Building a full Real Madrid lineup in FC 26 is something a lot of fans aim for – especially those who follow the club in real life. But many players don’t realize that choosing Madrid in Career Mode, or placing their crest on your Ultimate Team starter squad, doesn’t mean you instantly get the real roster. FC 26 intentionally avoids giving players full access to licensed teams right from the start. Instead, you unlock most footballers over time through packs, objectives, transfers, and the game’s overall economy.
Furthermore, many top players are highly rated and fall into the rare card category. Therefore, almost every Real Madrid player is a result of either luck, diligent farming, or the wise use of in-game currency. And yes, if a player doesn’t want to spend weeks mining coins, they can always consider purchasing FC 26 coins on Skycoach to get closer to their dream faster and receive fast delivery and cashback. However, this is an additional tool, not the primary path.
In this guide, I’ll cover in detail:
- Why the Real Madrid squad isn’t available initially, even for those who’ve chosen the club itself.
- Which modes offer a chance to knock out Real Madrid players.
- Which cards should you look for first.
- How to farm coins effectively.
- What alternative routes exist (SBCs, Transfers, Purchasing Packs).
Why You Shouldn’t Play with the Current Real Madrid Squad Right Away
At first glance, it seems strange: choose Real Madrid and get Vinicius, Rodrygo, Jude Bellingham, and the rest. But the mechanics of FC 26 are designed differently, and here are the key reasons:
Ultimate Team – This is a Collection Mode
UT is based on the idea that you assemble your squad yourself, not get one by default. Even if you choose the club colors, crest, and stadium, these are just attributes of the club, not a guaranteed squad.
Top Player Cards – Rare
Despite the La Liga license, Real Madrid star cards are classified as:
- Rare gold (e.g., Rüdiger).
- High-rated elite (Vinicius, Bellingham).
- Seasonal promo cards.
- Unique versions (TOTW, RTTK, Centurions).
These players are rare, expensive, and require preparation.
Game Balance
If a player could acquire a full Real Madrid squad with one click, UT would lose its leveling and interest. EA only provides a basic starter pack, and then everything depends on the player’s actions.
Progress Must Be Fair
Half of a Real Madrid squad from the start is too much of a boost and ruins the competitiveness.
How to Build a Real Madrid Squad – The Player’s Master Plan
To achieve a complete or near-complete replica of Madrid’s squad, a structured approach is needed. I’ll divide the strategies into two stages:
- Acquiring basic players (affordable versions, young, cheap).
- Collecting elite cards (highly rated, promo, rare versions).
Find Basic Cards on the Transfer Market
This is the simplest and most reliable option.
Available and relatively inexpensive:
| Player | Card Type | Approximate Value at the Start of the Season |
| Lunin | Gold Common | Low Price, Easy to Find |
| Ferland Mendy | Rare Gold | Mid-Range |
| Carvajal | Rare Gold | Stable Price |
These players will help you build your core until you earn high-rated stars.
Participate in Division Rivals
Every week, you receive rewards that can be claimed:
- In the form of packs.
- As a combination of packs and coins.
- FC 26 coins only.
If you’re targeting a Real Madrid squad, it’s more profitable to take premium packs with gold pulls.
Play Champions
Rewards regularly include:
- Highly rated players.
- TOTW players.
- Rare gold packs.
The chance of getting Bellingham, Vinicius, or Rüdiger is higher here than anywhere else.
Complete Squad Battles
This is a method for a relaxed game:
- You play against the AI.
- You receive consistent rewards.
- There’s a chance to snag gold cards.
This is a great way to farm if you don’t have time to sweat it out online.
Keep an eye on SBCs
SBCs are one of the most reliable ways to get Real Madrid players.
Every year, EA releases:
- Player Moments cards.
- Flashback cards.
- Dynamic Duos.
- Season Rewards.
Not only superstars often appear here, but also underrated players who fit perfectly into your squad.
How to Get Real Madrid’s Key Players
Now, the main stars who form the core of a real squad: Vinicius, Bellingham, Rodrygo, Mbappé, Arda Guler, Tchouameni, Camavinga, Rüdiger, Alaba, Valverde.
Play FUT Champions
Your chance of getting the elite is the highest.
Here’s where they drop:
- IF player versions.
- 84-89 ratings.
- Promo cards.
- Guaranteed rating pack.
Yes, Champs is tough, but the results are worth it.
