In the fiercely competitive world of EA Sports FC 25 Ultimate Team, reaching a 98 overall rating (OVR) is a monumental achievement — one that distinguishes casual players from the elite. As players worldwide strive to construct the ultimate squad to dominate FUT Champions and weekend leagues, understanding how to build a 98-rated team efficiently is paramount. This guide breaks down the key strategies, player selection tips, and EA FC 25 Coins resource management tactics you need to know to create FC 25’s first 98-rated Ultimate Team.
Why Aim for 98 OVR?
The 98 OVR milestone in FC 25 Ultimate Team signals a near-perfect squad in terms of player quality, chemistry, and balance. Teams at this rating typically feature top-tier meta players, a seamless blend of FUTTIES and Team of the Season (TOTS) cards, and optimized formations that maximize chemistry boosts.
The benefits of a 98 OVR squad include:
Competitive edge: Higher-rated players generally have better stats across the board, allowing for improved dribbling, shooting, pace, and defense.
Meta advantages: Many 98+ rated players come with special cards that have meta-friendly traits and unique skill moves.
Bragging rights: Few players reach this level of team-building finesse, making it a prestigious accomplishment within the FC community.
Step 1: Set a Clear Budget and Timeline
Building a 98-rated Ultimate Team requires careful planning — especially around coins and resources.
Budget: Most players aiming for a 98 OVR squad will need a significant coin reserve, often in the millions, to acquire top players and valuable consumables.
Timeline: Building the first 98-rated squad is rarely instant. It involves grinding SBCs, FUT Champions rewards, objectives, and trading to gather the necessary resources.
Plan your squad-building in phases. Start by upgrading core positions with top 90+ rated players, then gradually replace them with 94-98 rated FUTTIES and special cards as your budget grows.
Step 2: Pick a Formation That Maximizes Chemistry
Chemistry is crucial to unlock the full potential of your players. A 98 OVR team is only as good as its chemistry allows. Some popular meta formations in FC 25 include:
4-2-3-1 Wide: Offers balance between attack and defense, with strong chemistry links on the wings and midfield.
4-3-3 (Attack or Defensive): Great for fast wingers and strong midfield control.
3-5-2: Ideal for teams with powerful central midfielders and strikers, allowing multiple chemistry links in the middle.
Choose a formation that suits your playstyle and that allows you to use your highest-rated players while maximizing nation, league, and club chemistry links.
Step 3: Prioritize FUTTIES and TOTS Players
To reach that coveted 98 OVR, incorporating the best FUTTIES and Team of the Season (TOTS) cards is essential.
FUTTIES: These cards are among the most powerful in FC 25, featuring boosted stats and enhanced skill moves that make a difference on the pitch. Popular FUTTIES players often include fan-favorites like Messi, Ronaldo, and Mbappé.
TOTS: Released during the peak of the season, TOTS cards boast some of the highest stats available and typically fit well into many squads due to their league-based chemistry.
While these cards are expensive, targeting one or two key FUTTIES players early and complementing them with high-rated TOTS and Icon cards can drastically boost your squad rating.
Step 4: Smart Use of Icons and Hybrid Links
In Ultimate Team, Icons are the ultimate chemistry fixers. Their ability to link with any player regardless of league or nationality helps build stronger hybrid squads.
Use Icons in key midfield or defensive positions where chemistry links are otherwise hard to achieve.
Popular Icons like Pelé, Ronaldinho, or Gullit not only offer high ratings but also bring unique animations and abilities that change match dynamics.
Hybrid squads combining Premier League, La Liga, Bundesliga, and Serie A stars become more feasible with Icons bridging the gaps.
Step 5: Focus on Key Positions for Upgrade Priority
Not all positions need to be upgraded simultaneously to reach a 98 OVR. Prioritize upgrading certain positions first to maximize overall rating impact:
Striker: High-rated strikers like Ronaldo or Mbappé provide immediate offensive firepower and help boost squad rating.
Central Midfield: Upgrading to dynamic playmakers with high passing and dribbling boosts overall team chemistry.
Central Defense and Goalkeeper: Having reliable defenders and a top-tier goalkeeper solidifies your defense and can be the difference in tight games.
Step 6: Leverage Squad Building Challenges (SBCs) and Objectives
SBCs and objectives are crucial to building a 98-rated team without solely relying on the transfer market:
SBCs: These allow you to exchange lower-rated players or squads for high-rated FUTTIES or TOTS cards. Some SBCs also offer coins and packs that can net you more valuable players.
Objectives: Weekly and seasonal objectives provide packs, coins, and exclusive cards. Completing them helps accumulate resources without spending coins.
Combining these avenues with smart trading allows you to grow your squad organically.
Step 7: Optimize Player Chemistry Styles and Manager Bonuses
Maximizing player potential goes beyond just the base card rating:
Apply chemistry styles that amplify player strengths or cover weaknesses — for example, applying “Hunter” on pace-reliant strikers or “Shadow” on defenders to boost defense and speed.
Select managers who provide nationality or league chemistry bonuses to push your squad chemistry closer to 100.
Step 8: Fine-Tuning and Testing
Once you assemble your 98-rated team, test it extensively:
Use Squad Battles or Friendly Matches to see how your new players mesh on the pitch.
Adjust tactics and instructions to suit the strengths of your squad.
Keep an eye on the FUT market for opportunities to upgrade or swap out players as the meta evolves.
Final Thoughts
Building the first 98-rated Ultimate Team in FC 25 is no small feat. It demands a blend of strategic planning, smart resource management, and keen knowledge of the FUT market and meta. By focusing on key player acquisitions, chemistry optimization, and leveraging in-game content like SBCs and objectives, you can take your squad from a modest 85 OVR to a staggering 98 OVR powerhouse.
With patience and persistence, your dream Ultimate Team can become a reality — dominating FUT Champions and establishing your legacy in the fiercely competitive buy EA FC Coins community.
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