With the international break slowing down real-world football, much of the FC 26 community's energy has shifted toward analyzing starter squads, card prices, and early-game strategies. Between recovering from illness and readjusting streaming schedules, many content creators are still diving deep into Ultimate Team—especially now that the first wave of player squads and price discussions is surfacing online.

Starter Team Analysis

Across Twitter, Reddit, and community replies, a wide variety of FC 26 starter teams have been shared. Here's a breakdown of some notable squads, expected costs, and which cards may define the early meta.

Affordable Options (100–200K Range)

· Marmoush & Gravenberch: Likely to be the priciest players in mid-tier starter squads. Gravenberch's strong all-around stats could see him hit 50–70K during the opening week, similar to Tonali in past editions. Marmoush, with his upgrades, may also push into high demand.

· Backlines: Early defenders like Mario, Reece James, and Kerela look affordable—most likely under 15K combined. Fullbacks with low pace may struggle, but playstyle boosts like “+” upgrades could keep them usable.

· Kudus & Lookman: Both remain solid attacking options at manageable prices (10–25K). Kudus in particular was budget-friendly last year and looks set for a repeat.

Mid-Range Squads (150–250K)

· Konaté & Rafael Leão: These names will inflate team costs significantly. Konaté's big upgrade almost guarantees a minimum of 50K, while Leão—despite a downgrade—remains a 5★ skill, 4★ weak foot forward with top-tier pace and strength, likely landing around 70K.

· Supporting Cast: Barella, Dumfries, and Ana provide balance at lower prices. Dumfries's slower pace should keep him affordable despite strong animations.

Budget-Friendly “True Starter Teams” (<50K)

· Sané & Yüm: Sané's weak foot limits demand, while Yüm's pace and physicality make him one of the most underrated 80-rated options.

· Osimhen: High pace and shooting, but due to linking restrictions, his cost shouldn't explode—making him an early-game value striker.

· Fred & Ríos: Both look like classic meta starter midfielders with useful playstyle boosts.

Overpowered but Achievable Squads (<100K)

· Theo Hernández: Despite a downgrade, expect him to remain expensive (30–40K minimum) thanks to body type and meta appeal.

· Diaby: With 95 pace and Quick Step+, Diaby will be one of the most sought-after wingers to start FC 26.

· Zakaria & Rabiot: A rock-solid midfield duo that won't break the bank, especially compared to flashier names.

Market Predictions & Key Takeaways

· Expensive Early Picks: Konaté, Rafael Leão, Theo Hernández, Bremer, and Diaby.

· Value Gems: Fred, Kudus, Ríos, Milinković-Savić (cheap and versatile with a 5★ weak foot), and Jonathan David (always strong with 5★ weak foot).

· Legends & Icons: Pre-order packs may leave some players disappointed if they pull less-hyped legends like Cha Bum-kun instead of R9 or Henry. Still, his stats suggest he's better than the community gives him credit for.

Final Thoughts

Whether you're planning a 15K Serie A budget squad or chasing a 200K hybrid with Rafael Leão and Konaté, FC 26 offers plenty of starter flexibility. As always, the first week will be a mix of grinding SBCs, flipping on the transfer market, and opening those welcome-back packs to land some early coins.

The market will settle quickly, but the analysis is already clear: pace, playstyle boosts, and hybrid chemistry solutions will define the earliest days of Ultimate Team. Now's the perfect time to start sketching out your dream squad—even if the FC 26 coins count isn't quite there yet.