Winter Wildcards are shaping up to be one of the biggest promotions in EA Sports FC 26 so far, with leaks suggesting the event will run for three weeks and bring a steady stream of high-profile SBCs. After a quieter stretch with Joga Bonito and Unbreakables acting more like filler promos following the Thunderstruck Black Friday event, the community hype is finally picking up again.
A major reason for that renewed excitement is the leaked return of “Best of” re-releases in packs. According to multiple sources, some of the strongest cards from earlier promos will be available again, including the 96-rated Thunderstruck Maradona, 92-rated Thunderstruck Jude Bellingham, and the 92-rated Star Performer Kylian Mbappé. With those names back in packs, Winter Wildcards already feels like a true end-of-year power curve moment.
Leaked Winter Wildcards SBC players
Alongside the pack content, several Squad Building Challenges have reportedly been leaked, giving players clear targets to grind towards during the promo. The leaked list mixes meta attackers, flexible midfielders, and high-value goalkeepers, plus repeatable Icon SBCs.
Leaked player SBCs
- 🇸🇪 Alexander Isak
- 🇫🇷 Kadidiatou Diani
- 🇦🇷 Paulo Dybala
- 🇧🇪 Thibaut Courtois
- 🇬🇭 Mohammed Kudus
- 🇬🇧 Joe Gomez
- 🇩🇪 Emre Can
Alexander Isak is already generating plenty of discussion after his leaked Winter Wildcards card surfaced. The Swedish striker looks set to offer a strong mix of pace, shooting, and dribbling, which could make him a popular option for Premier League squads if the SBC price lands in a reasonable range.
Dybala and Kudus stand out as creative attackers who could fit multiple squad types, while Diani’s inclusion continues EA’s trend of giving top-tier women’s footballers prominent promo SBCs. Courtois provides a potential premium goalkeeper option, and Joe Gomez and Emre Can both offer versatility that usually plays well with the community, especially during long promos where squad rotation matters.
Icon SBCs returning during Winter Wildcards
In addition to player SBCs, two Icon-focused challenges are also rumored to arrive during the promo.
Leaked Icon SBCs
- ⚪️ 87+ Base Icon SBC
- ⚪️ 87+ Base or Thunderstruck Icon SBC
These SBCs are expected to be repeatable and could become major fodder sinks if Best of cards push pack weight and club inventory higher. The inclusion of Thunderstruck Icons in particular raises the ceiling significantly and adds another layer of excitement, even if the risk remains high.
Could Winter Wildcards change the current meta
If these leaks hold true, Winter Wildcards could mark a turning point in FC 26’s cycle. With strong SBC content, elite re-releases in packs, and a three-week duration, the promo has the potential to refresh the meta and reward players who have been holding onto fodder since Thunderstruck.
As always, all details remain unofficial until EA confirms them in-game, but based on the leaked SBC list and the rumored Best of re-releases, Winter Wildcards is already looking far more impactful than the promos that came before it.
