EA Sports has introduced the Base Icon Matchday Pick SBC to FC 26 Ultimate Team, offering players a rare opportunity to add genuine footballing royalty to their squads. This unique challenge presents a choice between three legendary players: goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel, midfielder David Beckham, or defender Philipp Lahm. Each represents a different position and playstyle, ensuring value regardless of your squad needs.
Three Icons, One Choice
Unlike typical Icon SBCs that award a specific player, this Matchday Pick format lets you select which legend best suits your Ultimate Team. This flexibility makes the SBC appealing to a broader range of players, as you're guaranteed to receive an Icon that addresses a specific squad deficiency.
All three cards carry the prestige and statistical quality expected from Icon items, with enhanced PlayStyles and role competencies that justify their legendary status. The approximately 297,000 coin investment represents significant value for Icon-tier content, particularly with the built-in choice mechanic.
Peter Schmeichel: The Great Dane
The 89-rated Schmeichel card delivers elite goalkeeping attributes that make him one of the game's premier shot-stoppers. His 91 reflexes and 89 diving create a formidable last line of defense, while 87 positioning ensures he's consistently in the right place to make saves.
His 86 kicking supports modern possession-based systems that require goalkeepers to contribute to buildup play. The combination of Far Throw+, Pinged Pass, Footwork, and Rush Out PlayStyles makes him particularly effective for teams that play a high defensive line and need a keeper comfortable outside his box.
With Sweeper Keeper++ at the highest role level, Schmeichel excels in systems requiring active goalkeeper participation in defensive shape. His 47 speed, while low in absolute terms, suffices for the Sweeper Keeper role when paired with his excellent positioning attributes.
David Beckham: The English Icon
Beckham's 89-rated card showcases the complete midfielder package, with 92 passing standing out as his defining attribute. This exceptional distribution ability, combined with Dead Ball+, makes him the game's premier set-piece specialist. His Finesse Shot and Chip Shot PlayStyles provide scoring threat from distance, while Incisive Pass, Long Ball Pass, and Whipped Pass ensure he dominates midfield distribution.
His 80 pace and 85 dribbling allow him to operate effectively in wide positions, supported by Half-Winger++ and Winger++ role ratings. The Wide Midfielder+ rating provides additional tactical flexibility, letting him slot into various formations without sacrificing effectiveness.
The 85 shooting rating makes Beckham a genuine goal threat, particularly from dead ball situations where his specialized PlayStyles shine. His 80 physicality and Relentless PlayStyle ensure he maintains performance levels throughout matches, making him effective even in the final minutes when fatigue affects most players.
Philipp Lahm: The German Tactician
Lahm's 89-rated card represents the modern full-back archetype, combining defensive solidity with technical quality. His 86 defending pairs with Intercept+, Anticipate, Slide Tackle, and Press Proven PlayStyles to create an elite ball-winner who excels in proactive defensive actions.
The 84 pace ensures he can track quick wingers while recovering defensively when needed. His 83 passing and Long Ball Pass/Whipped Pass PlayStyles make him effective in possession systems, capable of initiating attacks from deep positions.
His Falseback++ rating at the highest level stands out as particularly valuable, enabling him to tuck into midfield during buildup phases—a role increasingly important in modern formations. The additional Wingback+ and Holding+ ratings provide tactical versatility across multiple systems.
SBC Structure and Requirements
Completing the Base Icon Matchday Pick requires submitting five squads with escalating rating requirements. Each submission returns a tradeable pack, providing some value recovery through pack contents.
Squad 1: 83-Rated Foundation
Requirements:
Minimum Squad Rating: 83
Minimum Team Chemistry: 30
Team of the Week Players: Minimum 1
Reward: Jumbo Premium Gold Pack
This entry squad can be completed economically by targeting lower-priced TOTW cards from less popular leagues. The 83 rating requirement makes this accessible with standard gold cards from your club.
Squad 2: Stepping Up to 85
Requirements:
Minimum Squad Rating: 85
Minimum Team Chemistry: 24
Team of the Week Players: Minimum 1
Reward: Jumbo Premium Gold Pack
The jump to 85 rating requires more careful construction. Focus on abundant high-rated positions like goalkeepers and center-backs where market supply keeps prices reasonable.
Squad 3: Breaking Into 86
Requirements:
Minimum Squad Rating: 86
Minimum Team Chemistry: 20
Reward: Rare Mixed Players Pack
The 86 rating typically represents the cost inflection point where fodder prices increase significantly. Building during promotional periods when pack supply floods the market helps minimize costs.
Squad 4: Premium Fodder Territory
Requirements:
Minimum Squad Rating: 87
Minimum Team Chemistry: 16
Reward: Rare Gold Pack
At 87 rating, you're firmly in premium fodder territory. This squad benefits most from using untradeable duplicates from your club to reduce out-of-pocket costs.
Squad 5: The Final Push
Requirements:
Minimum Squad Rating: 87
Minimum Team Chemistry: 14
Reward: Rare Electrum Players Pack
The final squad maintains the 87 rating but reduces chemistry requirements slightly. This provides some flexibility in player selection, potentially allowing you to use off-league players you have untradeable.
Cost Analysis and Value Proposition
At approximately 297,000 coins, this SBC sits in the upper-mid range for special content but offers exceptional value for Icon-tier items. Standard Icon SBCs typically cost significantly more, making the Matchday Pick format particularly cost-effective.
The five tradeable packs returned through completion carry combined pack odds value of roughly 40,000-50,000 coins, reducing net investment to around 250,000 coins. Any significant pulls improve value proposition further.
Making Your Selection
Choose Schmeichel if:
You need an elite goalkeeper for competitive modes
You run a high defensive line requiring Sweeper Keeper functionality
You value set-piece defense and long distribution
Choose Beckham if:
You need a creative midfielder with elite passing
Set pieces are integral to your attacking strategy
You want a versatile player capable of multiple positions
Choose Lahm if:
You need a technically gifted full-back
You utilize Falseback tactics in your system
Defensive reliability is your priority
Strategic Completion Approach
Audit your club first - Check for untradeable high-rated duplicates
Monitor TOTW prices - Complete when weekly TOTW cards bottom out midweek
Target unpopular leagues - Lower demand equals better prices
Complete during content releases - Pack opening spikes temporarily reduce fodder costs
Use the five returned packs - Open immediately and use any usable pulls in remaining squads
Add a Legend to Your Squad
The Base Icon Matchday Pick SBC delivers exceptional value for players seeking Icon-tier content without breaking the bank. Whether you need Schmeichel's shot-stopping, Beckham's creativity, or Lahm's defensive intelligence, you're guaranteed a transformative addition to your Ultimate Team.
Ready to complete this SBC and need more coins for the remaining squads? Visit FUTCOIN to buy FC 26 coins and secure the players necessary to bring a legend into your Ultimate Team.
