FIFA Ultimate Team fans were left stunned when a major glitch in FC 25 resulted in players receiving Erling Haaland’s 94-rated Winter Wildcard card for free. This unexpected event, reminiscent of past infamous glitches, has sparked widespread discussions in the FIFA community. Here’s everything you need to know about how the glitch happened, its impact on the market, and what players can expect moving forward.
How the Erling Haaland Glitch Happened
The glitch occurred in the “Season 4 Weekly Play Completionist Pack,” available as part of an objective. The pack was designed to reward players with a random Winter Wildcard or Winter Wildcard Hero. However, for about 90 minutes, the pack exclusively awarded the 94-rated Winter Wildcard Erling Haaland. This card, valued at approximately 1.2 million coins, became accessible to players who had not yet completed the objective from the previous week.
Players who opened the pack during the glitch received Haaland without any randomness, creating a surge of excitement among lucky recipients and frustration among others who had already completed the objective.
Market Impact of the Haaland Glitch
1. Haaland’s Market Value
Despite the influx of Haaland cards, his market value remained stable at around 1.2 million coins. This suggests that only a small percentage of players benefited from the glitch, as most had already opened their packs.
2. Rise in City Player Prices
Cards associated with Manchester City and Norwegian links saw increased demand. For example, players like Jeremy Doku and Kevin De Bruyne experienced noticeable price hikes as FUT managers scrambled to build squads featuring Haaland.
3. Minimal Impact on Other Winter Wildcard Prices
Interestingly, the glitch did not drastically affect the prices of other Winter Wildcard cards. While some cards like Kyle Walker and Trent Alexander-Arnold gained slight traction due to their popularity in SBCs, the overall market implications were limited.
EA’s Response and Compensation Plans
EA Sports quickly acknowledged the glitch and fixed it within an hour and a half. They announced plans to message impacted players in-game, hinting at potential compensation for those affected. However, this move has sparked controversy, with many questioning the need for compensation when players already received Haaland due to the glitch.
This situation follows a history of similar errors, such as the “Team of the Year Messi” glitch in FC 24, further highlighting EA’s struggle to maintain balance during high-stakes promos.
A Look at the Numeral Foot Promo
While the Haaland glitch dominated headlines, EA also introduced the “Numeral Foot” promo, focusing on player kit numbers. The promo includes a series of cards with significant upgrades, alongside SBCs and Evolution opportunities that players can explore.
1. Notable Numeral Foot Cards
- Robert Lewandowski: A boosted version with seven additional pace points.
- James Rodríguez: A fan-favorite card featuring five-star weak foot.
- Jonathan Tah: A powerhouse defender with incredible stats.
2. Pedro Neto SBC
The Pedro Neto SBC offers two versions of the player, catering to different playstyles:
- Finesse Plus Version: Focused on precision and shooting.
- Dribbling Plus Version: Enhanced agility and skill moves.
At just 144,000 coins, this SBC has become a popular choice among FUT players.
The Power of Evolutions in FC 25
EA introduced the “Remember Kyber” Evolution, a tribute to the FIFA 21 Showdown card. This Evolution allows players to boost their defenders with powerful playstyles like “Intercept Plus” and “Defender Plus.” Popular choices for this Evolution include:
- Kyle Walker: Transformed into a center-back option with boosted stats.
- Raphaël Varane: Elevated to meta status with additional defensive capabilities.