EA FC 26 Knockout Royalty Team 1: Full Player List & Dates

• What Is Knockout Royalty in EA FC 26?
• All Knockout Royalty Team 1 Players Overview
• All Knockout Royalty Team 1 Standard Cards
• All Knockout Royalty Team 1 Icons
• All Knockout Royalty Team 1 Heroes
• Knockout Royalty Team 1 & Team 2 Release Dates
• How to Prepare Your Club for Knockout Royalty
• How ItemD2R Helps You Build a Knockout Royalty Squad
• FAQ: Knockout Royalty in EA FC 26

What Is Knockout Royalty in EA FC 26?

Knockout Royalty is one of the headline promos in EA FC 26 Ultimate Team, focusing on players who deliver when the pressure is at its peak – cup finals, elimination ties, and clutch moments. The first squad, Knockout Royalty Team 1, mixes current stars, brand-new special versions, and upgraded Icons and Heroes that celebrate legendary knockout performers.

Team 1 is highlighted by a hugely upgraded Mia Hamm card, joined by modern greats like Vinícius Júnior, Rodri, Antoine Griezmann, and more. A second squad, Team 2, will follow shortly after, keeping the promo active across two content cycles.

All Knockout Royalty Team 1 Players Overview

Ahead of the official release, reliable community leakers have revealed the full list of Knockout Royalty Team 1 players, including their overall ratings and key PlayStyles+. While the new Heroes have only partially surfaced, we already know the core of the team: a powerful mix of attackers, creative midfielders, and meta-defining defenders.

Below you'll find an easy breakdown of every player, starting with the standard cards, followed by Icons and then Heroes. Use this as a reference for pack pulls, transfer market plans, and squad-building ideas once the promo goes live.

All Knockout Royalty Team 1 Standard Cards (Ratings & PlayStyles+)

These are the core Knockout Royalty Team 1 items based on active players in world football. Stats and PlayStyles+ are taken from trusted leaks and may be subject to minor tuning on final release.

• Vinícius Júnior (92 OVR / LW): 97 PAC, 90 SHO, 83 PAS, 94 DRI, 32 DEF, 77 PHY – PlayStyles+: Finesse Shot+, Quick Step+
• Rodri (92 OVR / CDM): 85 PAC, 82 SHO, 92 PAS, 90 DRI, 88 DEF, 87 PHY – PlayStyles+: Tiki Taka+, Bruiser+
• Antoine Griezmann (91 OVR / ST): 90 PAC, 92 SHO, 92 PAS, 92 DRI, 63 DEF, 80 PHY – PlayStyles+: Finesse Shot+, Technical+
• Khvicha Kvaratskhelia (91 OVR / LW): 92 PAC, 87 SHO, 88 PAS, 92 DRI, 63 DEF, 85 PHY – PlayStyles+: Low Driven Shot+, Quick Step+
• Kai Havertz (91 OVR / ST): 90 PAC, 91 SHO, 88 PAS, 92 DRI, 60 DEF, 87 PHY – PlayStyles+: Low Driven Shot+, Quick Step+
• Enzo Fernández (91 OVR / CM): 85 PAC, 85 SHO, 93 PAS, 92 DRI, 82 DEF, 84 PHY – PlayStyles+: Incisive Pass+, Long Ball Pass+
• Marta (90 OVR / CAM): 87 PAC, 90 SHO, 91 PAS, 93 DRI, 72 DEF, 81 PHY – PlayStyles+: Finesse Shot+, Gamechanger+
• Micky van de Ven (90 OVR / CB): 94 PAC, 52 SHO, 70 PAS, 81 DRI, 88 DEF, 88 PHY – PlayStyles+: Intercept+, Quick Step+
• Vivianne Miedema (90 OVR / ST): 90 PAC, 90 SHO, 88 PAS, 91 DRI, 38 DEF, 86 PHY – PlayStyles+: Finesse Shot+, First Touch+
• Victor Osimhen (90 OVR / ST): 96 PAC, 91 SHO, 73 PAS, 86 DRI, 47 DEF, 88 PHY – PlayStyles+: Gamechanger+, Rapid+
• Bruno Guimarães (89 OVR / CM): 84 PAC, 80 SHO, 87 PAS, 87 DRI, 85 DEF, 87 PHY – PlayStyles+: Incisive Pass+
• Alphonso Davies (89 OVR / LB): 95 PAC, 80 SHO, 84 PAS, 87 DRI, 82 DEF, 84 PHY – PlayStyles+: Quick Step+
• Emiliano Martínez (88 OVR / GK): 87 DIV, 86 HAN, 86 KIC, 88 REF, 60 SPD, 90 POS – PlayStyles+: Rush Out+
• Benjamin Pavard (88 OVR / CB): 84 PAC, 72 SHO, 84 PAS, 84 DRI, 90 DEF, 86 PHY – PlayStyles+: Anticipate+
• Ferland Mendy (87 OVR / LB): 91 PAC, 70 SHO, 80 PAS, 81 DRI, 84 DEF, 90 PHY – PlayStyles+: Quick Step+
• Ahmet Oğuz (86 OVR / RB): 87 PAC, 74 SHO, 82 PAS, 84 DRI, 85 DEF, 90 PHY – PlayStyles+: Block+

