EA FC 26 Hero and Icons (Complete Lists)

Get ready for another thrilling season of EA Sports FC with the release of FC 26. One of the most exciting features in Ultimate Team is the addition of new Icons and Heroes—those legendary players who bring not just stats but also a rich history and story to your squads. 

This ties closely to our blog on FC 26 Debut and Champions Icons Ratings, where we go into the pre-order exclusive rewards.

In the world of Ultimate Team, some players are just different. They are the legends of the game, the players we grew up watching, the icons who can single-handedly change the course of a match with a moment of brilliance. We're talking, of course, about EA FC 26 Icons and EA FC 26 Heroes. These special cards are the most sought-after items in the game, representing the absolute pinnacle of footballing history.

These special cards are a game-changer. In this blog, we’ll dive into what makes Icons and Heroes so special, explore the difference between them (with a little help from some celestial analogies), and reveal the official, leaked, and predicted Icons and Heroes set to grace FC 26. Let’s get started!

FC 26 Icons vs. Heroes

Before we dive into the extensive player lists, it's crucial to understand the fundamental difference between these two legendary card types. While both represent past greats, they function differently within your squad, especially when it comes to chemistry.

ICONs as Sun

Think of it like this: in the vast universe of football, Icons are like the Sun—the brightest, most massive stars that dominate everything around them. 

These are the all-time greats, players whose careers spanned multiple clubs and countries, achieving greatness at every turn. Names like Pelé, Maradona, or Ronaldo (both of them!) instantly come to mind. They’re household names, even to non-football fans, and their cards in Ultimate Team are often the crown jewels of any squad.

Icons are the absolute legends of the sport, players who transcended the game itself, like Pelé, Zidane, and Ronaldo Nazário. In Ultimate Team, they have incredible, well-rounded stats and, most importantly, provide chemistry to every single player in your squad, regardless of their league or nation. 

This makes them the ultimate squad-building tool, the "glue" that can link any players together and unlock incredibly creative hybrid teams. When you want to choose EA FC icons, you're choosing a player who can fit into any squad imaginable.

Heroes as Jupiter

On the other hand, Heroes are like Jupiter—massive, impressive, and undeniably important, but not quite reaching the status of a star. Jupiter is the largest planet in our solar system, and if it had just a bit more mass, it could have become a star itself. Similarly, Heroes are players who shone brightly for specific clubs or national teams, often becoming cult heroes or key figures in particular eras. 

While they might not have the same universal recognition as Icons, their impact is undeniable, and they hold a special place in the hearts of fans. In Ultimate Team, both Icons and Heroes are invaluable, offering unique playstyles and boosting your squad’s chemistry.

So, while Icons are the ultimate legends, Heroes are the unsung heroes (pun intended) who made their mark in more niche but equally important ways. Now, let’s see who’s joining the club in FC 26!

Heroes are fan-favorite players who are remembered for their legendary moments and cult status at a specific club or in a specific league. In-game, they have fantastic stats and provide a chemistry boost to all players from their featured league (e.g., a Premier League Hero will give a +2 league link to all other Premier League players). 

They are a slightly more affordable way to add a legend to your team and are perfect for building strong, single-league or hybrid squads.

New Icons in FC 26

FC 26 is shaping up to be a blockbuster season for Ultimate Team, with leaks suggesting a fresh batch of 12 new Icons. These aren’t just any players—they’re footballing legends whose careers spanned decades and whose names are etched in the history books. Here’s the rumoured list of new Icons for FC 26, based on leaks from reliable sources like FutSheriff:

These players bring a diverse range of skills and nationalities to Ultimate Team, allowing you to build squads with a rich tapestry of football history. While this list is based on leaks, it’s exciting to see such a star-studded lineup potentially joining FC 26. Notably, Zlatan Ibrahimovic has been confirmed as a new Icon, adding credibility to these leaks 

However, there’s a slight discrepancy in some sources, with one mentioning Arjen Robben as a potential Icon (91 OVR), but we’ll stick with the 12 listed above for consistency. The Mirror.

New Heroes in FC 26: The Cult Legends

In addition to Icons, FC 26 will also feature new Heroes—players who, while not reaching Icon status, left an indelible mark on the game through their performances for specific clubs or countries. Leaks suggest there will be 8 new Heroes in FC 26, each with their own unique story and playstyle. Here’s who we might see, based on leaks from The Mirror:

These Heroes offer unique playstyles that can complement any squad, providing depth and variety to Ultimate Team. They’re perfect for building chemistry with specific leagues or nations, making them a must-have for strategic FC 26 players.

What are Silver Icons?

In a huge and exciting new twist for EA FC 26, EA has introduced "Silver Icons." This is a fantastic new feature that brings the legends of the game to a completely different part of the Ultimate Team ecosystem.

