Best Career Mode teams to try
If you’re looking for more than just a standard Career Mode in EA FC 26, this guide is for you. We’ve scoured the footballing world to find clubs with rich histories, passionate fanbases, and iconic kits that are now struggling or fighting their way back to the top. These are teams that offer more than just matches—they offer a story.
Here, we’ve created a challenge for you to start each rebuild, estimated their budget, and shown you which division they are currently playing in. Be prepared to hire the best coaches and tweak your tactical vision to bring success to each.
Sunderland
- The challenge: Sunderland, a club with a rich history including six top-flight titles and two FA Cups, have faced recent challenges. They secured promotion to the Premier League in the 2024–25 season after a playoff victory over Sheffield United, marking their return to the top flight for the first time since 2017. The goal now is to stabilize in the Premier League and build a squad capable of competing at that level.
- Current division (25/26): Premier League
- Transfer Budget: £35m
Como 1907
- The challenge: Como 1907 returned to Serie A in the 2024–25 season after a 21-year absence. Under the guidance of manager Cesc Fàbregas, they finished 10th in their first season back. The challenge is to build upon this foundation, strengthen the squad, and aim for consistent mid-table finishes or higher in Serie A.
- Current division (25/26): Serie A
- Transfer Budget: £44.38m
Venezia FC
- The challenge: Venezia FC, a club with a rich history and passionate fanbase, faced a challenging 2024–25 Serie A season. Despite a strong offensive showing, they struggled defensively, leading to their relegation to Serie B. The challenge now is to rebuild the squad, strengthen the defense, and aim for a swift return to Italy’s top flight. Plus, they have absolutely lovely kits.
- Current division (25/26): Serie B
- Transfer Budget: £12.07m
Sampdoria
- The challenge: Sampdoria, once a dominant force in Italian football, have faced relegation struggles in recent years. They were relegated to Serie B in the 2023–24 season. The club’s challenge is to rebuild, secure promotion back to Serie A, and restore their former glory.
- Current division (25/26): Serie B
- Transfer Budget: £6.91m
Empoli FC
- The challenge: Empoli FC, once a steady presence in Serie A, faced relegation to Serie B after the 2024–25 season. Despite a strong start, a series of injuries and a lack of victories in the latter half of the season led to their downfall. The club aims to rebuild, focusing on squad development and aiming for a swift return to Italy’s top flight.
- Current division (25/26): Serie B
- Transfer Budget: £13.98m
Hannover 96
- The challenge: Hannover 96, a club with a rich history in German football, have faced challenges in recent years. They finished 13th in the 2024–25 2. Bundesliga season. The club aims to rebuild, secure promotion to the Bundesliga, and re-establish themselves as a top-flight team.
- Current division (25/26): 2. Bundesliga
- Budget (approx): £12.9m
Norwich City
- The challenge: Norwich City, a club with a rich history, finished 13th in the 2024–25 EFL Championship season. The challenge is to rebuild the squad, focusing on youth development and strategic signings to secure promotion back to the Premier League.
- Current division (25/26): Championship
- Transfer Budget: £10.73m
Schalke 04
- The challenge: Schalke 04, a club with a storied history, were relegated to the 2. Bundesliga in the 2023–24 season. They finished 5th in the 2024–25 season, just missing out on promotion. The challenge is to strengthen the squad, secure promotion, and restore their status in the Bundesliga.
- Current division (25/26): 2. Bundesliga
- Transfer Budget: £5.12m
Stoke City
- The challenge: Stoke City, once a Premier League club, were relegated to the Championship in the 2017–18 season. They finished 8th in the 2024–25 Championship season. The challenge is to strengthen the squad, secure promotion to the Premier League, and re-establish themselves as a top-flight team.
- Current division (25/26): Championship
- Transfer Budget: £5.62m
FC Nürnberg
- The challenge: 1. FC Nürnberg, a club with a rich history in German football, finished 10th in the 2024–25 2. Bundesliga season. The club aims to rebuild, secure promotion to the Bundesliga, and re-establish themselves as a top-flight team.
- Current division (25/26): 2. Bundesliga
- Transfer Budget: £4.82m
Bolton Wanderers
- The challenge: Bolton Wanderers, once a staple in the Premier League, are in the midst of a rebuild after relegation from the Championship. They finished 8th in League One during the 2024–25 season, narrowly missing out on the playoffs. The goal is to strengthen the squad and secure promotion to the Championship.
- Current division (25/26): League One
- Transfer Budget: £2.68m
Sheffield Wednesday
- The challenge: Sheffield Wednesday, a club with a rich history, finished 12th in the 2024–25 EFL Championship season. The challenge is to rebuild the squad, focusing on youth development and strategic signings to secure promotion to the Premier League.
- Current division (25/26): Championship
- Transfer Budget: £2.41m
Swansea City
- The challenge: Swansea City, once a Premier League club, finished 11th in the 2024–25 EFL Championship season. The challenge is to rebuild the squad, focusing on youth development and strategic signings to secure promotion back to the Premier League.
- Current division (25/26): Championship
- Transfer Budget: £6.99m
West Bromwich Albion
- The challenge: West Bromwich Albion, a club with a storied history, finished 9th in the 2024–25 EFL Championship season. The challenge is to rebuild the squad, focusing on youth development and strategic signings to secure promotion back to the Premier League.
- Current division (25/26): Championship
- Transfer Budget: £9.37m
Montpellier HSC
- The challenge: Montpellier HSC, once a dominant force in French football, has been relegated from Ligue 1 after finishing 18th in the 2024–25 season. This marks the end of their 16-year top-flight tenure. The club now faces the challenge of rebuilding its squad and aiming for a swift return to Ligue 1.
- Current division (25/26): Ligue 2
- Transfer Budget: £4.35m
UD Almería
- The challenge: UD Almería, a club with a rich history, finished 6th in the 2024–25 Segunda División season, narrowly missing out on promotion. The challenge is to strengthen the squad and secure promotion to La Liga.
- Current division (25/26): LaLiga 2
- Transfer Budget: £9.33m
Deportivo La Coruña
- The challenge: Once a dominant force in Spanish football, Deportivo La Coruña now finds itself in LaLiga 2, aiming to reclaim its former glory. The club’s challenge is to rebuild its squad, focusing on youth development and strategic signings to secure promotion back to LaLiga.
- Current division (25/26): LaLiga 2
- Transfer Budget: £5.89m
AS Saint-Étienne
- The challenge: AS Saint-Étienne, a club with a rich history, finished 10th in the 2024–25 Ligue 2 season. The challenge is to rebuild the squad, focusing on youth development and strategic signings to secure promotion to Ligue 1.
- Current division (25/26): Ligue 2
- Transfer Budget: £5.62m
Málaga CF
- The challenge: Málaga CF, a club with a rich history, secured promotion to LaLiga 2 (Segunda División) for the 2024–25 season. They finished 16th in the league, narrowly avoiding relegation. The challenge now is to strengthen the squad, focusing on youth development and strategic signings to ensure survival and aim for a mid-table finish in the upcoming season.
- Current division (25/26): LaLiga 2
- Transfer Budget: £5.94m
Career Mode guides
Up Next: Best young players