Destructoid has published a guide to EA Sports FC 26's "Make Your National Pride Star" Evolution, a card-upgrading feature available through the Season 9 Pass. The Evolution is split into two parts, with the first unlocking from Level 1 and the second from Level 14, allowing players to substantially boost a chosen card and ultimately transform it into a National Pride item.

The first evolution has four upgrade levels covering attributes such as Overall (to 95), Acceleration, Finishing, Dribbling, Passing and defensive stats, while the second adds further boosts including an extra Overall point, improved Ball Control, a four-star Weak Foot and four-star Skills. Entry requirements cap eligible cards at 94 Overall (then exactly 95 for part two) with a maximum of three PlayStyle+, and each upgrade step simply requires playing one match with the active EVO player. The guide recommends candidate cards including Paralluelo, Ronaldinho, Fede Valverde, Beckham, Messi, Iñaki Williams, Yamal, Hancko, Kanté and Bellingham, noting players should be able to add a fifth PlayStyle+ before Season 9 ends.