Silver Icons are special, lower-rated (74 and below) versions of legendary players designed to be used in the "Silver Stars" game mode or for specific, creative squad-building challenges. 

This is a fantastic way to start playing Icons in FC 26 without needing a multi-million coin budget. These cards still possess the unique body types and feel of their prime versions but are balanced for silver-level gameplay.

How to Get the First Silver Icons

According to the latest objectives, the first batch of Silver Icons are available exclusively by completing milestones in the "Silver Stars" objectives menu. This means you can earn them for free just by playing the game with silver players. Here are the Silver Icons confirmed at launch:

• 74 CB Bobby Moore
• 74 CAM Bobby Charlton
• 73 ST Eusébio
• 72 GK Yashin
• 70 RW Garrincha

ALL FC 26 Heroes and Icons

The inclusion of both male and female players in the Icons and Heroes lists reflects EA’s ongoing commitment to diversity in Ultimate Team. Players like Alex Morgan, Sissi, and Steffi Jones highlight the growing prominence of women’s football, while legends like Iniesta, Kroos, and Totti bring nostalgic appeal for long-time fans. For FUT 26 players, these additions mean more options to create dream squads that blend historical greatness with modern flair.

The inclusion of both male and female players in the Icons and Heroes lists reflects EA’s ongoing commitment to diversity in Ultimate Team. Players like Alex Morgan, Sissi, and Steffi Jones highlight the growing prominence of women’s football, while legends like Iniesta, Kroos, and Totti bring nostalgic appeal for long-time fans. For FUT 26 players, these additions mean more options to create dream squads that blend historical greatness with modern flair.

EA FC 26 Icons List:

EA FC 26 Heroes List:

How to Get Icons and Heroes in FC 26

So, you want to add one of these legends to your club. How do you do it? There are a few different paths you can take.

The Grind: Packs, SBCs, and Objectives

These are the "free-to-play" ways you can find new Icons in FC26. You can get incredibly lucky and pack one, complete a lengthy Icon Squad Building Challenge (SBC), or earn them through programs like Icon Swaps or by progressing through the Season Pass. These methods require a lot of time and either a ton of luck or a club stacked with high-rated "fodder" players.

The Fast Track: Buying Icons in EA FC 26

For most players, the chances of packing a top-tier Icon are incredibly slim. The most direct and guaranteed way to add one of the meta Heroes in FC26 or your dream Icon to your squad is by using the transfer market. Of course, this requires a massive coin balance. For players who want to get their hero now and start winning, the option to safely buy FC 26 coins provides the instant budget needed to make that dream a reality.

Career Mode Icons

In another exciting update, you can now pick FC26 career mode icons to add to your Manager Career Mode team after unlocking them in the Season Pass. This allows you to build a true fantasy squad, blending today's stars with the legends of the past.

Summary of Acquisition Methods

Final Whistle

From the god-tier elite who dominate the Weekend League to the exciting new Silver Stars available for free, EA FC 26 Icons and EA FC 26 Heroes are the most desirable players in Ultimate Team. 

They offer a unique blend of on-pitch brilliance, nostalgic value, and powerful squad-building advantages. Whether you're grinding objectives to earn your first Hero, completing an SBC for a club legend, or saving up your coins for a top-tier game-changer, this guide has given you the complete overview of the legends available in EA FC 26. Now that you know how to choose EA FC icons, your ultimate team journey can truly begin.

FAQ Section

1. Q: What is the difference between Icons and Heroes in FC 26? 

   A: Icons are all-time greats like Pelé with universal recognition across clubs and countries, while Heroes are cult figures like Jill Scott who shone brightly for specific teams or eras, offering unique playstyles and chemistry boosts.

    

2. Q: Who are some of the new Icons leaked for FC 26?

    A: 12 new Icons including Andres Iniesta (92 OVR), Zlatan Ibrahimovic (91 OVR), Toni Kroos (91 OVR), Marcelo (91 OVR), and Alex Morgan (92 OVR), bringing diverse skills and nationalities to Ultimate Team.

    

3. Q: What are the new Heroes expected in FC 26? 

   A: Eight new Heroes such as Simone Laudehr (88 OVR), Michel Salgado (88 OVR), Louisa Necib (88 OVR), Jill Scott (87 OVR), and Daniele De Rossi (87 OVR), providing depth for squad chemistry in specific leagues.

    

4. Q: How do Icons and Heroes enhance Ultimate Team squads? 

   A: They offer unique playstyles, boost chemistry with leagues or nations, and allow blending historical legends with modern players, reflecting EA’s commitment to diversity including more women’s football icons like Alex Morgan and Sissi.

    

5. Q: What is the predicted OVR for new Icon Oliver Kahn? 

   A: Oliver Kahn is leaked as a 94 OVR GK, known for his Champions League success with Bayern Munich and being one of the best goalkeepers, adding strong defensive options to FC 26 squads.