Key Standout Cards for the Meta

Several of these cards have clear potential to become core pieces in the EA FC 26 meta:

• Micky van de Ven combines near-sprinter pace with elite defending and Intercept+, making him one of the most dangerous high-line centre-backs in the game.
• Rodri looks like a complete CDM with both Tiki Taka+ and Bruiser+, perfect for controlling midfield and shielding the backline.
• Vinícius Júnior, equipped with Quick Step+ and Finesse Shot+, continues to be a nightmare for full-backs in wide attacking setups.
• Marta and Vivianne Miedema round out a deadly attacking trio for players who enjoy skill-based, technical football.

All Knockout Royalty Team 1 Icons

The biggest spotlight of Knockout Royalty Team 1 is reserved for a special group of Icons known for their clutch performances in major tournaments. These cards receive significant upgrades and premium PlayStyles+ combinations.

• Mia Hamm (94 OVR / ST): 93 PAC, 94 SHO, 90 PAS, 93 DRI, 55 DEF, 82 PHY – PlayStyles+: Low Driven Shot+, Rapid+
• Andrés Iniesta (93 OVR / CM): 86 PAC, 87 SHO, 94 PAS, 94 DRI, 82 DEF, 80 PHY – PlayStyles+: Incisive Pass+, Tiki Taka+
• Gerd Müller (93 OVR / ST): 90 PAC, 93 SHO, 80 PAS, 88 DRI, 45 DEF, 77 PHY – PlayStyles+: Finesse Shot+, First Touch+
• Lotta Schelin (92 OVR / ST): 93 PAC, 92 SHO, 88 PAS, 91 DRI, 48 DEF, 84 PHY – PlayStyles+: Finesse Shot+, Incisive Pass+
• Steffi Jones (91 OVR / CB): 84 PAC, 65 SHO, 81 PAS, 76 DRI, 94 DEF, 90 PHY – PlayStyles+: Anticipate+, Block+
• Steven Gerrard (90 OVR / CM): 85 PAC, 91 SHO, 91 PAS, 87 DRI, 81 DEF, 85 PHY – PlayStyles+: Incisive Pass+, Long Ball Pass+

Why These Icons Matter for Ultimate Team

Mia Hamm stands out as one of the most complete strikers in EA FC 26: elite pace, top-tier finishing, and Rapid+ for explosive acceleration. Iniesta offers nearly perfect ball control with Tiki Taka+ and Incisive Pass+, making him a dream playmaker in tight spaces.

On the defensive side, Steffi Jones pairs 94 DEF with 90 PHY, plus Anticipate+ and Block+, giving you a rock at the heart of your backline. Gerrard provides the classic box-to-box presence – long shots, line-breaking passes, and strong physicality all in one Icon.

All Knockout Royalty Team 1 Heroes

Heroes represent cult favorites and club legends known for iconic knockout moments. For Team 1, at least two have been confirmed via leaks, with more rumored to be on the way as the promo progresses.

• Ole Gunnar Solskjær (88 OVR / ST): 88 PAC, 90 SHO, 80 PAS, 87 DRI, 47 DEF, 73 PHY – PlayStyles+: Finesse Shot+, Technical+
• Dirk Kuyt (88 OVR / CAM): 87 PAC, 90 SHO, 85 PAS, 88 DRI, 72 DEF, 84 PHY – PlayStyles+: Low Driven Shot+, Tiki Taka+

How to Use Knockout Royalty Heroes

Solskjær fits best as a penalty-box finisher or second striker, especially in narrow formations where his Finesse Shot+ can punish compact defenses. Dirk Kuyt is a perfect CAM or wide midfielder in high-intensity pressing systems: great stamina-style stats and a rare mix of shooting, passing, and defensive contribution.

EA FC 26 Knockout Royalty Team 1 & Team 2 Release Dates

According to early information and in-game loading screen hints, Knockout Royalty will run across two consecutive team releases in January 2026:

• Knockout Royalty Team 1 release date: January 13, 2026
• Knockout Royalty Team 2 release date: January 20, 2026

Both squads are expected to drop at the usual 10 AM PST Ultimate Team content refresh time. Team 2 should arrive as Team 1 rotates out of packs, so plan your pack openings and market activity around those dates.

Together with Team 2, EA is also set to release a new batch of Icon Swaps Tokens, giving you a chance to grind objectives and unlock high-end Icons – including duo PlayStyles+ versions of top-tier legends. To stay updated on exact rewards and token locations, keep an eye on EA's official channels and community resources such as the EA Sports news hub.

