MMOexp-FC 26: Joe Gomez Path to Glory CB Verdict

Chunzliu

With Christmas just around the corner and EA FC 26 entering a critical phase of the Ultimate Team cycle, EA has dropped one of the most nostalgic defensive SBCs of the year: Joe Gomez's Path to Glory card. For longtime FIFA fans, this release feels almost surreal. Two years ago, Joe Gomez was one of those cards-low-rated on paper, completely broken in-game, and a staple in competitive squads well above his rating.

Now, he's back. And after extensive Elite Rivals testing across multiple matches, one thing is clear: Joe Gomez is once again built differently.

But is he worth the fodder? Does he compete with the ever-growing power of Evolutions? And where exactly should you play him? Let's break everything down.

SBC Overview and Card Basics FC 26 Coins

Joe Gomez's Path to Glory SBC requires four squads, including a couple of 87-rated segments, putting his total cost at roughly 190k coins at launch. That price point already tells you EA sees this card as more than just SBC filler.

Here's what stands out immediately:

Height: 6'2"

Body Type: Unique

AcceleRATE: Lengthy

Weak Foot / Skills: 4★ / 4★

Primary Positions: CB, RB

Alternate Positions: LB, RM

On paper, the versatility is impressive, but as we'll get into later, this card has one clear identity.

PlayStyles and Traits: Not Perfect, But Promising

Joe Gomez comes equipped with Anticipate+, one of the most impactful defensive PlayStyle Pluses in EA FC 26. While last year Anticipate was arguably the gold standard for center backs, this year it competes with Intercept, Jockey, and Bruiser depending on your defending style.

Final Verdict

Joe Gomez's Path to Glory SBC feels like a respectful nod to FIFA history-and a genuinely strong card in the current EA FC 26 meta.

Pros:

Elite recovery speed

Anticipate+ is excellent

Unique body type matters

Strong links

Reliable manual defending

Cons: EAFC 26 Coins

No Jockey or Bruiser

Expensive SBC

Limited positional flexibility

Overall Rating: ★★★★☆ (4.5/5)

If you have the fodder and need a center back you can trust in Elite Rivals or Champs, Joe Gomez is a fantastic addition. He's not flashy, he's not meta-breaking-but he's dependable, consistent, and feels right every time you step into a tackle.