One advantage of FC 26 over FUT 25 is the introduction of a wider range of players. Players can choose from over 20,000 players to assemble their ultimate team. While a player's overall rating generally indicates their strength, there are always some high-rated players who appear powerful, and their high ratings even may not be as useful as their lower OVR counterparts.

Which players are truly powerful? What advantages do they offer early in the game? The following analysis and predictions are based on player stats. However, because of market fluctuations, player values ​​may not be completely accurate and are provided for reference only.

90 OVR Ousmane Dembélé ST/RW/CAM

• Rapid+
• Low Driven Shot
• Pinged Pass
• Inventive
• Trickster
• Quick Step

Ousmane Dembélé has received a significant upgrade, and his rating has increased from 86 in FC 25 to 90. Most notably, his Finishing has skyrocketed from 72 to 90, and his Stamina has also increased, addressing a long-standing weakness. Combined with his 5-star Weak Foot and 5-star Skill, along with his Rapid+ playstyle, he's a top-tier winger or even striker in the early stages of the game, potentially worth over 2,000,000 FUT 26 coins.

89 OVR Federico Valverde CDM/RB

• Relentless+
• Power Shot
• Long Ball Pass
• Intercept
• Slide Tackle
• Aerial Fortress

Federico Valverde's strength lies in his ability to play in the newly added right back position. With his top-tier running ability, defensive skills, and stamina, he's a monster at right back, potentially worth around 500,000 FIFA 26 coins.

89 OVR Pedri CM

• First Touch+
• Incisive Pass
• Long Ball Pass
• Tiki Taka
• Technical
• Relentless

Pedri has been upgraded to 89 points in FC 26 and has Long Ball Pass. He is a playmaker in the midfield and has a strong shot, making him a very well-rounded midfielder.

89 OVR Raphinha LW

• Rapid+
• Finesse Shot
• Power Shot
• Trickster
• Quick Step
• Relentless

Raphinha boasts a Rapid+ and Relentless combination, along with a very reliable playstyle. This allows him to dart around the field and create a constant threat from the flanks. His value could be between 80 and 1 million EA FC 26 coins.

89 OVR Lamine Yamal RM

• Technical+
• Finesse Shot
• Gamechanger
• Incisive Pass
• Inventive
• First Touch
• Quick Step

Barcelona's Lamine Yamal has received a significant upgrade in FC 26. He possesses a Technical+ playstyle, making his dribbling and passing skills very fluid in the early stages of the game when defenders are slow to turn. As a winger, he has the decent speed and a good shot, making his value comparable to Raphinha.

89 OVR Achraf Hakimi RB

• Relentless+
• Low Driven Shot
• Whipped Pass
• Jockey
• Anticipate
• Press Proven
• Quick Step

If you're an FC 26 expert, Achraf Hakimi is your go-to right-back. He has top-tier speed, good defensive stats, and plenty of stamina. His playstyle also allows him to provide assists frequently . His value is likely to be around 50-60 coins.

91 OVR Alex Morgan ST Icon

• Finesse Shot+

Alex Morgan, a newly added Icon card, boasts a powerful “Finesse Shot+.” She uses her left foot and has excellent shooting and dribbling stats. Due to several factors, including the new card, a powerful Playstyle, and an Icon, her value could be between 3 and 4 million coins.

92 OVR Zlatan Ibrahimović ST Icon

• Power Shot+

Zlatan Ibrahimović is tall and strong. While not particularly quick, he boasts a 98 dribbling stat. He could potentially shift the game meta, shifting players away from fast and agile center forwards toward taller center forwards who utilize their strength and heading.

88 OVR Alexander Isak ST

• Finesse Shot+
• Power Shot
• Low Driven Shot
• Gamechanger
• Rapid
• First Touch

Alexander Isak's chemistry has improved since his transfer to Liverpool. Although his Weak Foot stat has been reduced from 5 to 4 stars, he possesses Finesse Shot+. With goalkeepers generally weak in the early game, this boost will make his shot extremely lethal.

88 OVR Kadidiatou Diani RM/ST

• Finesse Shot+
• Precision Header
• Gamechanger
• Technical
• Quick Step
• Enforcer

Kadidiatou Diani didn't have Playstyle+ in FC25, but this year she gained Finesse Shot+. She can play both ST and wing, and has well-rounded stats and a strong physique, making her worth potentially between 200,000 and 300,000 coins.

87 OVR Jules Koundé CB/RM

• Jockey+
• Long Ball Pass
• Slide Tackle
• Aerial Fortress
• Quick Step
• Relentless

Jules Koundé is a consistently useful center back in the early game. While his stats aren't top-tier, his model, feel, and defensive style make him a reliable defender against top strikers.

86 OVR Antonio Rüdiger CB

• Aerial Fortress+
• Long Ball Pass
• Jockey
• Block
• Bruiser

Although Antonio Rüdiger's rating has dropped from 88 to 86, his crucial stats of 84 in key defense and 86 in physique remain excellent, making him worth approximately 10-15 FUT 26 coins.

84 OVR Salma Paralluelo LW

Salma Paralluelo's pace and shooting are impressive, a rarity for wingers. Her estimated value is around 30,000 FUT 26 coins, making her a bargain in the early stages.

These are the players with good value in the early stages of FUT 26. Other players like Micky van de Ven and Moaid Mekki may also become low-value but very useful players in the early game. If you're short on FUT 26 coins, you might also want to keep an eye on these low-OVR players.