FC 26 De Paul vs Berhalter Showdown SBC Guide & Cheap Solutions

The De Paul vs Berhalter Showdown SBC in EA Sports FC 26 Ultimate Team is a limited-time challenge that lets you back one side of the upcoming MLS Cup Final. Complete the Squad Building Challenges (SBCs) to unlock special dynamic items that can receive an overall upgrade depending on the match result.

• FC 26 De Paul vs Berhalter Showdown overview
• All De Paul vs Berhalter Showdown SBC requirements
• Cheap squad solutions for each segment
• De Paul or Berhalter – which card should you pick?
• How ItemD2R.com helps you grind Showdown SBCs faster
• Extra tips to save coins on Showdown SBCs
• FAQ: FC 26 Showdown SBC and upgrades

FC 26 De Paul vs Berhalter Showdown SBC overview

The De Paul vs Berhalter Showdown is tied to the MLS Cup Final between Inter Miami and the Vancouver Whitecaps. Each player item represents one of the teams, and the final result will decide which card gets boosted.

Both cards arrive with well-rounded stats and a useful PlayStyle+ each, making them strong options for competitive squads even before the upgrade. Because these are Showdown live items, they are especially attractive for players who enjoy building around domestic league or nation-based squads.

Here’s how the usual Showdown upgrade rules work in EA FC (based on current and past cycles):

• Winning team’s card: typically receives a +2 OVR boost.
• Draw: sometimes both players receive a smaller upgrade (for example +1), depending on the promo rules that cycle.
• Losing team’s card: usually stays at its original rating.

That means the SBC you complete is a bit like a bet on the actual match. If your chosen team wins, you get a highly upgraded player that can stay in your club for months.

All De Paul vs Berhalter Showdown SBC requirements

The SBC is split into two separate player paths: one for De Paul and one for Berhalter. Each path contains two segments. The structure is mirrored, but the nation requirement is different in the second squad.

De Paul SBC requirements

To unlock Showdown De Paul, you need to complete two squads:

1. De Paul – Top Form

• Minimum 1 Team of the Week player
• Minimum Team Rating: 83

This is the cheaper of the two segments and mainly serves to drain mid-range fodder, plus a single in-form.

2. De Paul – Argentina

• Minimum 1 player from Argentina
• Minimum Team Rating: 84

The Argentina segment is slightly more expensive due to the 84 rating requirement, but you only need one Argentinian player, so the squad is very flexible.

Berhalter SBC requirements

Berhalter’s SBC follows the same pattern as De Paul’s, just with a nation change in the second segment.

1. Berhalter – Top Form

• Minimum 1 Team of the Week player
• Minimum Team Rating: 83

2. Berhalter – United States

• Minimum 1 player from the United States
• Minimum Team Rating: 84

Again, the only restriction is a single US player, so you can fill the rest of the squad with affordable 83–84-rated fodder from any league or nation.

Cheap squad solutions for each SBC segment

The exact prices of players change every few minutes, so you should always double-check on a live market tracker or directly in-game. The squads below are example templates you can copy or adapt using players from your club.

Don’t worry if you don’t own the same names – just match the ratings and positions. Chemistry requirements on these SBCs are low or non-existent, so you mainly need to focus on overall rating and the one-nation requirement.

De Paul – recommended squads

De Paul – Top Form (83-rated with TOTW)

Example squad that meets the 83 rating and TOTW requirement:

• Any 86-rated TOTW (e.g., a cheaper in-form striker or goalkeeper)
• Akanji – 82
• Bruun – 82
• Milinkovic-Savic – 84
• Angeldahl – 81
• Doan – 82
• Murphy – 81
• de Vrij – 84
• Carrasco – 81
• Schar – 82
• Wood – 82

This mix uses one high-rated TOTW card plus several 81–84 golds. If your untradeable pile is stacked, you can easily swap in different players with the same ratings.

