FC 26 Daily Report: Pepe’s Upgrade, Mbappe’s POTM Race, and Thompson SBC Leak

As the Foundation Event continues into its second day, FC 26 players are greeted with a mix of SBCs, evolution options, and leaked special cards. While not every update will drastically shift the meta, the latest report offers several key details worth noting, especially for players balancing their squads in the crucial early weeks of the game.

The first SBC of the day is centered around Retegui. On the surface, the challenge looks affordable, costing under 10,000 FC 26 coins. However, the card suffers from chemistry restrictions and average attributes for a striker. With only three-star skill moves and three-star weak foot, Retegui does not bring the flair or consistency needed in the central attacking role. Even his shooting, rated at 87, cannot offset his lack of pace and versatility. Many gold cards available on the market easily outperform him, making this SBC more of a trap than an opportunity.

In contrast, the bronze and silver card exchange SBCs are simple yet rewarding tasks. These can be completed once per day and refresh every seven days. By exchanging lower-tier cards, players can secure valuable rare silvers or bronzes, which often serve as hidden gems for future evolutions. These upgrades might not shine immediately but could prove essential as more powerful evolution pathways are unlocked throughout the season.

Evolution content for today introduces a new Long Pass evolution path. Limited to players rated 82 or below, the system allows up to three upgrades per card, capped at four overall. The evolution strongly benefits midfielders or attack-minded players who can take advantage of improved passing. Still, the advice remains clear: patience pays off. With EA continuing to roll out fresh evolutions, waiting until the end of the cycle may reveal better combinations or stronger candidates for the upgrade.

Tasks also bring the Flashback Rush mode, where players can grind for small packs and seasonal XP. While the rewards may not look glamorous at first glance, in the early stage of the game, every pack and every bit of progression contributes to building a competitive squad. It’s an opportunity worth seizing daily.

On the real-world football side, results from the weekend have already begun to impact Ultimate Team. Nicolas Pepe earned a +1 upgrade after Villarreal’s 1–0 victory, strengthening his early-game usability. Even as a substitute, his improved pace and finishing make him a practical option for budget squads. Meanwhile, Kylian Mbappe continues to dominate the conversation around the Ligue 1 Player of the Month award. With another goal in the Madrid derby, his tally has risen to eight for the season, putting him firmly ahead of the competition. Should EA release a POTM SBC, players can expect astronomical costs. His base gold card already trades around four million coins; a boosted POTM version could climb into the 600,000–700,000 FC 26 coin range or even higher, restricting access to only the wealthiest or most dedicated players.

Leaks for new cards add another layer of excitement. The most notable is Lauren Thompson of Chelsea Women, positioned as a left-winger but versatile enough to cover both flanks. With four-star skills, three-star weak foot, and balanced stats—88 pace, 80 shooting, and 86 dribbling—Thompson looks like a strong addition for squads needing chemistry links to Chelsea Women’s stars such as Lauren James. Her set of four special traits makes her even more appealing as an attacking option. Alongside her, two additional cards have surfaced: Prince from the NWSL, a striker boasting 86 pace and 86 dribbling, and a Saudi-based player whose relevance may be limited outside specific objectives. These appear to be tied to either objectives or minor SBCs, providing depth but not necessarily meta-defining power.

Taken together, today’s updates are less about flashy breakthroughs and more about incremental growth. Pepe’s boost, Mbappe’s dominance, and Thompson’s leak all carry potential for squad development, while the bronze and silver exchanges quietly set the stage for long-term planning. The key for players is balance—engaging with daily content without overspending, while keeping an eye on future opportunities that could define the early season meta.