EA Sports FC 26 Cover Stars Revealed: Here’s Who Made the Front

EA Sports has officially unveiled the FC 26 Cover, 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.

FC 26 Cover Stars Breakdown: Standard and Ultimate Editions

Standard Edition: Jude Bellingham & Jamal Musiala

EA went full Gen Z with the FC 26 Cover 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 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.

Ultimate Edition: 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 cover art 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 Ultimate Edition cover 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.

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.

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. The FC 26 Cover mirrors that focus, blending community love with global football storytelling.

FC26 Gameplay Upgrades Tied to the Cover Stars

There’s more than just fresh faces—FC 26 includes gameplay mechanics designed to complement the styles of its 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 athletes to be high-tier cards early in the cycle. Ibrahimović, especially, could be meta-breaking as a physically dominant forward.