Since its launch, EA Sports FC 26 has consistently introduced new evolution events, giving you the opportunity to strengthen those player cards in your inventory that are often underutilized due to insufficient strength.

Almost every evolution event focuses on improving players in a specific position, but only players meeting the event requirements are eligible for evolution.

This time, we'll introduce the requirements, participation methods, and recommended players for Between the Sticks evolution event for goalkeepers.

When Is Between The Sticks Available?

This evolution event started on December 1st, 2025 at 6 PM and will last for three weeks. This means you can utilize it to evolve any goalkeepers you feel are not strong enough in your club until December 22nd.

How To Complete This Evolution?

First, it's important to know that evolution events in FC 26 are divided into Standard and Training Camp. Most evolutions belong to the former, including Between the Sticks event we're discussing here.

Training Camp evolution is a passive way to improve player abilities. After submission, the player will be unavailable for a period until the evolution effect is claimed.

Standard evolution requires you to place an eligible player into the evolution slot, then buy FC 26 coins or consume points to activate it. Next, complete specific objectives to unlock the evolution boost upgrade.

Based on this, Between the Sticks evolution includes two levels, requiring you to complete one and two matches in Squad Battles/Rivals/Champions/Live Events at Semi-Pro difficulty using your activated EVO player.

The main gameplay of these four modes is as follows:

• Squad Battles: A single-player mode in Ultimate Team where you compete against AI-controlled teams to earn points and rewards, and climb the leaderboard.
• Rivals: An online competitive multiplayer mode where you can compete against real players of similar skill levels to earn weekly rewards and qualify for weekend Champions.
• Champions: An upgraded version of Rivals that grants access to the highest level of rewards in the game.
• Live Events: Diverse formats, offering high freedom and re-playability.

Completing challenges will grant the following boosts to your activated players:

• Overall Rating +1
• Diving +2
• Handling +2
• Kicking +2
• Reflexes +2
• Positioning +3
• New PlayStyle: Deflector
• New PlayStyle+: Footwork+, or Far Reach+

Which Players Are Worth Evolving?

This evolution doesn't heavily restrict player stats but rather assesses your ability to utilize them in matches. Therefore, provided you can handle Semi-Pro difficulty, you have a high degree of freedom in player selection.

Based on this, we recommend the following goalkeepers to prioritize for evolution:

Zion Suzuki

This American-born player, due to his mother's Japanese ancestry, has a Japanese name that doesn't match his appearance. He currently plays for Serie A club Parma and Japanese national team.

• OVR: 85
• Diving: 86
• Handing: 84
• Kicking: 84
• Reflexes: 87
• Speed: 70
• Positioning: 86

Lucas Chevalier

This player is from France and currently plays for French national team and Paris Saint-Germain. In FUT 26, his weak foot ability is rated 3 stars, and his skill is rated 1 star.

• OVR: 83
• Diving: 84
• Handing: 79
• Kicking: 73
• Reflexes: 86
• Speed: 50
• Positioning: 80

Jordan Pickford

Pickford, from England, is 31 years old and plays for his country's national team and Premier League club Everton.

Throughout his professional career, aside from injuries, his performance has been consistently strong, making him a worthwhile addition to your team in the game.

• OVR: 84
• Diving: 84
• Handing: 78
• Kicking: 88
• Reflexes: 87
• Speed: 53
• Positioning: 81

Timo Horn

This player currently plays for German national team and Bundesliga club VfL Bochum.

• OVR: 83
• Diving: 84
• Handing: 86
• Kicking: 70
• Reflexes: 83
• Speed: 59
• Positioning: 80

Joan García

This young Spanish player has already won numerous honors in his career, including helping Spanish national team win the gold medal in men's football at 2024 Paris Summer Olympics. He currently plays for Barcelona.

• OVR: 83
• Diving: 81
• Handing: 82
• Kicking: 77
• Reflexes: 86
• Speed: 46
• Positioning: 83

Nick Pope

This is also a player from England, 33 years old, playing for Premier League club Newcastle United and England national team.

• OVR: 81
• Diving: 81
• Handing: 81
• Kicking: 68
• Reflexes: 82
• Speed: 49
• Positioning: 78

Benefits Of Completing This Evolution

The obvious stat increases don't need much explanation. We will focus on the new Playstyle and Playstyle+ evolution bonuses.

Playstyle Deflector further enhances the abilities of GKs who are already adept at deflecting powerful shots, allowing them to more accurately prevent dangerous rebounds or create second-chance opportunities for their attacking teammates.

As for the two different Playstyle+ styles, Footwork+ and Far Reach+, which one you ultimately unlock depends on your evolution path.

Footwork+ allows your goalkeeper to make saves with their feet more frequently, while Far Reach+ is an exclusive style for Be A Goalkeeper (BAG) mode, ensuring that the goalkeeper can keep a clean sheet even outside the penalty area.

Although goalkeepers may seem less conspicuous compared to other positions, making a perfect save isn't necessarily less difficult than taking a shot, and timely saves can sometimes turn the tide for your team.

Therefore, if you have enough coins or points and time to play, be sure to complete Between the Sticks evolution in time and don't waste the opportunity to improve your club's goalkeeper and the overall strength of your team.

That's all for this introduction. In fact, FIFA 26 releases many new events every day, so you must manage your time wisely to utilize their value, but in any case, having fun is the most important thing!