EA Sports FC 26 introduced a new two tier Icon system featuring Debut Icons and Champion Icons. Here’s everything you need to know about when and how these legendary cards upgrade. Debut Icons feature a football icon at the beginning of their career, while Champion Icons showcase the player at the peak of their career. This system applies to the 12 new Icons joining FC 26, including highly requested legends like Zlatan Ibrahimović, Andrés Iniesta, Toni Kroos, and Alex Morgan.
Pre order Icons will be upgraded from their Debut version to their Champion version on November 27. This is a fixed date where all Debut Icons automatically convert to their higher rated Champion versions. Debut Icons will automatically switch to their Champion versions, there are no objectives or tasks required to acquire it. The upgrade happens to all Debut Icons you own starting from November 27, every Debut Icon you unbox will be upgraded to its Champion Icon form.
Here is a list of all icons and their upgrades that will roll out in November.
| Player Name | Debut ICON OVR | Champion ICON OVR |
| Andrés Iniesta | 86 | 92 |
| Zlatan Ibrahimović | 86 | 92 |
| Alex Morgan | 86 | 91 |
| Oliver Kahn | 86 | 91 |
| Toni Kroos | 86 | 90 |
| Caroline Seger | 86 | 90 |
| Giorgio Chiellini | 85 | 89 |
| Francesco Totti | 85 | 89 |
| Marcelo | 85 | 89 |
| Steffi Jones | 85 | 89 |
| Cha Bum-Kun | 85 | 88 |
| Sissi | 85 | 88 |
The upgrade system exists purely to balance out the power curve, if Ultimate Team players manage to grab a high rated Icon on day one, it’ll automatically put them leagues ahead of the competition. It would also create a uneven playing field with players who preorder the game getting a massive boost as compared to people who could not purchase it then. By delaying full strength Icons until November, EA maintains competitive balance in the early game cycle.
