June 26 – Credible leaks have revealed that England and Real Madrid midfielder Jude Bellingham will be the cover star of EA Sports FC26, making him the face of the franchise for a second consecutive year.
EA’s annual summer reveal typically aligns with the off-season hype cycle, and with FC25 winding down, the stage is set for the next evolution of EA’s flagship football title.
Though it is yet to be officially confirmed, Bellingham’s selection continues EA’s strategy of aligning with high-impact, globally recognisable stars.
Following a breakout year at Borussia Dortmund and a marquee move to Real Madrid, the youngster has quickly become a mainstay among the sport’s elite. His place alongside previous cover stars like Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and Kylian Mbappé confirms his commercial and footballing ascendancy.
But the headline doesn’t end with Bellingham. The leak also unveiled a revamped slate of Ultimate Team Icons set to debut in the upcoming title.
Among them are the recently-retired Zlatan Ibrahimović, Andrés Iniesta, Toni Kroos, Marcelo, Giorgio Chiellini, and the long-awaited inclusion of Roma legend Francesco Totti.
The roster also makes strides in gender inclusion with the addition of women’s footballers such as Alex Morgan (USA), Sara Thunebro (Sweden), Steffi Jones (Germany), and Sissi (Brazil).
The inclusion of Ibrahimović, who infamously criticised EA in 2020 for using his likeness without permission, adds a layer of intrigue to this year’s edition. His return signals that old tensions may have been resolved, potentially paving the way for other absent stars to return to the game in future iterations, like Diego Maradona’s posthumous return to the franchise following successful negotiations with his children.
The addition of Oliver Kahn as an icon could coincide with the return of Bayern Munich’s Allianz Arena, which was absent from FC25. Similarly, Francesco Totti’s inclusion could reflect Roma’s renewed licensing agreement with EA—potentially restoring the Stadio Olimpico to the series.
With FC 26 already shaping up to be more than just a roster update, EA’s growing roster of legends, expanded women’s content, and continued focus on superstar branding all point to a game aiming to evolve with the sport itself.
As ever, EA will look to harness its global reach through Ultimate Team—still the dominant revenue driver within the franchise. For fans eager to speculate, the leaks give plenty to chew on ahead of what is expected to be a high-profile reveal this summer.
By doubling down on star power and nostalgic legacy content, EA Sports FC26 is positioning itself as a cultural touchstone in a sport increasingly shaped by gaming.
Contact the writer of this story, Harry Ewing, at moc.l1750953089labto1750953089ofdlr1750953089owedi1750953089sni@g1750953089niwe.1750953089yrrah1750953089