FC 26's "Year of the Fullbacks" Evolution is now live in Ultimate Team, letting players upgrade a left-back or right-back for free. The Evolution is notable because it not only boosts key attributes but also switches the player's position to include centre-back, effectively turning a fullback into a more versatile defender at no cost.

To use it, a card must have a maximum overall of 95, up to five listed positions, no more than ten PlayStyles and four PlayStyle+ traits, and be an LB or RB. Across four levels, the Evolution adds boosts including overall, aggression, jumping, reactions, strength, stamina, tackling, heading and interceptions, plus new PlayStyles such as Intercept, Anticipate and Aerial Fortress, with each level requiring just one match played in Squad Battles or similar modes. Recommended players to apply it to include Theo Hernandez, Joao Cancelo, Icon Maldini, Icon Cafu, Icon Thuram, Dumfries and Kounde, with the suggestion to use it within an existing evolution chain for the best results.