EA Sports has maintained a consistent release rhythm for its flagship football series. The first major promo typically goes live on the same day as the worldwide game release, ensuring that all players—regardless of early access—can participate immediately. Historically, the game launches on the final Friday of September, making Friday, September 25, 2025 the most probable date for Cornerstones to begin. Content is expected to drop at 6 PM UK time (1 PM EST / 10 AM PST), marking the official start of the EA FC 26 promo calendar and injecting a wave of high-value special cards into the market.
The Cornerstones promo, first introduced in FIFA 23, highlights players who embody the essence of their club’s identity and ambitions. Selection tends to focus on several key profiles:
- Youth and High Potential: Emerging talents already cemented in the first team and seen as the club’s future.
- New Marquee Signings: Recent acquisitions expected to become the centerpiece of a club’s project.
- Established Leaders: Players in their prime who have become indispensable to their team’s success.
- Breakout Stars: Individuals whose performances in the previous season made them irreplaceable assets.
PlayerClubLeagueReason for Selection=rightJude Bellingham=rightReal Madrid=rightLa Liga=rightLeader on and off the pitch, central to Madrid’s future at a young age.=rightCole Palmer=rightChelsea=rightPremier League=rightCreative force and key goal contributor, vital to Chelsea’s rebuild.=rightFlorian Wirtz=rightBayer Leverkusen=rightBundesliga=rightOrchestrator of Leverkusen’s attack, dictating tempo and creativity.=rightLamine Yamal=rightFC Barcelona=rightLa Liga=rightGenerational talent, already a starter and symbol of Barca’s future.=rightWarren Zaïre-Emery=rightParis Saint-Germain=rightLigue 1=rightLocal talent anchoring PSG’s midfield, reflecting a youth-focused strategy.=rightKobbie Mainoo=rightManchester United=rightPremier League=rightBrought stability and quality to United’s midfield in a breakout season.=rightViktor Gyökeres=rightSporting CP=rightLiga Portugal=rightProlific scorer transforming Sporting’s attack into a dominant force.=rightJeremie Frimpong=rightBayer Leverkusen=rightBundesliga=rightExplosive wing-back offering width and attacking threat in abundance.Cornerstones will likely be supported by diverse content to keep engagement high. Player Squad Building Challenges (SBCs) are expected, offering exclusive untradeable Cornerstones cards in exchange for completing squad submissions. Potential SBC candidates include versatile talents like Xavi Simons, whose popularity and skill set make him a strong fit.
Objective-based rewards will also be part of the promo, enabling players to earn special cards through gameplay achievements such as scoring or assisting with certain leagues or nations. A player like Riccardo Calafiori, after a standout Serie A season, could be a fitting objective prize.
Evolutions, a popular feature in EA FC 24, are anticipated to return with a “Cornerstone Foundation” theme. This would allow users to upgrade a low-rated young player from their preferred club into a usable Cornerstones card by completing challenges, adding a personalized and club-focused dimension to the promo.
As September 2025 approaches, official announcements and concrete leaks will clarify the final player list and event details. However, all signs point to Cornerstones being a dynamic and fitting launch event for EA FC 26 Ultimate Team, celebrating footballers who will shape the sport’s next era. Players aiming to maximize early-game potential may find it worthwhile to secure fut 26 coins for sale ahead of release to take full advantage of the promo’s opportunities.