beckenbauer are true endgame pieces, capable of staying in your team all cycle.

All Unbreakables Icons in the Player Pick

The Unbreakables promo focuses on toughness and defensive reliability. Most of these Icons excel in physical battles and structured defenses.

• Henrik Larsson – ST 88
• Robert Pirès – LM 89
• Nemanja Vidic – CB 89
• Juan Román Riquelme – CAM 89
• Javier Zanetti – RB 91
• Alan Shearer – ST 91

While Larsson and Shearer might not be the most meta options in every formation, Vidic and Zanetti are still very dependable at the back and can be worth using even in top-tier competition.

All Time Warp Icons in the Player Pick

Time Warp Icons reimagine legends at different points in their careers, often with interesting position changes or stat profiles.

• Roy Keane – CM 88
• John Barnes – LW 89
• Pavel Nedved – LM 89
• Carles Puyol – CB 90
• Philipp Lahm – RB 90
• Bobby Moore – CB 91
• Andrea Pirlo – CDM 91
• Homare Sawa – CM 92
• Marco van Basten – ST 92
• Garrincha – RW 93

Time Warp Pirlo at CDM and Lahm at right-back are particularly exciting for players who value precise passing from deep and solid defensive awareness.

All Champions Icons in the Player Pick

The Champions Icons selection celebrates trophy winners and clutch performers. Many of these cards have well-rounded stats that fit multiple formations.

• Cha Bum Kun – ST 88
• Sissi – CAM 88
• Francesco Totti – ST 89
• Jones – CB 89
• Steven Gerrard – CM 89
• Giorgio Chiellini – CB 89
• Marcelo – LB 89
• Seger – CM 90
• Toni Kroos – CM 90
• Thierry Henry – 91
• Oliver Kahn – GK 91
• Alex Morgan – ST 91
• Ronaldo – ST 92
• Andrés Iniesta – CM 92
• Zlatan Ibrahimović – ST 92

Champions Ronaldo, Henry, and Zlatan are some of the most coveted attackers you can pull from this SBC, combining elite finishing, strength, and unique animations that few defenders can handle.

Is the 87+ Encore Icon Player Pick SBC worth it?

Whether this SBC is worth doing depends on your club situation and your risk tolerance.

Pros:

• Huge pool with many endgame Icons like Ronaldo, Cruyff, Pelé, Maradona, Beckenbauer and Maldini.
• Player Pick format gives you three chances instead of one straight pack.
• Great way to recycle dupes and high-rated cards you would otherwise discard.

Cons:

• You can still hit medium-tier Icons that don’t fit the meta or your squad.
• Untradeable return means no way to recoup value via the transfer market.
• High fodder cost may block you from completing future promo SBCs.

To make a smart decision, compare the estimated value of the SBC (the cost of required squads) with the average price of Icons in this pool on the official transfer market. Websites that track FUT prices, or the in-game market itself, can help you estimate how often you’re likely to hit a player worth more than you’re spending.

Using ItemD2R to prepare for the SBC

Completing the 1 of 3 87+ Encore Icon Player Pick SBC can be expensive, especially if your club doesn’t already contain enough 87–90 rated cards. This is where planning your economy becomes just as important as choosing the right tactics on the pitch. Instead of rushing and throwing any card into squads, many players first build a stable coin base and then gradually invest into SBC fodder over time.

ItemD2R is a third‑party platform focused on helping players optimize their in‑game progression across multiple titles, including the latest EA football releases. For FC 26 players, the site offers a convenient way to manage your budget and keep your club competitive without wasting hours flipping cards or grinding low‑value objectives. By having access to a reliable coin supply, you can pick up meta fodder on the transfer market when prices dip, and complete big SBCs like the Encore Icon Player Pick exactly when they offer the best value for your squad.

If you decide to supplement your grind externally, you can visit ItemD2R’s FC section and use their services to maintain a strong economy in a controlled, predictable way. When doing so, always consider both in‑game and external rules: keep your account secure, avoid suspicious trades, and stick to established platforms. For users who want a direct route to improving their squad, ItemD2R provides dedicated pages for ea fc 26 sell coins as well as a broader marketplace for Coins FUT. With a healthy coin balance, it becomes far easier to buy missing fodder, complete the SBC on your own schedule, and still keep enough value in your team for future promo events.

Extra tips to get the most from your Icon pull

Once you’ve decided to complete the SBC, a bit of preparation goes a long way.

• Check your squad needs: If your defense is already stacked but your attack is weak, you may value offensive Icons more and make your pick accordingly.
• Think about chemistry: Icons give strong links, but some nations and positions are easier to fit than others. A central Icon (ST, CAM, CM, CDM, CB) will usually be simpler to build around than a niche position.
• Don’t chase nostalgia blindly: It’s tempting to choose childhood heroes, but check in‑game stats and weak foot/skill moves first. Sometimes a less famous Icon performs much better in the current meta.
• Save until you can afford it: If you’re still missing a lot of basics (meta gold cards, cheap special cards, a full bench), it can be wiser to delay this SBC until your club is more established.
• Follow balance patches: EA can adjust gameplay and card viability through updates. An Icon that feels average today might become stronger (or weaker) after changes to shooting, dribbling, or pace.

If you approach the 87+ Encore Icon Player Pick SBC with a clear plan – managing fodder, understanding the full reward pool, and timing your completion – it can be one of the most exciting and rewarding upgrades in your entire FC 26 club journey.