FC 26 Weekly Update: “Rating Reload” Event Leaks—Son Heung-min, Rodman, and Guler Headline the Next Wave

EA Sports FC 26 is once again heating up with a major mid-October content drop. According to multiple reliable community sources, the game is about to receive a combination of squad updates, SBC challenges, and a brand-new themed event—Rating Reload. With leaks revealing boosted versions of fan-favorite players like Son Heung-min, Rodman, and Güler, this week is shaping up to be one of the most content-packed since launch.

TOTW 4 Arrives: High-Value Cards Dominate the Market

The new Team of the Week 4 (TOTW 4) lineup went live on October 8, with its roster matching previous leaks almost perfectly. The headline players this week include Caicedo (approx. 200K FC 26 coins), Diaz (around 180K), and Guimaraes (roughly 50K).

Top-tier gold cards remain expensive and highly sought after, confirming that the in-game market continues to prioritize midfield balance and defensive stability. Meanwhile, most other inclusions have settled near discard prices—ideal pickups for casual players looking to fill roster gaps affordably.

SBC Updates: Cost Efficiency Becomes the Key Factor

Three new Squad Building Challenges (SBCs) arrived today, each appealing to different segments of the player base.

Leading the list is RON, a left-wing attacker from the NWSL (Women’s Super League). With solid base stats—89 pace, 80+ in shooting, passing, and dribbling, and 82 physical—she looks serviceable on paper. However, her 3-star skill moves and 3-star weak foot make her less competitive in higher tiers. Unless you’re specifically chasing chemistry links with U.S. women’s teams, this SBC may not justify the resource cost.

Given the ongoing wave of content drops, fodder prices have started fluctuating again. For players looking to complete premium SBCs efficiently, using resources like FC 26 coins can be a strategic move. This allows flexible market budgeting and ensures you don’t miss out on time-limited challenges featuring long-term valuable cards.

Hero Pack Re-Release: Familiar Rewards, Diminished Hype

The 86+ Hero Upgrade Pack is back with identical requirements to last week’s version—86-rated squad, 85-rated squad, one 87-rated card, and one TOTW inclusion. However, enthusiasm for this rerun is notably lower. Many players were disappointed by the first batch, as most packs yielded low-value or outdated heroes.

Consequently, while fodder prices have seen a temporary uptick, most players are holding onto their high-rated cards for future SBCs rather than gambling again. The general sentiment is that the pack’s risk-to-reward ratio simply isn’t worth it this time.

“Rating Reload” Event Leaks: A Star-Studded Two-Week Campaign

Perhaps the most exciting revelation this week is the upcoming “Rating Reload” event, set to launch this Friday and run for two full weeks. Unlike previous years, when the second major event featured dynamic UEFA cards (RTTK), EA appears to have shifted direction entirely for FC 26.

The leaked roster includes an impressive lineup:

• Alvarez, Ollie Watkins, McTominay, Eze, Son Heung-min, Rodman, Romero, Cucurella, Ekitiqe, Salma, Kouassi, and Thauvin, among others.
• Female players from clubs like Bayern Munich and Arsenal will also receive special upgrades.

Overall, the chemistry and versatility across these cards seem strong, giving players multiple viable team-building routes. The event appears designed to enhance the game’s tactical depth by providing small rating boosts paired with powerful new traits.

Upcoming SBC Leaks: Guler, Aguerd, and Mateta

Several new SBC players have also been confirmed via leaks:

• Arda Guler (Real Madrid) – A highly technical midfielder expected to feature top-tier dribbling and set-piece precision.
• Nayef Aguerd (Marseille) – A solid Moroccan center-back ideal for mid-budget defenses.
• Jean-Philippe Mateta (Crystal Palace) – A physically strong French striker with decent all-around stats but slightly low pace.

All three SBCs are expected to be moderately priced, with Guler likely to attract the most attention due to his Real Madrid chemistry and future upgrade potential. Players planning to complete these challenges should prepare their resources in advance—or use FC 26 coins to quickly obtain the necessary high-rated cards without market delays.

League SBCs on the Horizon: Four Superstars Incoming

Beyond “Rating Reload,” EA is also preparing a new wave of League SBCs, each featuring one top player from the major European leagues:

• Serie A: Christian Pulisic (October 9)
• Premier League: Erling Haaland (October 10)
• Bundesliga: Harry Kane (next week)
• Ligue 1: Vitinha (week after)

These SBCs will release sequentially over the next two weeks. If the price-to-performance ratio is right, they could become some of the most popular items of the season. Pulisic and Haaland, in particular, are expected to receive meaningful pace and finishing upgrades—making them both meta-relevant and worth the grind.

Confirmed Player Upgrades: Son and Alvarez Get Strong Buffs

Official data leaks have confirmed that several high-profile cards are receiving buffs:

• Julian Alvarez: Gains the Golden Touch playstyle and a full +1 overall upgrade.
• Son Heung-min: Retains his 5★ weak foot with improved pace and finishing—remaining one of the most dominant attackers in the Premier League.
• Rodman: Receives minor but impactful stat boosts, cementing her role as a top-tier winger in the women’s circuit.

Compared to the first in-game event of FC 26, Rating Reload looks more ambitious. Most players will see at least one upgraded playstyle or meaningful stat boost, improving both usability and diversity in competitive modes.

Final Thoughts: Market Volatility and Preparation Strategy

With TOTW 4 live, SBC rotations rolling in, and “Rating Reload” around the corner, the FC 26 ecosystem is entering a period of high volatility. Fodder prices are climbing, investors are reallocating resources, and players are beginning to rebuild lineups to match the evolving meta.

For competitive or casual managers alike, timing and resource management will define success this week. Holding onto key cards, saving packs, and leveraging FC 26 coins for targeted SBC completions could make the difference between keeping up with the meta—or falling behind.

As the community counts down to Friday’s full event reveal, anticipation is high. If the leaked stats hold true, Rating Reload could easily become FC 26’s first truly transformative update of the season.