Players, the 2026 World Cup final lineup has been announced. EA FC 26 has been closely following the tournament and will soon launch a Summer Stars event featuring players who shone brightly in this summer's World Cup. Based on their performance and impact in the World Cup, it's safe to assume that FC 26 will include Messi, Haaland, and players who nearly reached the final, Mbappe and Bellingham, in Summer Stars. But what other outstanding players might be included? What other information do we need to know about Summer Stars? Summer Stars Overview and Timing Summer Stars shouldn't be unfamiliar to long-time FIFA or EA Sports FC players, as it has been a key component of summer football celebrations in previous versions - FC 24 and even earlier, FIFA 22. It's back as scheduled this year, officially launching on Friday, July 17th (10:00 AM Pacific Time). FC 26's Ultimate Team will receive a wave of high-quality player card updates based on their World Cup performances, with the event's pace roughly synchronized with the ongoing World Cup. Player Selection Logic Players who have performed exceptionally well in this World Cup may be included in this Summer Stars event, similar to Team of the Tournament in previous Champions League tournaments, both recognizing the most outstanding and influential players throughout the competition. Judging from the official Summer Stars cover and promotional materials already released, the four featured players are Jude Bellingham, Erling Haaland, Kylian Mbappé, and Lionel Messi, all of whom had outstanding performances in this World Cup. While Haaland didn't reach the semi-finals, he led Norway to a historic quarter-final appearance and personally scored seven goals. However, since this is a collection of the best performers of the World Cup, the selected lineup naturally includes far more than just these four top stars. Many more players who left a deep impression on the tournament will also receive exclusive cards. FIFA 26 will assign corresponding OVR, position, and PlayStyles based on their contributions to the World Cup, striving to more realistically recreate the players' highlights this summer in the game. Confirmed Player Card Data The currently known player cards almost all have OVRs concentrated in the top range of 97 to 98, which is enough to prove the strength of these Summer Stars in EA FC 26. Kylian Mbappé Mbappé's card has an OVR of 98, positioned as a ST. In terms of specific stats, he also boasts 99 speed, 98 shooting, 91 passing, 99 dribbling, and 84 physicality. Aside from his slightly weaker physicality, he's a perfect combination of speed and finishing ability. Jude Bellingham Like Mbappé, Bellingham has a 98OVR, but plays as a CM. His stats include 97 speed, 98 shooting, 97 passing, 98 dribbling, 94 defense, and 96 physicality. It's clear that FC 26 has crafted a well-rounded stat set for Bellingham, balancing offensive and defensive capabilities, which aligns perfectly with his performance in this World Cup, where he scored six goals and provided numerous assists. Harry Kane Harry Kane, also from England national team like Jude Bellingham, was also selected for this year's Summer Stars. He plays as a 98OVR ST, with stats of 93 speed, 99 shooting, 95 passing, 97 dribbling, and 95 physicality. As England's captain, Kane played a crucial pivot role for the team in this World Cup, earning full recognition from FC 26. Lionel Messi Lionel Messi's Summer Stars card is positioned as a CF, with the same 98OVR. Undoubtedly, Messi boasts 97 passing, 98 dribbling, and 83 physicality, creating a highly recognizable playing style. Everyone knows how terrifying his dribbling and passing abilities are on the field, and his performance in this World Cup was equally stunning. Vinícius Jr. Vinícius Jr., with 98OVR, is positioned as a LW, boasting an astonishing 99 speed and 98 dribbling, perfectly replicating the explosiveness of Brazilian captain displayed leading Samba Army before the knockout stages. Mohamed Salah Mohamed Salah secured his place in FC 26 Summer Stars with his outstanding performance before the match against Argentina. His role as a 98OVR ST is clearly demonstrated by his near-98 speed and dribbling ability, highlighting his crucial role in Egypt's attacking system. Erling Haaland Erling Haaland's card continues his signature aggressive style. A 98OVR ST, coupled with 99 shooting, 96 physicality, and 98 speed, makes this card's finishing ability a perfect match for his terrifying output of seven goals in this World Cup. Ousmane Dembélé Although somewhat overshadowed by his teammate Mbappé, Ousmane Dembélé still made a strong showing in FC 26 Summer Stars with a 98OVR, RW role. Dembélé's four goals and assists are impressive statistics. Aymeric Laporte Spanish player Aymeric Laporte has been selected for this Summer Stars event with a 97OVR CB rating, along with 98 defense and 97 physicality. Pau Cubarsí Also boasting a 97OVR CB rating, Pau Cubarsí is undoubtedly a member of FC 26 Summer Stars. The performances of these two Spanish center-backs in this World Cup are perfectly represented by FC 26's card data. How to Obtain Cards So how do we obtain these top-tier player cards with high OVR in Summer Stars? First, players can use FC 26 coins to unlock exclusive Summer Stars card packs to directly draw the aforementioned top players. This is also available through SBCs. FUT 26 is expected to gradually release multiple sets of World Cup-themed challenge missions. Players may be able to exchange these player cards or other high-value rewards by completing the missions as required. In addition, Evolutions system will receive a Summer Stars-themed update. Eligible player cards can receive stat boosts or new PlayStyles by completing specific evolution paths, providing players with more customization options for their existing lineups. Overall, whether considering its strength or nostalgia, FC 26 Summer Stars is well worth your time and effort.

