EA Sports FC 26 Cover Stars Revealed
EA Sports has officially unveiled the FC 26 cover stars, and it’s got gamers hyped. From rising midfield maestros to an unexpected legend, the new cover athletes set the tone for what’s shaping up to be one of the most ambitious football games yet. If you’re a fan of FC Ultimate Team, Career Mode, or just care about who represents the game globally, you’ll want to know who’s front and centre this year.
To get the most out of UT, don’t miss our article on Top 5 Pro Tips to Rule FC 26 Ultimate Team!
FC 26 Cover Stars Breakdown
Based on updated sources from EA's official press release (July 2025) and community discussions on platforms like Sky Sports and Shacknews, the FC 26 cover stars are confirmed as Jude Bellingham and Jamal Musiala for the Standard Edition, with Zlatan Ibrahimović on the Ultimate Edition. Release is set for September 26, 2025, with early access on September 19.
Standard Edition: Jude Bellingham & Jamal Musiala
EA went full Gen Z with the FC 26 cover stars for the Standard Edition. Jude Bellingham and Jamal Musiala, two of Europe’s brightest young stars, share the front of the game. Bellingham, Real Madrid’s midfield engine, returns to the cover spotlight after gracing last year’s FC 25 solo edition. Meanwhile, Musiala, known for his silky footwork and creativity at Bayern Munich, makes his first-ever global cover appearance.
These two players aren’t just talented—they’re symbolic. They’ve both risen through youth systems, played together for England's youth squads, and now headline two of the biggest clubs in world football. EA’s choice to pair them on the FC 26 cover stars is a clear nod to the future of the sport and the evolution of its new superstars. The chemistry between these players, both on and off the pitch, gives this cover real narrative weight.
Bellingham's card in FC 26 is primed to be a box-to-box beast, with his real-life stamina translating to high work rates that dominate in Division Rivals. Last season's 23 goals and 13 assists at Madrid make him a must-have for hybrid squads blending La Liga and Bundesliga links.
Musiala, fresh off 10 goals and 12 assists for Bayern, brings that dribbling flair with 5-star skills, perfect for snaking through defenses in Rush mode. Their shared youth history adds chemistry bonuses in FUT—pair them with icons like Lampard for max links. Gamers grinding early access should snipe their base cards cheaply before prices spike post-launch. EA's pitch notes highlight how their animations.
FC 26 Ultimate Edition Cover Star: Zlatan Ibrahimović Returns
In one of the most unexpected (but somehow totally Zlatan) moves, EA brought back Zlatan Ibrahimović as the face of the Ultimate Edition. This is huge—after legal battles over image rights kept him out of previous EA titles, he’s now fully back. The FC 26 cover star shows Zlatan casually reclining in bed, surrounded by memorabilia and trophies, a fitting tribute to his larger-than-life personality and legendary career.
His return on the FC 26 cover stars isn’t just fan service—it’s a message. It celebrates legacy players who’ve changed the game and delivers a nostalgia hit for long-time football fans who remember Zlatan’s prime. It’s a bold mix of old-school swagger and next-gen gameplay.
Zlatan's icon card drops with that trademark aerial dominance, boasting 99 jumping and heading accuracy based on his career highs at Milan. Even retired, his PlayStyles like Power Header make him a nightmare for CBs in Weekend League. The FC 26 cover star nods to new legend evolutions, where you can upgrade his base to reflect PSG or United eras with added traits.
Sources from Bleacher Report note his image rights resolution opens doors for more retired pros in packs. In Career Mode, his mentorship perks boost youth academy strikers' finishing stats. Stack him in Swedish or Serie A squads for easy 100 chem, but watch his pace—pair with speedy wingers to counter meta fullbacks. Early Ultimate buyers get their loan item, ideal for testing in friendlies without committing coins.
Release Date, Platforms & Early Access Details
FC 26 officially launches on September 26, 2025, with early access kicking off September 19 for Ultimate Edition buyers and EA Play subscribers. That seven-day head start has become a standard for players who want to dive into Ultimate Team before the rest of the world. As for where you can play it, EA has cast a wide net—expect FC 26 on:
- PlayStation 4 and 5
- Xbox One and Series X/S
- PC (Steam & Epic)
- Nintendo Switch and Switch 2
With next-gen consoles offering deeper immersion thanks to faster load times and advanced rendering, players on PS5 and Series X will get the best out of the new HyperMotion V animations and revamped player physics.