De Paul – Argentina (84-rated, 1 Argentinian)

Sample 84-rated squad with one Argentinian player:

• Damaris Egurrola – 84
• Viggosdottir – 84
• Nusken – 84
• Palacios – 84
• Doorsoun – 84
• Lawrence – 84
• Greenwood – 84
• Golovin – 79
• Milinkovic-Savic – 84
• Sorloth – 84
• Joao Cancelo – 84

Any one of these can be your Argentinian, or you can plug in an 84-rated Argentinian from your club. If the market shifts, look for cheap 84s from top leagues – they tend to be the most cost-efficient rating to hit 84 overall.

Berhalter – recommended squads

Berhalter – Top Form (83-rated with TOTW)

Because the rating requirement is identical to De Paul’s Top Form segment, you can use essentially the same structure:

• Any 86-rated TOTW
• Akanji – 82
• Bruun – 82
• Milinkovic-Savic – 84
• Angeldahl – 81
• Doan – 82
• Murphy – 81
• de Vrij – 84
• Carrasco – 81
• Schar – 82
• Wood – 82

Any combination of players that hits an 83 team rating with one in-form is fine, so feel free to replace names with cards you don’t plan to use.

Berhalter – United States (84-rated, 1 US player)

Example 84-rated squad for Berhalter’s second segment:

• Damaris Egurrola – 84
• Viggosdottir – 84
• Nusken – 84
• Palacios – 84
• Doorsoun – 84
• Lawrence – 84
• Greenwood – 84
• Catarina Macario – 83 (counts as the US player)
• Milinkovic-Savic – 84
• Sorloth – 84
• Joao Cancelo – 84

You only need one American card, so if Macario becomes expensive, swap her for any affordable US gold or special card and adjust the rest of the squad to maintain the 84 rating.

De Paul or Berhalter – which Showdown card should you choose?

Choosing between De Paul and Berhalter depends on your squad, chemistry links, and how much you trust each team in the MLS Cup Final. Both cards are viable, but they fill slightly different roles in-game.

Playstyle, position, and role

While the exact stats may differ depending on when you’re reading this, the general identity of each card is clear:

• De Paul – Typically offers a more complete midfield presence, with a balance of defensive work rate, passing, and physicality. He’s suited to a box-to-box CM or more defensive CM role in balanced or narrow formations.
• Berhalter – Often leans more towards control and transition play, potentially slightly lighter physically but cleaner on the ball, depending on his in-game stats. He can work well as a deep-lying playmaker or balanced CM in MLS or US-themed squads.

If you build primarily around top European leagues and already use Argentinian or La Liga links, De Paul tends to slot in more naturally. If you’re experimenting with MLS squads or enjoy using American stars, Berhalter becomes much more attractive.

Considering potential upgrades and evolutions

Showdown cards become especially powerful when they receive their match-based upgrade, and in FC 26 many of them are also expected to be compatible with future Evolution programs. That means a boosted De Paul or Berhalter could end up several ratings higher than their base Showdown version if you invest time into upgrading them.

Because of this, you should look at:

• Long-term chemistry: Which player will you actually keep in your main squad or as a first sub for several weeks?
• Club and nationality plans: Are you building an Argentina/La Liga hybrid or a US/MLS theme?
• Security vs risk: If you believe the match is one-sided, it might be worth going all-in on that player, but remember that football is unpredictable.

In short, pick the card that fits your club long-term, then view the upgrade as a bonus rather than the only selling point.

How ItemD2R.com helps you grind Showdown SBCs faster

Showdown SBCs are some of the most exciting content drops in FC 26, but they can also be coin-hungry. Between rising fodder prices, in-form requirements, and constant new promos, staying competitive in Ultimate Team requires a healthy budget. That’s where ItemD2R.com comes in.

ItemD2R focuses on supporting players who want to enjoy the full Ultimate Team experience without sinking countless hours into trading or menu grinding. By providing access to fut fifa coins in a straightforward way, ItemD2R lets you concentrate on what actually matters: building teams, completing SBCs like De Paul vs Berhalter, and competing in Rivals, Champs, and online cups.

Because Showdown SBCs are time-limited, you often don’t have long to react to market spikes. Popular cards can jump in price within minutes of a new challenge going live. Having a reliable backup option for ea fc 26 coins means you’re not forced to sell your favorite untradeables or miss out on a card just because you were short on budget at the wrong moment.

