FC 26 Path to Glory Team 1 — Best Cards Ranked Before June 26 (De Bruyne, Saka, Rodri)

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Stats: 91 PAC · 93 SHO · 97 PAS · 95 DRI · 91 DEF · 92 PHY

97 Passing. That's the number that ends the conversation. For context, that's elite passer territory in any meta at any point in FC 26. Combined with 91 Defending — he doesn't just create, he covers. The full CM package that lets you push into a 4-3-3 with one holding mid and not feel exposed.

If Belgium progress through the World Cup knockout stages, this card has multiple upgrade paths. At the base 96 rating it's already worth the fodder spend. The upside is just a bonus.

Verdict: No brainer for any CM slot. Most complete card in the promo.

Stats: 96 PAC · 96 SHO · 94 PAS · 96 DRI · 85 DEF · 84 PHY

96 Pace. 96 Shooting. 96 Dribbling. Three sixes on the right wing. This is the meta RW profile that makes 4-3-3 dangerous — pace to get behind the defense, dribbling to beat the full-back one-on-one, shooting to punish any gap. The 85 Defending means he can press hard without being a liability when England win the ball back.

England are strong 2026 World Cup contenders, which gives this card serious upgrade potential through the knockout rounds.

Verdict: Best RW in the current promo. If you need that slot filled, do it.

Stats: 90 PAC · 88 SHO · 96 PAS · 95 DRI · 94 DEF · 92 PHY

The best holding midfielder you can get right now. 94 Defending + 96 Passing in a CDM slot: he breaks up play and recycles the ball in a single move. The 92 Physical means he wins aerial duels too — not a lightweight pivot. If you've been running an inferior CDM because the meta options were sold out or overpriced, this is the upgrade.

Spain as World Cup contenders is not a bold call. Rodri's upgrade ceiling is as high as any card in this promo.

Verdict: Best CDM in the promo. If the CDM slot is your weak link, stop reading and do the SBC.

Stats: 93 PAC · 94 SHO · 96 PAS · 95 DRI · 88 DEF · 90 PHY

Almost De Bruyne. The 96 Passing matches KDB, the Dribbling matches KDB, the Passing matches KDB. He falls short on Defending (88 vs 91) and Physical (90 vs 92) — but the difference is marginal. If De Bruyne's SBC is out of your fodder budget, Ødegaard is 90–95% of the card at a lower cost.

Norway's World Cup progress will be interesting — they qualified. Mid-table group finish or surprise run? Either way this card is already meta at the base 95 rating.

Verdict: Do it if you can't afford De Bruyne. Excellent CM, no obvious weakness.

Stats: 92 PAC · 70 SHO · 87 PAS · 84 DRI · 94 DEF · 95 PHY

The best physical CB in this promo. 92 Pace solves the traditional problem with big defenders — you can use a line-cracking striker without getting caught behind. 94 Defending + 95 Physical = aerial duels, tackling, positioning, all elite. The 87 Passing means he can start attacks from the back too.

Spain going deep in the World Cup would push this card's Defending and Physical further. Already a top-tier meta CB at base 94.

Verdict: Niche pick — only if CB is your weak slot and you need someone who won't get bullied by target strikers. Don't buy this if your defense is already solid.