Prices follow a similar model to last year:
- Standard Edition: $69.99 / £69.99 / €79.99
- Ultimate Edition: $99.99 / £89.99 / €99.99
Pre-order bonuses include early access, FUT ICON loans, career mode perks, and FC Points to get your Ultimate Team rolling early.
Dive into FUT a week early on September 19 with Ultimate or EA Play, giving you time to complete starter SBCs and flip market crashes. PC players on Steam benefit from mod support for custom kits, while Switch 2 handles portable Pro Clubs without lag spikes.
HyperMotion V ramps up on next-gen, with better collision detection that feels brutal in tackles—PS5 haptics make every slide count. From EA's July reveal, cross-play expands to all modes, so Xbox crews can squad up with PC mates seamlessly. Budget for storage; the install hits 100GB with updates, packing new stadiums like revamped Bernabeu. If you're on last-gen like PS4, expect scaled-down graphics but solid core gameplay for budget builds.
Why EA Chose These FC 26 Cover Stars
This year’s FC 26 Cover isn’t just about hype—it’s smart marketing. Bellingham and Musiala represent the future of world football. Both are skilful, marketable, young, and constantly improving. By putting them on the Standard Edition cover, EA is locking in the next generation of fans who watch La Liga and the Bundesliga every week.
Zlatan, on the other hand, appeals to legacy fans. Whether you admired his days at PSG, AC Milan, Manchester United, or even Ajax, his inclusion hits hard for players who’ve been with the franchise since the FIFA days. It’s about balance—new school meets old school, and that mix will resonate across EA’s massive global audience.
EA is listening to fans this year. The company leaned into community-driven development, bringing back much-requested features and legends. FC 26 cover stars mirror that focus, blending community love with global football storytelling.
From a gamer's view, Bellingham and Musiala fit the meta shift toward versatile mids who control tempo in 4-3-3 setups. Their rising OVRs—Bellingham at 88, Musiala at 87 per leaks—make them staples for budget squads early season.
Zlatan's pick revives icon hunting, with his story arcs boosting engagement in objectives. EA's data shows young stars drive mobile downloads, while legends retain veterans grinding for packs.
How FC 26 Cover Stars Influence Your Gameplay
These athletes aren't just faces— their stats shape meta squads, with Bellingham's vision enabling quick counters and Zlatan's finishing closing games.
Link them with Madrid or Bayern hybrids for chem boosts, focusing on evolutions to hit 90+ ratings mid-season.
Last Take
There’s more than just fresh faces; the new game includes gameplay mechanics designed to complement the styles of its FC 26 cover stars.
- Bellingham’s intelligent pressing and box-to-box play inspired the refined midfield positioning logic in the new Archetypes system. You can now assign roles like “controller,” “roamer,” or “enforcer” in Career Mode.
- Musiala’s dribbling and flair are part of the upgraded animation flow—dribbling is now context-sensitive, letting skilled players perform tight turns or initiate shield breaks more naturally.
- Zlatan’s inclusion coincides with a complete ICON overhaul. Older legends now get personality traits like “aerial dominance” or “back-to-goal master” that make them play more like their real-world selves.
If you're into Ultimate Team, expect all three FC 26 cover stars to be high-tier cards early in the cycle. Ibrahimović, especially, could be meta-breaking as a physically dominant forward.
FAQ Section
Who are the FC 26 cover stars for the Standard Edition?
Jude Bellingham from Real Madrid and Jamal Musiala from Bayern Munich share the front, representing young talent and future stars in football.
Who is on the FC 26 Ultimate Edition cover?
Zlatan Ibrahimović returns as the cover star, depicted reclining in bed with trophies, celebrating his legendary career after resolving image rights issues.
When does FC 26 release, and what's the early access date?
FC 26 launches on September 26, 2025, with early access starting September 19 for Ultimate Edition owners and EA Play subscribers.
On which platforms is FC 26 available?
It's available on PlayStation 4 and 5, Xbox One and Series X/S, PC via Steam and Epic, Nintendo Switch, and Switch 2.
Why did EA choose these specific FC 26 cover stars?
Bellingham and Musiala appeal to younger fans with their skills and marketability, while Zlatan targets legacy players for a balance of new and old school.
