You’ve decided to take on EA Sports FC 25’s Ultimate Team, that’s a good choice. Since you are new to the franchise, it can feel like stepping into a chaotic stadium filled with shouting fans, complex stats, and highly skilled players who are just waiting to take your lunch money.
After all, the mode is the most competitive in the game, where players build, upgrade, and battle with their custom dream teams.
It’s a journey filled with wild highs, tactical decisions, and a fair bit of heartbreak. However, don’t worry you’re about to get a crash course on how to go from a newbie to a seasoned manager.
First Steps in Ultimate Team
Naming Your Team
Your team name is the first thing the world will see, so make it count. Will you name it after a childhood hero, add a clever twist on a classic pun, or go rogue with something completely outlandish?
Choose wisely, as this name will haunt — I mean, represent — your club forever. And while it can be changed, nothing says “rookie” like a team name change every month. Make it memorable, make it fun, and make it you.
Choosing Your Starter Pack
Your team-building journey kicks off by selecting a starter pack based on one of nine nations.
This choice has lasting impacts on your early gameplay, so if you want to create a solid squad quickly, lean toward France or Spain. These countries tend to offer a larger selection of affordable players on the market, which is perfect for filling out your initial roster without spending all your early coins.
And don’t worry if you’re left with a few players who look like they’re still figuring out which way to kick the ball — we all start somewhere.
Loan Player & Kits
Next, you’ll select a loan player who will give your squad a temporary boost. Got your eye on a lethal striker? Maybe you need a rock-solid center-back? Pick the position that needs the most help and watch this player temporarily elevate your team (and hopefully save you from too many early losses).
Finally, choose your kits.
It might seem trivial, but this is where you get to show off your fashion sense on the virtual pitch. Don’t worry — you can change kits anytime, so feel free to experiment.
Add a badge, and voila! You’ve just completed your first big steps into Ultimate Team.
Foundation Objectives
When you’re just starting, it can be tempting to jump right into matches, but the Foundation Objectives will give you a much-needed head start. They’re simple, mostly pain-free tasks that offer coins, XP, and packs — the very lifeblood of your Ultimate Team experience.
The Foundation Objectives Rundown
Here’s a quick breakdown of what to expect. These objectives include things like:
- Buying a Player – Get yourself a player, any player, and watch the coins trickle in.
- Playing a Rivals Match – Yes, even beginners are pushed into Rivals, but don’t worry; it’s just one match, and you’re rewarded for trying.
By completing these challenges, you’ll build up a nice stash of rewards, which is essential for making those first squad improvements.
Finishing all objectives in a category, like “Squad Maintenance,” grants you a 75+ x2 Rare Gold Players Pack, some coins, and a few other goodies. It’s not a life-changing haul, but it’ll make a big difference in these early stages.
Foundation SBCs: A Quick Way to Earn Rewards
Squad Building Challenges, or SBCs, can feel like puzzling algebra problems at first, but they’re worth the effort.
These are challenges that require you to submit players according to specific requirements to earn rewards. They’re a great way to turn extra players into something useful, especially since some of these challenges offer rare packs.
Foundations I & Beyond
The first SBC you’ll face is “Foundations I.” It’s as simple as tossing a few bronze players into the mix to earn a couple of basic packs.
Once you’ve tackled this, the real fun begins. Subsequent Foundation SBCs, like “Foundations II,” offer premium loan players or rare gold player packs.
You might not get a superstar, but every boost helps, and there’s always that dream of pulling a top-tier player from one of these packs.
Squad Battles: Building Skills & Earning Rewards Offline
Once your squad is assembled, it’s time to start testing your mettle — and Squad Battles are the perfect place for that.
This is EA’s best offline mode, where you compete against AI-controlled teams of varying difficulty levels. Choose a difficulty that suits your skill, and you’ll earn rewards every Sunday based on your performance.
Why Squad Battles?
Squad Battles let you practice, test new tactics, and build chemistry without the stress of a human opponent ready to exploit every mistake.
At Gold III, a respectable rank, you’ll receive a “Jumbo Premium Gold Pack,” a “75+ x5 Rare Gold Players Pack,” and 3,000 coins. This isn’t going to transform your team overnight, but it’s enough to keep the momentum going.
There’s something satisfying about grinding through offline matches, tweaking your formation and tactics, and watching your squad slowly come together.
Rush Mode
The new kid on the block, Rush mode, is EA’s five-a-side mini football mode — and it’s chaotic fun. Instead of the standard eleven players, you’ll have a compact squad on a small pitch, which leads to fast, frantic gameplay. Rush mode rewards you with SP (Season Points) that go toward Ultimate Team rewards.
Why Bother with Rush?
The rewards. For example, earning 5,000 SP nets you an 84-rated Ryan Gauld.
And the more you play, the better the rewards. Rush mode is quick, it’s fun, and it gives you another way to earn those all-important rewards. Get your friends involved for some added fun, or take on random players and enjoy the fresh gameplay.
Evolutions: Turning Hidden Gems into Stars
Evolutions allows you to upgrade lower-rated players, turning them from benchwarmers into main squad material.
For example, in the “We Play Possession” evolution, you can upgrade any player (as long as they’re not a striker and meet the rating requirements) through specific challenges.
This adds a strategic element, as you can focus on evolving players who fit your playstyle. Plus, it feels pretty great to take a lesser-known player and build them up into a star that holds their own against the big names.
Custom Tactics – Craft Your Game Plan
Once your squad is somewhat solidified, it’s time to explore tactics and formations.
This can make a huge difference, especially if you’re facing more experienced players online. EAFC 25’s AI is responsive to formations, so don’t be afraid to experiment. Some tried-and-true setups include the 4-1-2-1-2 (Narrow) and the 4-3-3 (4) for more width.
Finding Your Preferred Playstyle
The beauty of EAFC 25 is the range of tactics available. Want a high press? Go for it. Prefer a more counter-attacking approach? Set it up. There’s no single “best” way to play; it’s about finding what works for you and sticking with it. Over time, you’ll get a feel for which formations and tactics make your team shine, turning them into an Ultimate Team powerhouse.
Division Rivals and Champions
With your squad assembled, your tactics set, and your offline practice under your belt, it’s time for the ultimate test — Division Rivals and Champions. This is where you face the best of the best, each week competing for placement and rewards.
A Word of Advice
Rivals is intense, but remember, every match helps you learn. Watch replays, analyze your opponents’ tactics, and adjust accordingly. Soon, you’ll be climbing the ranks with confidence, and who knows? Champions may be within reach sooner than you think. It’s a long road, but the rewards make it all worth it.
Final Whistle
Congratulations – you now have all the foundational knowledge to start your Ultimate Team journey in EA Sports FC 25!
The road to glory in UT is paved with lots of little victories (and a few heart-wrenching defeats).
With each step, you’ll see your squad transform, and before long, you’ll have a team you’re proud to bring into the most competitive matches.