Follow Promo Events
EA regularly releases:
- Centurions.
- Team of the Week.
- Special Boosts.
- Road to the Knockouts.
- Future Stars.
- Team of the Year (a huge chance to snag a Real Madrid player).
During promo periods, market prices often drop, and you can buy stars cheaper.
Trade
The most effective methods:
- Rebuying with a strict filter – set a maximum price 10-20% below the average, snag cards, and resell.
- Sniping during event hours – when promos are released, prices drop sharply, and you can buy cheap. Investing in TOTW – cards often increase in price after a week.
This way, you can earn tens of thousands of coins daily.
Use FC 26 Coins as a Boost
Sometimes a player simply doesn’t have the time to farm every day. In this case, it’s worth considering purchasing FC 26 coins, especially if you’re after a specific Real Madrid star. If you don’t want to rely solely on drops or slow grinding, there’s always a faster way. You can simply find out the price of a specific player, purchase the required number of coins through Skycoach, and complete the deal. This will allow you to fill gaps or strengthen your team with key players without spending days farming, while also providing the same security as purchasing through EA, but at a much better price.
Which Real Madrid Cards Are Worth Getting First
The table below shows the most important players for the current squad and their roles:
| Player | Role | Why Important |
| Vinicius Junior | LW | One of the strongest dribblers and finishers |
| Jude Bellingham | CAM/CM | Versatile, top-tier box-to-box |
| Fede Valverde | CM/RM | Speed, stamina, balance |
| Rodrygo | RW | Stable meta, strong weak foot |
| Tchouameni | CDM | Defensive midfielder with the best balance of physicality and passing |
| Rüdiger | CB | Top defender of the season |
| Camavinga | LB/CM | Versatility + aggression |
| Lunin | GK | Accessible and reliable |
| Alaba | CB/LB | Versatile defender |
What to Do in Order – Step-by-step Plan
Let’s look at the five main steps.
Form a Provisional Squad
Use inexpensive cards:
- Mendi
- Carvajal
- Lunin
- Camavinga (base version)
- Rodrigo (base version)
This will create a strong base with good chemistry.
Start Farming Coins
Best ways:
- Rivals + Squad Battles every week.
- Sell extra 82-84 cards.
- Trading during peak hours.
Focus on 86+ cards
First, take:
- Bellingham
- Vinicius
- Rüdiger
These are the three pillars of Real Madrid in terms of gameplay.
Catch Promo Versions
During events:
- FUT Birthday
- TOTY
- Centurions
- RTTK
Prices drop – this is the best time to buy expensive cards and save a lot of FC 26 coins.
Complete SBCs for Real Madrid Players
Sometimes EA releases:
- Flashback Benzema
- Moments Modrić
- Flashback Kroos
These are ideal additions to your squad.
How to Play a Real Madrid Lineup Correctly
If you want to recreate the style of Real Madrid football in FC 26, it’s important to consider the following principles:
- Fast flanks – Vinicius + Rodrygo = lightning-fast counterattacks.
- Central structure – Bellingham + Valverde + Tchouameni – the best midfield in the game.
- Flexible defense – Rüdiger is physical, Alaba is intelligent, Mendy is fast.
- Control through the half-spaces – Bellingham is excellent in the half-spaces, creating space for Vinicius.
- Don’t force crosses – Real Madrid have few tall target men, so the emphasis is on low passes and dribbles.
Helpful Tips for a Quick Build
- Don’t spend FC 26 coins on packs – buy players directly.
- Open packs only from Rivals/Champs rewards.
- Complete all season missions – they often reward La Liga players.
- Watch out for card swaps – some SBCs let you get an 84+ Madid player for a cheap squad.
- During big promotions, hold on to your coins – the market crashes.
Conclusion
Building a true Real Madrid lineup in FC 26 is a long-term but exciting process. It requires patience, participation in key modes, building a smart economy, and understanding the best times to acquire players. Although Real Madrid’s real stars aren’t available at launch, the game offers numerous ways to acquire them: from packs in Rivals to promotional events and SBCs.
If you don’t want to spend weeks farming, you can speed up the process by buying FC 26 coins, but this is just one option and doesn’t replace the need to play, develop, and gradually improve your squad.
The main thing is to follow a plan, and sooner or later you’ll be able to assemble a squad that is as close to a Real Madrid as possible – strong, fast, and enjoyable to manage.
