EA FC 26: 16 Best World Cup Free Agents for Your Career Mode

The World Cup is in full swing, and despite not releasing the standalone World Cup editions of FIFA like before, EA Sports has managed to find a way to bring the stars of the tournament to FC 26.

For Career Mode enthusiasts, the World Cup patches have been an early Christmas, since players called up who play for teams not in the game are added to the Free Agents tab. This is the perfect opportunity to reinforce your struggling Ligue 2 side, or shore up your title hopes without having to drop money you don't have.

The players listed here are ordered by their potential rather than their raw overall; there's no sense in signing a 33-year-old Neymar who can't play a full 90 and will retire within two seasons.

16 Sebastián Cáceres

75 Overall | 80 Potential

Cáceres is not your usual centerback. Standing at a relatively diminutive 5'11", he makes up for his vertical shortcomings with excellent defensive awareness and standing tackle stats.

His pace is nothing worth writing home about, but his positioning makes him perfect for three-man defences where someone else can handle the crosses.

15 Pedro Vite

75 Overall | 80 Potential

Despite being from Ecuador, Pedro Vite made his career in MLS before transferring to Liga MX last year.

He is a versatile midfielder with strong defensive, ball control, and passing skills, making him perfect to run a midfield. Vite's finishing stats are on the poor side, so while he can play as a 10, don't count on double digits every season.

14 Oswin Appollis

75 Overall | 80 Potential

South Africa isn't famous for its footballing prowess, but Appollis is one of the brightest products of the post-World Cup generation.

At 5'7", Appollis is your classic winger: quick, good crossing, strong finishing stats, and able to hold onto the ball under pressure.

13 Erik Lira

75 Overall | 80 Potential

One of Mexico's best defensive players, Erik Lira is the kind of sheriff you sign if your midfield is leaking like a sieve.

Despite being fairly short, Lira is quick, good at tackling, and boasts good passing stats, making him a strong candidate as a deep playmaker.

12 Danilo Santos

76 Overall | 80 Potential

Botafogo's recent history has been a nightmare, but Danilo has been one of the few bright spots there.

The defensive midfielder is a strong all-rounder, with good defensive stats to close down opponents while also being good at dribbling and passing.

11 Mauricio CAM 76, 80

76 Overall | 80 Potential

Born in Brazil, Maurício has become a key part of Abel Braga's Palmeiras since joining from Internacional.

The Paraguayan international is the archetypical Brazilian number 10: quick on the ball, strong dribbling, good finishing and passing, and not a lick of defensive talent.

10 Gonzalo Plata

78 Overall | 81 Potential

This hotheaded winger has played in three continents so far, but he has found a home in Flamengo since moving there in 2024.

Plata isn't a good finisher, but he excels out wide where his dribbling and pace, with 90 acceleration and 87 sprint speed, shine against most defenders.

9 Luiz Henrique

78 Overall | 81 Potential

Not to be mistaken with Inter's Luis Henrique, this winger was a late addition to Carlo Ancelotti's Brazil squad following a string of injuries.

Henrique is quick, has good ball control, but is also a competent finisher. He thrives as an inside forward, playing off a mobile striker.

8 Mladen Jurkas

67 Overall | 82 Potential

Bosnia's hopes and dreams for the next generation lie in the gloves of the young Mladen Jurkas.

The teenage goalkeeper towers at 6'4", and has decent positioning and reflex stats for his age. At only 67 overall, however, Jurkas is best signed as a bet for the future, unless your defence can cover for him in the first two seasons.

7 Brian Gutiérrez

72 Overall | 82 Potential

Another Mexican talent with a bright future ahead is Brian Gutiérrez, whose playmaking abilities are already evident.

Gutiérrez has good passing and ball control stats, and isn't a slouch in other attacking departments. With enough development time, he becomes a great 10 for any top-tier team.