How has your College Football 27 experience been after the first week? Are you racking up wins, or are you constantly plagued by defeat? If it's the latter, you need to take action immediately, as this will hinder your progress and rewards in the game. To help you overcome winning anxiety, we are providing comprehensive tips for victory based on various on-field actions, such as defense, offense, and more. Passing techs Executing advanced offensive or defensive plays requires seamless coordination with your teammates; without it, you cannot properly set up your formations. Therefore, mastering the passing game is the absolute first step toward victory. In NCAA 27, there are two main passing methods you need to know. The first is Bullet Pass; to execute this, hold down the button corresponding to the receiver. This launches the ball quickly, ensuring a flat, powerful trajectory. The second is Lob Pass. By tapping the receiver's corresponding button, the ball stays in the air longer and follows a high, arcing trajectory. These methods suit different situations. Generally, you should prioritize Bullet Pass to get the ball to the target quickly. This method also allows the receiver to catch the ball in stride, maximizing the yards gained after the catch. Lob Pass is best used when your receiver is running a deep route, has beaten the defender, and is heading toward the end zone. In this scenario, you can use Lob Pass to drop the ball into the open space ahead of them. We also recommend familiarizing yourself with Run After Catch as an alternative option. This strategy allows your receiver to catch the ball while in motion and continue driving forward. Keep in mind that the actual controls for these passing techniques may vary depending on the device you are using, so be sure to practice and master them before using them in competitive matches. Running techs On NCAA 27 fields, players must always be ready to run, whether to receive a pass from a teammate or to react to an opponent's move. Among these movements, running the ball is a crucial skill that can be challenging to master. To execute this move successfully, the most important thing is not to accelerate the moment you get the ball; instead, you should first move into open space, allowing time for your teammates' blocks to develop before hitting the gas. In short, never accelerate behind the line of scrimmage; wait until you break into the second level or open field, where you have a chance to shake off defenders, before speeding up. This requires patience. Offensive strategies and formations Whether you are a novice or a veteran, relying on playbooks is the most reliable way to organize a systematic offense or defense. However, advanced players might opt for a more aggressive style to end games quickly and earn more NCAA 27 coins in a shorter time. If, however, you fall into the category of players with limited current ability, as mentioned earlier, it is best to stick to steady, easy-to-master strategies, such as Y-Sale play. In this play, your main task is to assign a hot route to a wide receiver. To do this, select the receiver's icon, bring up the options menu on the right side of the screen, and choose the specific route you want him to run. We generally recommend Drag route. It allows the player to cut across the field over a short distance, making it effective against both man-to-man and zone defenses. When executing this route, first observe the running back's movement toward the flank, then shift your focus to the receiver running the crossing route. If the running back is open, use Bullet Pass and RAC mentioned earlier to get him the ball and gain steady yardage, rather than attempting a risky deep ball that could easily fail. If the running back is covered, shift your attention to the receiver in the middle of the field. If both options are blocked, you can also look to the tight end in the backfield for a breakthrough. Building on these strategies, aim to simplify your controls while ensuring you can quickly read the defense and advance the ball. Best defensive formations Now that you've learned the offense, it's time to master defensive techniques in EA CFB 27! You should focus on three key defensive formations: Tampa 2, Cover 2 Man, and Cover 3. Among these, Cover 2 Man is particularly well-suited for NCAA 27 meta game. This defensive scheme employs man-to-man coverage across the board while keeping two safeties deep to guard the backfield; it is arguably the most reliable defensive strategy available. Your role is to key in on the opposing running back. If he runs a pass route, stick close to him and look for a chance to break up the pass; if he stays in the backfield to block, you can hold the middle of the field, ready to jump into a passing lane for an interception. The strength of Tampa 2 formation lies in forcing the opponent to rely on short, piecemeal passes; once they lose patience and rashly throw into heavily defended areas, you can easily capitalize on interception opportunities. When running this formation, focus on the hook zone on the side where the running back is positioned; this ensures you can quickly cut in and join the play if the running back attempts a run. However, if the opponent opts to pass, you must hold your zone and be ready to cover receivers who break open later in the play. As for Cover 3, there are actually many variations, but Cover 3 Sky and Cover 3 Cloud are generally the most dependable choices, as they allow for an all-out zone approach. Alternatively, you could try Aggressive Zones feature introduced in College Football 27. It makes your underneath zones more aggressive, effectively countering opponents who favor a dink-and-dunk passing attack. We hope these tips help you turn the tide and secure more victories in your future College Football 27 matches! Good luck!