However, these cards don't level up with the matches, so should you go all in? Also, the official announcement just confirmed that the friendly match mode is down, so those wanting to play weekly ranked matches can go for it. The Nintendo Switch demo ends today, so if you haven't joined yet, EA Play is still available. This article will help you understand today's trending topics and available slots; reading it before logging in won't hurt.


🏆 Riding the World Cup wave, FC 26 sales exploded!

Benefiting from the "The World's Game" exclusive update and the synchronized progress of the World Cup schedule, FC 26 topped the UK physical game sales charts last week. The real-world goal celebrations directly boosted the number of online players in the game. Meanwhile, the free full-version trial for Switch/Switch 2 platforms officially ended today (June 25th). Players who missed the trial need not despair—the game is now available on EA Play, and XGP Ultimate members can directly claim the base game and also get a "Supercharge Pack," essentially free starting capital.

📌 Who is this section suitable for & its value: Suitable for new players still undecided about whether to jump in, and for Switch dual-platform users. It helps you understand that "it's not too late to get on board, and there are multiple free paths," saving you the regret of missing the trial.

⏰ Set your alarm for 2:30 AM tomorrow! 98 Messi makes a surprise appearance in "Glory Hunters," but these cards have a fatal flaw… According to multiple data miners including FutSheriff and FutZone, the new promo event "Glory Hunters" will launch at 2:30 AM Beijing time (6:30 PM UTC) on June 26th. The leaked card pool has already raised expectations to the max:

98 OVR CAM – Messi (Argentina)

97 OVR ST – Dembele (France)

97 OVR CB – Van Dijk (Netherlands)

97 OVR CAM – Neymar (Brazil)

But there's a major twist! Unlike previous "Path to Glory" events where "player performance equals points"—this time, the "Glory Hunters" cards have fixed stats that don't dynamically change with the actual World Cup results. This means they aren't "investment items," but rather "ready-to-use" endgame cards. If you have gold coins or green points in hand, tomorrow morning's login window will be the best time to open packs; conversely, if you're hoping for a player to pull off an upset and then buy them at a higher price, this is a no-go.

📌 Who is this section suitable for & its value: Suitable for hardcore FUT players, transfer market speculators, and hoarders who are torn between opening packs now or waiting for the knockout stage. It helps you bridge the information gap, avoid misjudging investment potential, and provides clear timing for action.

🚨 Urgent Warning! Official Confirmation: Friendlies Mode "Collectively Shut Down" Today
A reminder from the official account @EASFCDirect is worth reading: Club Friendlies mode is currently experiencing widespread connection problems, manifesting as infinite loading, high latency, or inability to enter rooms. But don't panic—Rivals and Champions are completely normal, with smooth matchmaking. The official fix schedule hasn't been released yet, so the wise move today is to skip the friendly matches and focus on the weekly tournament to climb the ranks, or take this opportunity to experience the single-player manager mode – avoiding pitfalls and saving time.

📌 Who this section is for & its value: Suitable for all online players, especially those who habitually use friendly matches to warm up or complete tasks. Its core value lies in "saving you 30 minutes of wasted queuing time" and providing a clear alternative path.

🎮 Don't want to mindlessly climb the ranks? These two "anti-routine" gameplay modes have recently seen a surge in searches.

If repetitive Rivals matches are getting boring, these two new gameplay modes that have recently seen a surge in searches on Google and YouTube are worth trying:

FUT "Challenge" – a cure for "one-size-fits-all" strategies.

In this mode, you need to play up to 5 matches, but each match requires a completely different starting 11 plus a bench (a total of 26 players). This directly eliminates the strategy of "relying on two or three top stars to win," forcing you to explore the depth of your lineup, which greatly tests your team building strategy and on-the-spot adjustments. "Real-Time Manager Challenge"—Single-Player Players Finally Stand Up! The Manager Career mode adds dynamic scenarios, such as taking over a team on the brink of relegation or in the final stretch of the title race, and even recreating legendary seasons (like a team that staged a comeback to win the championship). Completing missions unlocks retro jerseys and exclusive rewards, directly surpassing the reputation of previous modes.

📌 Who this section is for & its value: Suitable for casual players and single-player enthusiasts tired of the competitive ranked ladder and seeking a fresh experience. It offers two "easy-to-play but fun" gameplay directions to help you rediscover the game's freshness.

🕹️ Changed the feel? Archetypes + Dual Presets let you play two completely different styles of football. This year's controls have two major hidden changes that many players haven't noticed yet:

Player Archetypes: In Club and Player Career modes, you can select "archetypes" based on the styles of legendary players (such as Ronaldo and Zidane) to develop your custom players, completely eliminating the need for generic attribute point allocation templates.

Dual Presets: Competitive/Realistic: FUT and Club Modes default to the "Competitive Preset"—fast-paced, direct physical confrontation, and more exciting; while Career Mode uses the "Realistic Preset"—more composed defender AI positioning and passing rhythm closer to real broadcasts, suitable for players who appreciate tactical details.

📌 Who this section is for & its value: Suitable for all players who demand a good feel for the controls, especially those who create their own players in Club Mode and hardcore Manager Mode users. It helps you quickly find your preferred control level, reducing trial and error costs.

💡 Tips at the end: What should you do today?

FUT players: Set your alarm for 2:30 AM tomorrow, prepare your coins/green points, and wait for the "Glory Hunter" launch pack; don't waste your time in friendly matches tonight.

New/Returning players: Check your EA Play or XGP eligibility, get the game and launch pack for free, and jump right in.

Single-player/Manager gamers: Try the "Real-time Manager Challenge" after the update to experience the best single-player content of the year and get a retro jersey.

All players: Follow @EASFCDirect for notifications on friendly match fixes; please avoid this area until the fix is ​​implemented.

🎯 Summary: What did different players gain today?

User Types | Today's Core Benefits

FUT Heavy Spenders/Grinders: Get early access to tomorrow morning's new card pool information, avoid "investment traps," and accurately plan your pack opening timing.

Free/Low-Spenders: Understand the EA Play/XGP free-to-play paths, start with bundles, and catch up with the main group without spending a penny.

Casual/Single-Players: Enjoy two new gameplay modes: Challenge Mode and Manager Mode, get rid of ranking anxiety, and rediscover pure fun.

Online Players: Clearly understand server outage boundaries, avoid pitfalls, and ensure your ranked and weekly tournament progress is unaffected.

Information-Driven Players (Spectators): Get a complete overview of trending events, gaining social conversation topics and decision-making information.

One-Sentence Summary: Grab cards tomorrow morning, don't play tournaments today; try new gameplay modes, don't forget to get freebies. Good luck opening packs!
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