ItemD2R’s service is designed to be quick and user-friendly, so you can replenish your coins during a promo window and immediately jump back into completing SBCs, opening packs, or upgrading your squad. Instead of endlessly relisting cards and watching the market every night, you can focus on testing custom tactics, grinding Weekend League, or trying out new Showdown players like De Paul and Berhalter as soon as they drop.

If you’re planning to complete multiple SBCs across an entire promo or want enough flexibility to respond to surprise content drops, keeping an eye on your Ultimate Team economy is essential. Combining smart club management with external support from ItemD2R can make the difference between casually keeping up and staying truly competitive throughout the FC 26 cycle.

Extra tips to save coins on De Paul vs Berhalter SBCs

Even if you have a decent budget, it’s always smart to minimize the cost of SBCs. Here are some practical ways to keep the De Paul and Berhalter challenges affordable.

1. Use untradeable fodder first

Check your club for high-rated, unused players from packs, rivals rewards, and objectives. Untradeables are perfect for these types of SBCs because they can’t be turned into coins anyway. Prioritize cards you never use in-game and keep meta options for your squads.

2. Buy TOTW cards at low traffic times

Both Top Form segments require a Team of the Week player. In-forms often spike right after content drops, so consider buying them during quieter hours or a different day when supply is higher. Track price trends on popular sites such as FUTBIN to avoid overpaying.

3. Balance your squad ratings efficiently

Instead of loading your squad with pure 84s, try blending cheaper ratings with a few higher-rated cards. Sometimes one or two 86s plus several 81–82s is cheaper than filling the squad with 84s. Use the in-game rating calculator or SBC tools online to test combinations before you buy.

4. Sell high, buy low around promos

When a big promo card is released, many players dump high-rated fodder to open packs or complete other SBCs. This can briefly drop the prices of 83–85-rated cards, making it a good window to buy fodder for Showdown SBCs. Conversely, when a popular Showdown drops, consider selling duplicate or unneeded fodder into the hype.

5. Don’t feel forced to complete both players

It’s tempting to do both De Paul and Berhalter just in case, but that can be a large coin sink. If your budget is tight, focus on the one card that really fits your team. A single, well-used upgraded Showdown is more valuable than two cards that never make your starting XI.

FAQ: FC 26 De Paul vs Berhalter Showdown SBC

How long is the De Paul vs Berhalter Showdown SBC available?

Showdown SBCs are usually live for a limited period leading up to the real-world match, often around 3–5 days. Always check the in-game timer in the SBC menu to see the exact expiry time in your region.

When do De Paul and Berhalter receive their upgrades?

Upgrades for Showdown items are typically applied shortly after the real match is completed and the result is confirmed. It can take anywhere from a few hours to a couple of days for the rating boost to appear in-game, depending on EA’s update schedule.

Can these Showdown cards be used in Evolutions?

As of FC 26, many special cards have become compatible with certain Evolution paths, and the article suggests these Showdown items are expected to be eligible in the near future. Keep an eye on new Evolution programs in the Ultimate Team menu; if De Paul or Berhalter meets the requirements, you may be able to upgrade them even further.

Are De Paul or Berhalter worth the SBC cost?

If you can complete the SBC mainly with untradeable fodder and either player fits your tactics or chemistry, they are generally good value, especially considering the potential upgrade. If you must buy most of the squad from the transfer market and the match feels unpredictable, consider whether the card will still be useful even without an upgrade.

How can I afford more Showdown SBCs during the season?

Efficient gameplay (Rivals, Champs, Squad Battles), wise trading, and smart fodder management are key. If you still find yourself short on coins during big promos, using a trusted external source for fut fifa coins and ea fc 26 coins can help you keep up with content drops like De Paul vs Berhalter without falling behind the curve.

Whether you side with De Paul or Berhalter, this Showdown SBC is a fun way to connect your Ultimate Team club to the drama of the MLS Cup Final. Plan your squads carefully, manage your fodder wisely, and you’ll walk away with a card that can make a real impact in your FC 26 lineup.