The new FC 26 is on its way, and as always, the excitement around building a starter team is real. Every year, players—including myself—plan out their starter squads with high expectations, only to find that in-game performance doesn't always match our expectations. This year, I'm taking a slightly different approach: building a starter team specifically designed to excel in Squad Battles from day one.

The Starter Team Challenge

One of the biggest challenges with starter teams is uncertainty. No one knows exactly how the game mechanics will play out. Will tall, powerful strikers dominate, or will pacey, agile forwards steal the show? Will you rely on tiki-taka passing to control the midfield, or more direct, counter-attacking strategies? These questions make selecting your starter squad tricky—but also exciting.

Key Players for a Solid Start

Some names immediately stand out. For defensive midfield, I've got my eye on a Dortmund DM with 82 pace, 74 shooting, 73 passing, 80 defending, and 86 physical. This is the perfect box-to-box starter card—physically dominant, defensively solid, and with enough pace to join attacks.

In defense, Sanchez from Galatasaray makes an ideal center-back: 82 defending, 88 physical, 82 pace. He fits perfectly for squad battles, providing speed and strength to cover your backline. Another center-back I recommend is Tomas, a cheap but solid Portuguese league option, pairing well with Antonu Silva for nearly full chemistry.

For goalkeeping, Roy Silva offers an 81-rated option that balances performance and affordability. While chemistry links are important, these players provide a strong starting foundation without breaking the bank.

Midfield Magic

Midfield is all about versatility. I'm including Rios, a dynamic box-to-box midfielder with 81 pace, 70 shooting, 77 passing, 82 dribbling, 70 defending, and 82 physical. With a shadow chemistry style, Rios can dominate both offensive and defensive phases.

Another key pick is Paul Pogba. Yes, his pace is a bit low, but his 5-star skills, 4-star weak foot, and potential evolutions make him a unique asset. I'm building around him for flair, ball control, and link-ups. Emery complements this setup as another versatile midfielder or DM option, depending on squad needs.

Attack Strategy

For forwards, I always aim to have one elite finisher and one fast, pacey attacker. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang fits the finisher role perfectly with his 4-star skills and 4-star weak foot. Pairing him with a pacey CAM like Trinka allows for quick one-twos, exploiting defensive gaps—especially effective in Squad Battles.

Tiki-taka play is a priority for this setup. Quick, precise passing between midfield and attack ensures that even lower-rated players can thrive with the right chemistry and positioning.

League Selection & Budgeting

An important tip: avoid the Premier League early on. Its starter players are often overpriced. Instead, focus on Bundesliga, Portuguese, or French league players who are both affordable and effective. This allows you to assemble a competitive squad without draining FC 26 coins or relying on pack luck.

Chemistry & Formation

My preferred formation for squad battles is 4-4-2, designed to leverage tiki-taka play while keeping the defense tight. Center-backs with high pace, midfielders with strong passing, and forwards with a combination of pace and finishing create a balanced team capable of topping Squad Battles early.

Left-back is my weakest link in this starter squad, but overall, the team achieves near full chemistry with strong links across the Portuguese and French leagues. Slap in a compatible manager, and the squad is ready to dominate early rewards and climb the top 100 leaderboard.

Final Thoughts

Building a starter team in FC 26 isn't about picking the flashiest or most expensive players—it's about finding a balanced, tactical squad that can maximize early rewards in Squad Battles. By focusing on pace, passing, finishing, and chemistry, you can create a team capable of competing at a high level from day one.

While we can't predict how packs or evolutions will affect your roster, this approach ensures that your starter squad is ready for early success. Two weeks away from release, I'm confident this team will give a strong foundation for FC 26—and maybe even top 100 rewards in Squad Battles.