How to Prepare Your Club for Knockout Royalty

With Knockout Royalty bringing some of the strongest cards of the early 2026 cycle, preparation is crucial if you want to take advantage from day one.

1. Manage Your Packs and Store

If you have saved packs from objectives, Division Rivals, Squad Battles, or Champions, consider opening them once Team 1 is live to maximize your chance at pulling any of the new cards. For big pack openings, some players prefer waiting until both Team 1 and Team 2 are in packs (if such a rotation happens), but historically most promos keep only one team in packs at a time.

2. Plan SBC Fodder and Investments

Promos like Knockout Royalty usually arrive with themed SBCs and player picks. Keep an eye on:

• Upgraded player SBCs that match the promo theme
• Upgrade SBCs to recycle untradeables into better packs
• Icon and Hero SBCs tied to knockout competitions

Rather than instantly dumping all your high-rated fodder, monitor early SBC requirements and prices. Some fodder tends to spike in the first 24–48 hours of a major promo.

3. Identify Targets for Your Tactics

Think about how Knockout Royalty cards fit your preferred formations:

• Fast wingers like Vinícius Júnior or Kvaratskhelia for 4-3-3 and 4-2-3-1 systems.
• Creative midfielders such as Enzo Fernández, Bruno Guimarães, or Iniesta for possession-heavy tactics.
• Meta full-backs like Alphonso Davies and Ferland Mendy if you rely on overlapping runs and aggressive defending.
• Anchor centre-backs like Micky van de Ven or Steffi Jones for high-pressing or offside-trap styles.

Having a shopping list in mind will help you react quickly to early market undercuts and lightning rounds.

How ItemD2R Helps You Build a Knockout Royalty Squad

Building a competitive Ultimate Team during a major promo is not just about pack luck – it's also about how efficiently you can move on the transfer market and upgrade your squad at the right time. That's where having reliable access to in-game currency becomes a key advantage.

ItemD2R focuses on helping EA FC players keep up with every new wave of content, including promos like Knockout Royalty. When elite cards such as Mia Hamm, Rodri, Vinícius Júnior, or Micky van de Ven hit the market, prices can spike dramatically in the first hours after release. If you're short of coins at that moment, you may miss your window to buy before a card becomes permanently out of reach.

Through ItemD2R, players can quickly secure fut26 coins to react to market changes, complete SBCs that require high-rated squads, or instantly slot newly released Knockout Royalty cards into their starting XI. For those who like to grind gameplay but don't always have the time to trade aggressively, access to cheap fc26 coins can bridge the gap between a decent team and a truly elite competitive squad.

Instead of waiting weeks to slowly build enough club value, you can align your coin balance with the promo calendar: Team 1 drops on January 13, Team 2 on January 20, and Icon Swaps arrive alongside them. With enough coins on hand, you are free to:

• Buy your favorite Knockout Royalty players on day one.
• React quickly to price dips during lightning rounds.
• Complete crucial SBCs without completely draining your untradeable fodder.
• Experiment with new formations that maximize the strengths of your new cards.

If your goal is to keep up with the pace of the ever-changing EA FC 26 meta, combining smart gameplay with well-timed coin management is essential. ItemD2R simply gives you another tool to do that effectively across the Knockout Royalty promo and beyond.

FAQ: Knockout Royalty in EA FC 26

Is Knockout Royalty Team 1 confirmed or still leaked?

Most of the cards listed above are based on highly credible community leaks: ratings, positions, and PlayStyles+ have been circulated ahead of time. EA Sports may still adjust details before the promo is live, but the core player list and ratings are expected to remain largely accurate.

Can Knockout Royalty cards receive further upgrades?

At the time of writing, Knockout Royalty items appear as one-off special cards rather than live, performance-based upgrades like Road to the Knockouts or Ones To Watch. Unless EA announces a dynamic mechanic, treat these as fixed boosted versions.

How long will Knockout Royalty Team 1 stay in packs?

Following the usual Ultimate Team pattern, Team 1 should remain in packs for one week, from January 13 to January 20, 2026. After that, Team 2 will replace it. Exact timings are tied to the daily 10 AM PST content refresh.

Should I wait for Team 2 before opening packs?

It depends on your targets. If you are mainly interested in Team 1 cards like Mia Hamm, Vinícius Júnior, Rodri, or Micky van de Ven, opening during the first week makes sense. If leaked Team 2 players appeal more, you might want to save until they are confirmed. Many players split their pack openings across both weeks to hedge their bets.

What's the best way to afford Knockout Royalty cards?

Combine gameplay rewards, smart trading, and efficient club management. Monitor pack supply, especially during lightning rounds, and look for underpriced listings on the market. If you need an extra push to reach specific transfer targets or complete expensive SBCs, consider topping up your balance through reliable sources of fut26 coins so you don't miss your opportunity while prices are still manageable.

With Knockout Royalty bringing some of the most exciting players of EA FC 26 so far, careful planning and smart resource management can turn this promo into a huge boost for your Ultimate Team club.