Players Returning to Ultimate Team in FC 26!

FC 26 is almost here and we’ll be seeing some familiar faces make an appearance in Ultimate Team once again. Despite not being in FC 25, these are the players that could potentially be back for FC 26. Please note, nothing is confirmed these are just players that *should* be back, based on their new club.

Players Returning to FC 26!

Zlatan Ibrahimovic

He’s back. The big name of the Icon class of 26 is Zlatan Ibrahimovic, his new FC 26 card is already on FUTBIN and looks sensational. I hope you like looking at this card, because that’s the best you’ll get, there’s not a chance we’re packing him in the Pre Order pack.

Thiago Almada

Thiago Almada began the 2024/25 season with Botafogo after leaving MLS, no Brazilian League licensing in FC 25 meant no Almada. The Argentine should return to Ultimate Team after signing for Atletico Madrid this summer.

Richard Rios

After a great Club World Cup campaign with Palmeiras, Rios was snapped up by Benfica and looks to be a great starter card in FC 26. Many of you may this this is his first card, but he has made one appearance back in FIFA 22 playing for Mazatlan.

Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting

The man with the greatest agent in football is back. Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting has been playing in MLS for Red Bulls since January 2025 so should be back for FC 26. We can’t be expecting anything crazy, but we’re sure he’ll see a promo card or a few TOTWs throughout the year.

Paul Pogba

Paul Pogback. The French midfielders football ban has finally been lifted and he’s signed with Ligue 1 team Monaco. Eric Dier, Ansu Fati and Paul Pogba all in the same lineup is an interesting one for sure. The game isn’t even out yet but we can only imagine that Pogba will be one of the most Evolved cards in FC 26.

Ivan Persic

Despite being at PSV for almost a year, we didn’t see Ivan Perisic feature in FC 25, even though plenty of new cards were added in the Holiday Update… He had a good season with PSV which included a couple of UCL goals against Juventus, again should be a solid card for Evolutions!

Carlos Alcaraz

This was the first name on my list for returning players as Everton fans would not leave our comments section if he was in line for a TOTW last year. Well in FC 26 he can be, after a loan to Flamengo last year he was ineligible to appear in 25, but should be back for The Toffees this game cycle.

Douglas Costa

I’ve had Douglas Costa on my list of returning players for three years running now but they just won’t add the Sydney FC winger to the game. In FC 24 he was playing for LA Galaxy, no appearance, FC 25 he was playing for Sydney FC, still no appearance… He’s still playing for Sydney in the A-League, so surely this is the year he returns? 

Dele

This is a bit of a sticky one, Dele wasn’t in FC 25 after being a free agent up until January 2025 where he joined Como. We were looking forward to seeing him back in Ultimate Team, but as of this week his contract with Como has been terminated and he remains without a club. It may have been early enough to see him at least in the Database for 26, but likely won’t be in packs. 

Steven Nzonzi

Back in his Stoke days Steven Nzonzi had a great early card, it may have been non-rare, but it was extremely well rounded and great for those first few months. Well not only is he back in Ultimate Team, but back at Stoke. After a year playing in Iran, the Frenchman should be back for FC 26!

Which players are you looking forward to using the most?