FC 26: Best players list and top 40 ratings
The wait is over. EA FC 26's best players list has finally been unveiled, and just like last year, four elite stars share the top spot with an overall rating (OVR) of 91. Mohamed Salah, Kylian Mbappé, Alexia Putellas, and Aitana Bonmatí headline the rankings, setting the tone for another thrilling season of Ultimate Team and Career Mode.
With plenty of surprises, breakout stars, and big omissions, the FC 26 top 40 ratings give fans an early look at which cards will dominate the new season - and who might be in line for upgrades as form carries into 2026. For Ultimate Team players especially, this list will shape which cards are worth saving FC 26 Coins for or when it's smarter to buy EAFC 26 Coins to get ahead in the transfer market. Let's break down the full men's and women's player lists, along with key insights into what these ratings mean for gameplay.
FC 26 Best Men Players List
For the men's game, Mohamed Salah (Liverpool) and Kylian Mbappé (Real Madrid) headline with 91 OVR ratings. Both attackers are expected to be must-own cards in Ultimate Team, with pace, finishing, and dribbling stats that will tear apart defenses from Day One.
They're closely followed by Ousmane Dembélé (Paris SG), Rodri (Manchester City), and Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool), all sitting at 90 OVR. The mix of creative playmakers, defensive midfield generals, and rock-solid defenders reflects EA's emphasis on balance across Ultimate Team squads.
Barcelona fans will be excited to see Raphinha and teenage sensation Lamine Yamal both rated at 89 OVR, a massive statement of intent for the club's future. Meanwhile, Real Madrid dominates the midfield spots with Jude Bellingham, Federico Valverde, and Vinícius Júnior all among the elite.
Here's the full FC 26 Top 20 men's ratings:
1. Mohamed Salah (RM, Liverpool) - 91
2. Kylian Mbappé (ST, Real Madrid) - 91
3. Ousmane Dembélé (ST, Paris SG) - 90
4. Rodri (CDM, Manchester City) - 90
5. Virgil van Dijk (CB, Liverpool) - 90
6. Jude Bellingham (CAM, Real Madrid) - 90
7. Erling Haaland (ST, Manchester City) - 90
8. Raphinha (LM, Barcelona) - 89
9. Lamine Yamal (RM, Barcelona) - 89
10. Achraf Hakimi (RB, Paris SG) - 89
11. Vitinha (CM, Paris SG) - 89
12. Gianluigi Donnarumma (GK, Manchester City) - 89
13. Pedri (CM, Barcelona) - 89
14. Joshua Kimmich (CDM, Bayern Munich) - 89
15. Alisson Becker (GK, Liverpool) - 89
16. Harry Kane (ST, Bayern Munich) - 89
17. Federico Valverde (CM, Real Madrid) - 89
18. Vini Jr (LW, Real Madrid) - 89
19. Florian Wirtz (CAM, Liverpool) - 89
20. Thibaut Courtois (GK, Real Madrid) - 89
Just missing out are world-class strikers Robert Lewandowski (Barcelona), Lautaro Martínez (Inter Milan), and Alexander Isak (Liverpool), all with colossal 88 OVR ratings.
FC 26 Best Women Players List
On the women's side, Barcelona continues to dominate. Alexia Putellas and Aitana Bonmatí once again share the crown at 91 OVR, cementing their positions as the most technically gifted midfielders in the women's game.
Caroline Graham Hansen slots in third at 90 OVR, while Arsenal striker Alessia Russo rockets into the top four with an 89 OVR card - a reflection of her consistent form at both club and international level.
As with the men's list, defenders and goalkeepers are well-represented, with stars like Mapi León, Irene Paredes, and Christiane Endler anchoring the rankings. Manchester City's Khadija Shaw and Lyon's Marie Katoto lead the striking options, both boasting physicality and clinical finishing.
Here's the full FC 26 Top 20 women's ratings:
1. Alexia Putellas (CM, Barcelona) - 91
2. Aitana Bonmatí (CM, Barcelona) - 91
3. Caroline Graham Hansen (RW, Barcelona) - 90
4. Alessia Russo (ST, Arsenal) - 89
5. Mariona (CM, Arsenal) - 89
6. Patri Guijarro (CDM, Barcelona) - 89
7. Khadija Shaw (ST, Manchester City) - 89
8. Mapi León (CB, Barcelona) - 89
9. Marie Katoto (ST, Lyon) - 88
10. Kadidiatou Diani (RW, Lyon) - 88
11. Sophia Wilson (ST, Portland Thorns) - 88
12. Guro Reiten (LM, Chelsea) - 88
13. Ewa Pajor (ST, Barcelona) - 88
14. Christiane Endler (GK, Lyon) - 88
15. Debinha (CAM, KC Current) - 88
16. Irene Paredes (CB, Barcelona) - 88
17. Chloe Kelly (RM, Arsenal) - 87
18. Lindsay Heaps (CM, Lyon) - 87
19. Lucy Bronze (RB, Chelsea) - 87
20. Rose Lavelle (CM, Gotham FC) - 87
Key Takeaways From FC 26 Ratings
Four players at 91 OVR: Salah, Mbappé, Putellas, and Bonmatí lead the charge and are likely candidates for upgraded 99-OVR special cards later in the season.
·Barcelona's dominance: The Catalan club has a staggering number of top-ranked players in both men's and women's lists, proving their powerhouse status.
·Big boosts: Breakouts like Lamine Yamal, Raphinha, and Alessia Russo highlight how EA is rewarding form and potential.
·End of an era: Neither Lionel Messi nor Cristiano Ronaldo appears in the top 40, signaling a definitive generational shift.
·Fan feedback matters: EA has already opened the door for community responses, meaning these initial ratings could see tweaks before launch.
Final Thoughts
The FC 26 best players list sets the stage for one of the most competitive Ultimate Team environments yet. With a healthy mix of established stars, breakout talents, and club legends, the top 40 ratings are packed with variety.
Whether you're planning your starter squad for Ultimate Team or building your dream roster in Career Mode, knowing who the top-rated players are will give you a vital edge. Expect Salah, Mbappé, Putellas, and Bonmatí to dominate early squads, but keep an eye on rising stars like Yamal and Russo - both could be game-changers in the months ahead.