If EA opens FC 26 with special items for Kylian Mbappé, Erling Haaland, and Micky van de Ven, the early game shifts instantly. Mbappé and Haaland are the two most feared marquee attackers in the game, they set the top end of the market, they decide what defenders you must run, and they dictate how opponents defend transitions. Van de Ven brings something just as scary at the back, recovery speed that lets you play a high line without getting burned by simple through balls. If he receives an early in-form boost, his pace and defensive numbers put him straight into the elite Premier League centre-back pool.
For FC 26 players waiting to build their first proper squads, these three are the headline chase cards. Mbappé gives you breakaway pace, left-right flexibility, and premium LaLiga and France links. Haaland gives you ruthless finishing, strength, and Premier League chemistry that fits almost any early meta build. Van de Ven, as a rapid left-footed LCB, unlocks aggressive defending with instant recovery. The rest of our prediction rounds out the usual Week 1 mix across the top five leagues, plus one or two smart picks from smaller competitions.
Why Mbappé, Haaland and van de Ven are week-one game-changers
Kylian Mbappé, Real Madrid: The first special Mbappé of the cycle always sets the tone. A boosted Mbappé gives you blistering pace, elite dribbling, and top tier finishing, which turns counterattacks into high-percentage chances. He fits both wing and striker roles, he links into strong LaLiga and France cores, and his price tends to define the ceiling of the early market. If you pack him, you can either anchor your attack for weeks or fund an entire squad by listing him at the right time.
Erling Haaland, Manchester City: Haaland’s profile is tailor-made for early FC 26, clinical finishing, power, and constant central presence. An early in-form usually bumps the key shooting and physical stats just enough that he becomes nearly impossible to stop in the box. Premier League links make team building easy, and he pairs well with pacey wide players who feed him early crosses or cut-backs.
Micky van de Ven, Tottenham Hotspur: Speed at centre-back is king in Week 1. Van de Ven’s acceleration and top speed let you recover after missed tackles, which is the difference between a rage quit and a kickoff. A left-footed LCB with a pace boost also opens clean chemistry routes with Premier League full-backs and midfield trios. If he gets into TOTW, expect his price to be volatile at first, then to settle at a premium as players feel the impact on defense.
Our prediction for Team of the Week – 1 in FC 26
Goalkeepers
- Nick Pope (Newcastle United): Clean sheet and key early saves in a gritty 1‑0 win.
- Gregor Kobel (Borussia Dortmund): Commanding shutout in a 2‑0 away victory, calm under pressure.
Defenders
- Micky van de Ven (Tottenham Hotspur): Scored and kept a clean sheet in a 3‑0 London derby win.
- Giorgio Scalvini (Atalanta): Opened the scoring in a 4‑1 win, dominant aerially.
- Sam Beukema (Napoli): Debut goal in a 3‑1 away win, solid on first contact.
- Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool): Led a late 1‑0 clean sheet, strong in duels and organization.
- Marco Friedl (Werder Bremen): Marshalled a 4‑0 away clean sheet, tidy progression from the back.
Midfielders
- Aitana Bonmatí (Barcelona, Liga F) brace vs DUX Logroño
- Hakan Çalhanoğlu (Inter): Two long‑range strikes in defeat, individual excellence stands out.
- Luka Modrić (AC Milan): Match‑winner in a cagey 1‑0, tempo control all night.
- Nico González (Atlético Madrid): Powerful header to seal a much‑needed 2‑0 win.
- Stijn Spierings (Brøndby IF): Derby winner versus FCK, perfect small‑league representative.
- Maximilian Arnold (Wolfsburg): Goal and an assist in a wild 3‑3, set‑piece masterclass.
Forwards
- Kylian Mbappé (Real Madrid): Goal and assist in a 2‑1 win while down to ten, superstar impact.
- Erling Haaland (Manchester City): Derby brace in a 3‑0 statement win.
- Robert Lewandowski (Barcelona): Came on to score twice in a 6‑0 rout.
- Bradley Barcola (Paris Saint‑Germain): Clinical brace in a 2‑0 victory, constant threat from range.
- Jaden Philogene (Ipswich Town): Hat‑trick in a 5‑0 demolition, EFL spotlight pick.
- Ricardo Pepi (PSV Eindhoven): Brace in a 5‑3 away thriller, Eredivisie representative.
- Thomas Müller (Vancouver Whitecaps): Birthday hat‑trick in a 7‑0 MLS blowout, narrative and numbers.
- Steven Bergwijn (Al Ittihad): Two first‑half goals in a 4‑2 win, SPL showcase.
- Giovanni Simeone (Torino): Stunning winner in a 1‑0 away upset.
- Alessia Russo (Arsenal, WSL) brace in 5-1 at West Ham
The first TOTW will be in packs from Wednesday in FC 26.
