Building a starter squad in FC26 can be tricky, especially with how quickly the market shifts in the first few weeks. Many players waste coins on overpriced cards early on, only to watch their value crash days later. Today’s breakdown covers key FC26 market tips to help plan smarter starter squads and avoid common mistakes.

Avoid Overpaying for Premier League Cards

The Premier League always brings hype, but it comes at a premium. Players like Micky van de Ven and Davinson Sánchez will cost far more in the opening weeks compared to equally strong options from other leagues.

For example, last year van de Ven started at 40,000–50,000 coins due to his pace but dropped heavily within weeks. Meanwhile, similar-rated defenders like Roger Ibañez sat at just 5,000 coins. Choosing budget-friendly alternatives early on allows more flexibility to trade, invest, and improve squads without wasting coins.

Recognize Overhyped Starter Cards

Every year, the community gravitates toward “cheap beasts,” but many of them are overpriced at launch. Cards like Omar Marmoush, with his standout stats, will start at 75,000–100,000 coins. Instead, players with similar attributes — such as Kladar Matai — often cost less than half and deliver comparable performance.

The same goes for transfers like Hugo Ekitiké at Liverpool. While his move will inflate demand, holding off for a week or two can save 10,000–15,000 coins as his price stabilizes. Avoiding early hype buys leaves room to invest in undervalued players before their prices rise.

\Focus on Untradeable Rewards Early

Untradeable packs are often overlooked but can protect against early-game losses. FC25 proved that buying expensive cards for launch squads often leads to huge drops within days. For instance, Jérémy Doku dropped from 17,000 coins to 4,000 in just 10 days despite being a meta option.

Instead, stacking untradeable rewards and SBC packs builds a starter team without draining the budget. This strategy keeps coins available for mid-game trading and larger investments once prices stabilize.

Smarter Investments for the FC26 Market

Beyond avoiding overpriced cards, target players with growth potential. Early Team of the Week cards, icons, and heroes often see steady gains. For example, Karim Adeyemi was one of FC25’s best TOTW investments, climbing from 80,000 coins to 150,000 in under two weeks.

Also, tracking demand spikes can help identify players like Alexander Isak, who rise as rewards and coins flow into the market. Combining these smart picks with database research ensures better returns while keeping squads competitive without overspending.