Why are Claudia Pina, Aitana Bonmati and other women’s footballers so good on EA FC Ultimate Team?
The gameplay mechanics that make women's cards some of the most effective in the game
EA Sports’s decision to add women’s footballers to Ultimate Team changed the game forever.
We’re now into the third season since the likes of Aitana Bonmatí, Alexia Putellas and Claudia Pina joined the game mode that tasks players with dominating the online pitch with a squad of elite stars from across women’s and men’s football.
Excitingly, women are in high demand. EA FC 26 places a huge emphasis on specific stats, with the developer’s design choices creating a meta that makes certain types of player a premium buy on the Ultimate Team marketplace.
Why are women’s footballers so good on Ultimate Team?
Anyone who has stepped into EAFC 26’s online multiplayer will quickly understand what makes a successful squad.
Although billed as a simulation, this year’s game follows many other recent releases from the series in that it prioritises pace, agility, balance and dribbling over a realistic tactical game plan. Certain PlayStyles, which are additional traits that tweak a player’s personality, are also vital in the current meta.
Such emphasis on mobility has seen the likes of Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe dominate across the years before mixed Ultimate Team squads. However, the natural attributes of many women put them in the conversation as the best players available in EAFC 26’s Ultimate Team mode.
EA FC’s gameplay engine heavily favours players who can explode away from a tackle and accelerate into space. There is also a limited emphasis on height and physicality. This means smaller, lighter players aren’t punished and can effectively compete in situations that would seem unrealistic in an actual match.
For instance, it’s not uncommon to see an aerial juggernaut like Virgil van Dijk lose headers against much smaller opponents in the game. Their pace off the mark and athleticism means he can be beaten to the ball as physical collisions aren’t animated in a realistic way.
Are women’s players overpowered in EA FC 26?
‘Overpowered’ is an overused and often misunderstood term when it comes to this series.
Each annual EAFC release, and FIFA before it, have elevated the importance of certain attributes. Historically, these have tended to cycle: One year pace might be important, the next it could be headers or something else. Speed and technicality have become a sustained part of the meta in recent seasons, though, putting women in a strong position.
While the community may outline players as overpowered, it’s more often the case that a specific combination of stats and PlayStyle emphasise them as the easiest way to scoring. Whether it’s a woman or a man, the same logic is applied: smaller, fast, more reactive players excel this year.
Which stats are most valuable on Ultimate Team?
Here’s a breakdown of the best attributes that make a strong player on EAFC 26:
Acceleration
Sprint speed
Agility
Balance
Reactions
Dribbling
High Stamina
5-star weak foot
PlayStyles: Low Driven Shot, Technical, Rapid, Incisive Pass, Intercept, Tiki Taka, Finesse Shot, Bruiser.
Many women’s base cards are easily affordable on Ultimate Team. The highest-ranked women’s players might not necessarily be the best in the current meta, so it’s worth trying a range of speedy, agile players to get the most out of your squad, particularly if you’re aiming to earn rewards in the competitive Weekend League.