The Future Stars Academy is one of the most powerful evolution paths available, but only if you complete it correctly. With multiple branches, capped upgrades, play style limits, and easily missed requirements, it’s surprisingly easy to ruin an otherwise elite card. This guide walks you through the entire Future Stars Academy process from start to finish, explaining exactly how to build the best possible version of your player without wasting any upgrades. The right FC 26 Coins can greatly help you level up.

Step 1: Claim the Academy Contract

Before anything else, make sure you’ve actually claimed the Future Stars Academy evolution. If you don’t see it in your evolutions tab, head to the Store and attempt to open a pack. You’ll be prompted to deal with unassigned items, where the academy contract will be waiting. Claim it, then navigate to the Academy section under Evolutions to begin.

Step 2: Choosing the Right Player

Player selection is the most important decision you’ll make. While popular options are tempting, the best Academy cards usually start with zero play styles, allowing you to add the maximum number later. Players like O’Reilly, Ialey, or Stefan are excellent examples.

If you don’t care about play style optimization, feel free to pick anyone you enjoy. However, if your goal is to create a true meta card, avoid players who already come loaded with play styles unless you’re comfortable hitting the cap early.

Also, be sure to choose the correct path for the player’s position:

Attackers and midfielders should follow attacking or midfield paths

Defenders should always follow the defender path

Mixing these leads to wasted stats, such as defensive awareness on attackers or shooting boosts on center-backs.

Step 3: Start the Evolution (But Don’t Rush)

Once you select your player and activate the Academy evolution, stop before committing to stat upgrades. Instead, head directly to Objectives → Scouting Report. Completing these objectives early prevents future restrictions and gives you access to crucial upgrades.

You’ll need to:

Play matches

Win matches

Score goals

These can be completed in Squad Battles, Rivals, Rush, or Events. Squad Battles on Semi-Pro is the fastest and safest option.

Step 4: Claim Rewards in the Correct Order

Once objectives are complete, you’ll unlock:

Skill Move upgrade

Weak Foot upgrade

Base Play Style pack

Play Style Plus pack

Apply weak foot and skill moves first, before touching stats. Most players are capped at four stars initially, so don’t waste these upgrades later when they no longer apply.

After upgrading both, you should still have one extra slot for each saved for later stages.

Step 5: Adding Base Play Styles

You can now add base play styles, keeping in mind the maximum play style limit (usually six or seven). Choose styles that match how you actually play.

Strong universal picks include:

Tiki Taka

Low Driven Shot

Trickster

Whipped Pass

Relentless (situational)

Avoid defensive play styles unless the card truly needs them. Once capped, you won’t be able to add more, so plan carefully.

Step 6: Choosing Play Style Plus Upgrades

Play Style Plus upgrades come in two separate batches and cannot be mixed. The first group includes options like:

Finesse Shot+

Rapid+

Quick Step+

Intercept+

The second group includes:

First Touch+

Technical+

Pinged Pass+

Press Proven+

Choose one from each batch based on role. For attacking wide players, Finesse Shot+ and First Touch+ are elite. Midfielders may prefer Pinged Pass+ or Technical+.

Step 7: Role and Position Boosts

Next, assign role upgrades. Always give your player boosts for every position they will realistically play. For wide players, this usually means Left Mid and Left Wing (or right-sided equivalents).

Fully upgraded roles grant pluses across the board and maximize in-game performance.

Step 8: First Stat Evolution (86–88 Rated)

Choose your stat path carefully:

Attacker path boosts finishing, pace, and dribbling

Midfielder path improves passing, reactions, and ball control

Complete the required objectives (usually wins and goals) using your evolved player. Goals must be scored by the Future Star, not teammates.

Once finished, your player reaches 88 overall.

Step 9: Five-Star Upgrade Choice

At 88 rated, you’ll unlock a choice between:

Five-star skill moves

Five-star weak foot

You can only select one, even though the objective appears repeatable. Most players benefit more from a five-star weak foot unless your playstyle heavily relies on advanced skills.

Step 10: Second Play Style Plus & Final Evolution

After unlocking the second Play Style Plus, apply it immediately. You can now either:

Stop here to save the card for future evolutions

Or complete the final evolution for full chemistry

Completing the final step grants full chemistry regardless of league or nation, making the card incredibly flexible for squad building.

Final Result

When completed correctly, your Future Stars Academy player will have:

88–90 overall rating

Five-star weak foot or skills

Multiple base play styles

Two Play Style Plus upgrades

Fully upgraded roles

Full chemistry in any squad

This makes the Academy one of the strongest long-term evolution systems available—but only if you follow the steps in the right order. Having sufficient cheap FC 26 Coins can be very helpful.