Cornerstones is the first post–Early Access campaign in EA Sports FC 26 Ultimate Team. It celebrates the players clubs are built around, leaders, pivotal long-term signings, and breakout talents who became essential to their teams. These special items arrive with permanent upgrades and an enhanced +2 Club Chemistry link, making them true anchors for squad building.
Players
Cornerstones will feature more than 40 special players (excluding ICONs), released across two main squads and additional engagement content. We’ll keep an updated list of all Cornerstones players right here as they are revealed.
Team 1
- GK: Brad Guzan
- CB: Gianluca Mancini
- CB: Wendie Renard
- RB: Giovanni Di Lorenzo
- CDM: Ryan Yates
- CDM: Denise O’Sullivan
- CAM: Bruno Fernandes
- CM: Corentin Tolisso
- CM: Marten de Roon
- CM: Federico Valverde
- RM: Riccardo Orsolini
- LM: Luis Díaz
- LM: Nico Williams
- CAM: Malik Tillman
- CAM: Cole Palmer
- ST: Lauri
- ST: Oyarzabal
Team 2
- ST: Cristiano Ronaldo
- CB: Willi Orban
- GK: Jordan Pickford
- CM: Marten de Roon
- LB: Christian Günter
- RM: Carles Gil
- RB: Trent Alexander-Arnold
- CB: Millie Bright
- CAM: Angel Gomes
- CM: Kim Little
- CM: Khéphren Thuram
- CM: Angelo Stiller
- ST: Karim Adeyemi
- CAM: Florian Wirtz
- CAM: Claudia Pina
- LB: Balde
- CAM: Maghnes Akliouche
- LB: Jade Le Guilly
- CB: Elisabeth Terland
- CM: João Neves
Launch Window
Cornerstones kicks off as the first campaign immediately after Early Access, following the opening beats like TOTW 1–2, Evolutions, and early SBCs. If you’re starting during launch week, expect Cornerstones content to land right after the Early Access period closes.
What Makes Cornerstones Different?
- Permanent Upgrades: Cornerstones items receive lasting stat boosts tuned for Season 1’s slower power curve, keeping base items (Golds, ICONs, Heroes) relevant longer while expanding squad-building options.
- +2 Club Chemistry Links: These items add stronger in-club connections, helping you reach full chem with fewer compromises — ideal when mixing leagues or nation links is tricky.
- Campaign Identity: Cornerstones specifically spotlights “team bedrocks,” distinct from pacey promo one-offs. Expect items chosen for importance to their club context, not just raw stats.
How Cornerstones Fits the Season 1 Philosophy
EA is slowing the power curve for FC 26. Weekly campaigns (including Cornerstones) trend toward more lateral boosts versus FC 25, with bigger leaps reserved for tentpoles like TOTY or TOTS. Rewards across modes and SBC tuning match this measured progression so that early squads don’t get power-crept too quickly. Cornerstones is calibrated for this approach.
How to Get Cornerstones Players
You will be able to obtain Cornerstones players through:
- Packs: Available during the campaign in Ultimate Team packs.
- Objectives: Seasonal and time-limited Cornerstones challenges.
- SBCs: Special Squad Building Challenges tied to the campaign.
- Market: Buy or sell Cornerstones items on the transfer market.
Cornerstones Exhibition Live Event
The Cornerstones Exhibition is a limited-time live event in FC 26 Ultimate Team, available in both solo and co-op. To participate, players must include at least one Evolutions Player Item (either in-progress or fully completed) in their squad. The event is designed to showcase your evolving stars and compete against others in a special exhibition format.
Cornerstones Exhibition is part of the larger Cornerstones program and will rotate in the live events tab alongside other themed competitions like Ultimate Gauntlet and World Tour Silver Superstars League. Keep an eye on the in-game timer for when the event goes live and be prepared to field your best Evolution players.
Why They Matter
Cornerstones gives early Ultimate Team squads unique “club anchors” that provide both performance boosts and chemistry solutions. They’re designed to feel rewarding without breaking the early meta, setting a foundation for long-term squad evolution.
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