If you’re anything like me, the moment EA drops a fresh batch of Icons is almost as thrilling as packing one yourself. With EA Sports FC 26 just around the corner, we’ve now got confirmation on 12 brand-new Icons who’ll be strutting their stuff in Ultimate Team and Career Mode. Some of these legends were still lacing up their boots as recently as 2024, which makes me feel ancient – but in the best way possible. Pre-ordering the Ultimate Edition nets you one of these 12 (or a classic like Thierry Henry, R9, or Stevie G) to kick-start your squad, but all of them will be available throughout the game’s lifecycle.

Let me walk you through the lot, from the giants I grew up watching to a couple of hidden gems I’ve had to brush up on. I’ll share my early thoughts on how they might play, based on what we know about FC 26’s revamped mechanics and PlayStyles.

🦁 The Heavy Hitters: 92-Rated Monsters

Zlatan Ibrahimovic – 92 OVR

Zlatan needs zero introduction, right? I mean, the guy won league titles in four different countries – 12 in total – and his trophy cabinet still somehow feels like it undersells him. Prime Zlatan in the old FIFA games was an absolute menace with 5-star skills and 5-star weak foot, and this 92-rated Icon card looks set to be a carbon copy of that blend of silk and steel. Think R9 vibes but with even more swagger. If EA gives him the Power Header and Acrobatic PlayStyles, he’ll be an early-game cheat code.

Andres Iniesta – 92 OVR

Honestly, I was shocked to realize Iniesta only stopped playing in the UAE last year. That six-year Japanese swan song really flew under the radar. The man who scored that World Cup winner in 2010 and orchestrated arguably the greatest club side ever is finally getting an Icon card that should do his genius justice. Historically, EA games fumbled players of his ilk – slithery, intelligent midfielders without blistering pace – but a combination of Press Proven, Technical, and Incisive Pass PlayStyles should make him a must-have for possession fiends.

🔥 More Elite Additions: 91-Rated Trio

Alex Morgan – 91 OVR

When female players first landed in FC a few years ago, Alex Morgan was instantly the meta. A double World Cup winner with electric pace and clinical finishing, she’s practically guaranteed to get Finesse+ (her gold card had it), which will break the early game wide open. I’m already bracing for EA to ban her signature tea-sipping celebration for being too toxic in online matches – you know it’s coming.

Oliver Kahn – 91 OVR

King Kahn always looked about ten feet tall on the pitch, but he was “only” 6ft 2. With goalkeepers getting a massive overhaul in FC 26 – better reactions, smarter positioning – I’m genuinely excited to see if EA can finally capture his trademark style: punching crosses into next week and yelling at defenders like they’d committed treason. He might not be prime van der Sar or Courtois height, but if he gets Far Reach or Cross Claimer PlayStyle+, he could be the new sweeper-keeper king.

🎯 The 90-Rated All-Rounders

Toni Kroos – 90 OVR

I’m so glad Kroos bowed out at the very top before we got to the "applaud every sideways pass" phase. Over 700 appearances for Bayern and Real Madrid tell you everything – he was unflappable. But let’s be real: pace was never his thing. Like his old Real midfield pal Xabi Alonso, Kroos risks being brilliant in real life but slightly too slow for the FC meta unless his passing PlayStyles (Long Ball+, Pinged Pass) make him untouchable in a deeper role. I predict premium pack-filler, but a cult hero for those who can manually defend.

Caroline Seger – 90 OVR

I’ll be honest, Seger is the new face I knew least about. Described as “industrious”, but to hit a 90 rating she’s clearly got bags of quality. In real life she was a brick-wall defensive midfielder, but in FC 26 she’ll likely fall into that box-to-box/8 role a la Nadine Kessler – incredibly solid, with high defensive work rates and enough physicality to bully opponents. Her PlayStyles will make or break her; if she gets Bruiser and Anticipate, she’ll be a real gem.

🏛️ The Italian Icons: 89-Rated Pair

Francesco Totti – 89 OVR

The King of Rome is finally back! Totti is a one-club legend with a first touch that could calm a hurricane. I was always worried he’d struggle in earlier games because his magic relied on vision and finesse, not raw pace, but PlayStyles flip the script. He’s got more physical presence than Baggio, and if EA slaps Incisive Pass+ and First Touch+ on him, he’ll be threading through balls like a true fantasista. This might be the year he’s actually usable.

Giorgio Chiellini – 89 OVR

If Totti is calcio’s beauty, Chiellini is the beast – pure catenaccio. Speed to match the quickest, strength to body anyone, and that dark art “intelligence” to haul you back by the collar if you got past him. I’m fully expecting Anticipate to be his signature, which would make him a menace on par with Lucio. But imagine if he becomes the first Enforcer+ player? Shirt-pulling gang, rejoice!

🇧🇷 Samba & Global Flair

Marcelo – 89 OVR

You’ve heard of a false 9, but Marcelo practically invented the false 3. He treated the left-back slot as a suggestion, storming forward to link with Cristiano Ronaldo as Real Madrid finally landed La Décima. With tinkle-toes dribbling and underrated defensive chops, I’m calling it now: he’ll be part of the exclusive “Gullit Gang” with every face stat 80+ from launch. If he gets Jockey+ or Whipped Pass, he’ll be the most fun fullback in UT.

Steffi Jones – 89 OVR

Jones is giving me big Wendie Renard energy – a towering, physical defender who’ll probably have the best defensive presence among the new women’s Icons. I have a sneaking suspicion she’ll be the player I pack the most from those Ultimate Edition pre-orders, much like Jamie Carragher last year. But if you love a no-nonsense Centre-Back who just deletes attacks, she might be your secret weapon.

🌏 The 88-Rated Legends

Cha Bum-Kun – 88 OVR

A name that old-school fans might remember from classic XI squads, Cha Bum-Kun finally returns to FC. He was the greatest Asian player of his generation, dominating the Bundesliga back when Kevin Keegan was winning Ballon d’Ors in Germany. Still South Korea’s all-time top scorer (though Son is closing in), his card should be lightning quick with strong physicals. I’m already imagining an early-game hero card for those Bundesliga links.

Sissi – 88 OVR

Sissi is the dead-ball queen. She bagged the Golden Boot at the 1999 World Cup courtesy of four inch-perfect free kicks. There’s zero doubt in my mind she’ll get Dead Ball+, and unlike some flair players, none of her PlayStyles will be wasted on Flair. She’ll be this year’s Beckham from a set-piece standpoint, and with 88 overall she could comfortably slot into starter squads for months.

So, that’s the full dozen. From the towering Zlatan to the genius of Iniesta, the ferocity of Chiellini and the elegance of Totti, this Icon class feels like one of the most balanced and exciting in years. I’m already theory-crafting hybrids and preparing myself for the inevitable Steffi Jones duplication in my pre-order pack. FC 26 drops on September 26 – just enough time to plan your first Icon snipe. Who’s going straight into your team?