FC 25 96+ Encore Icon Player Pick SBC Guide: The Ultimate Chance to Pack Football Legends

 

The FC 25 96+ Encore Icon Player Pick SBC has quickly become one of the most talked-about challenges in EA Sports FC 25 Ultimate Team. More than just another Squad Building Challenge (SBC), it represents a celebration of football's most legendary players, offering FUT fans the chance to EA FC 25 Coins secure one of the greatest cards ever released in the game.

With a reward pool restricted exclusively to Shapeshifters and FUTTIES Icons rated 96 and above, this SBC is stacked with nothing but elite-tier cards. Whether you're chasing the Brazilian magic of Pelé and Ronaldo, the Dutch mastery of Cruyff, or the game-breaking dominance of newer Icons in their peak forms, this SBC is an absolute dream for FUT enthusiasts.

In this article, we'll break down everything you need to know about the 96+ Encore Icon Player Pick SBC, including its requirements, value, best pulls, and strategic advice for players who want to maximize their FIFA 25 Coins and make the most of this golden opportunity.

Why This SBC Stands Out in FC 25

Throughout Ultimate Team's history, Icon SBCs have been some of the most exciting and rewarding challenges. Yet, the 96+ Encore Icon Player Pick SBC raises the bar. Here's why:

Guaranteed High-Rated Icons – The SBC only includes Icons rated 96 or higher, removing the frustration of pulling outdated or mid-tier versions of legends. Every option is elite.

Shapeshifters & FUTTIES Only – These are some of the most powerful promos in FC 25, with heavily boosted stats and alternate positions, meaning the icons you pack are not just historical greats—they're also meta-breaking.

Player Pick Format – Unlike a single pack gamble, the Player Pick mechanic gives you a choice between multiple options, significantly increasing your odds of landing a player that fits your team.

Endgame Power – At this stage of FC 25, power creep has reached its peak, but FUTTIES and Shapeshifters Icons are designed to remain relevant until the very end of the game cycle.

For many fans, this SBC isn't just about strengthening their club—it's about celebrating football history with the best versions of legendary players.

SBC Requirements: What You'll Need

While the specific squad requirements may vary slightly depending on EA's tuning, here's what most FUT players can expect:

3–4 high-rated squads (often 90+, 91+, 92+, or even 93+ OVR teams).

Heavy use of Team of the Season (TOTS) or special promo cards.

High chemistry thresholds (to encourage creative squad building).

Estimated cost: 2.5M–3.5M FIFA 25 Coins, depending on the market.

This means the SBC is one of the most expensive challenges of the year, but given the exclusivity and ceiling of potential rewards, it's seen as well worth the investment.

Best Possible Pulls

The reward pool is stacked with Icons that FUT fans dream of owning. Here are some of the top-tier pulls you could land:

Ronaldo Nazário (Shapeshifters / FUTTIES) – The definition of the perfect striker. 5-star skills, 5-star weak foot, blistering pace, and unmatched dribbling.

Pelé – A magician with maxed-out stats, capable of playing across multiple attacking positions.

Johan Cruyff – Fluid, elegant, and lethal, his Shapeshifters/FUTTIES versions are among the most versatile attackers.

Zinedine Zidane – A midfield maestro, capable of controlling games with unrivaled vision, strength, and technique.

Ronaldinho – A fan-favorite with jaw-dropping flair, skills, and attacking creativity.

Eusébio – A clinical forward who combines speed, finishing, and power.

George Best – One of the most reliable wide attackers in the game, with sublime agility and creativity.

Gullit – A FUT icon in every sense of the word. His Shapeshifters/FUTTIES cards dominate midfield battles like no other.

Each of these players is endgame quality, meaning you won't have to worry about replacing them again this year.

Value Analysis: Is It Worth Completing?

The question on every FUT player's mind: Is the 96+ Encore Icon Player Pick SBC worth it?

The short answer: Yes—if you can afford it.

Here's why:

Every option in the pool is a meta-breaking card. There are no “bad” pulls in the traditional sense since the SBC guarantees a 96+ Shapeshifters or FUTTIES Icon.

Many of these cards are valued well above the SBC cost on the transfer market, especially Ronaldo, Pelé, and Cruyff.

The Player Pick format gives you at least some control, reducing the risk of total disappointment.

That said, this SBC comes with a massive coin and fodder drain, so casual players should be cautious. If you're low on FUT Coins, you may want to grind upgrade SBCs, sell off unused cards, or wait for the market dip before attempting this challenge.

How to Prepare for the SBC

For players looking to take on the challenge without completely draining their resources, here are some strategies:

Save High-Rated Fodder – Use TOTS cards, duplicate FUTTIES, or other special promo cards to cut costs.

Grind Upgrade SBCs – Repeatable upgrades (like 85+ x10 packs) can generate fodder for cheaper than buying cards directly.

Complete Objectives & Milestones – Many ongoing events drop free packs and high-rated players.

Sell Unused Players – Convert club depth into coins by offloading cards that don't fit your team.

Use the Market Timing – Complete squads during low-demand periods, such as post-reward market crashes.

Smart resource management can reduce the overall cost by several hundred thousand coins.

Community Reaction

The FUT community has responded to this SBC with massive hype. On social platforms, players are sharing clips of pulling Ronaldo, Zidane, and Cruyff, while others enjoy the thrill of risking it all for a football legend.

It's clear that EA Sports has struck the right balance with this challenge:

High cost, but high reward.

Limited pool, but elite options only.

Nostalgia and gameplay value combined.

For many, this SBC feels like the perfect send-off to the FC 25 Ultimate Team cycle.

Final Thoughts

The FC 25 96+ Encore Icon Player Pick SBC is more than just a squad-building challenge—it's a chance to immortalize football legends in your Ultimate Team. With only the most powerful Shapeshifters and FUTTIES Icons available, every pull feels like a win, and the excitement of choosing between three or more 96+ rated legends is unmatched.

Whether you're a FUT grinder with millions of coins or cheap FIFA 25Coins a casual player looking to take one last shot at glory, this SBC represents one of the best experiences EA Sports has ever crafted in Ultimate Team. If you can afford it, don't miss out—it might just deliver the most iconic player you'll ever pack.