As I booted up EA Sports FC 25 in early 2026, a new, shimmering challenge awaited me: the World Tour France League Upgrade Squad Building Challenges. The promise of exclusive, powerful World Tour cards was too tempting to ignore. These weren't just any player items; they were trophies, testaments to managerial skill and squad-building prowess. I knew the path wouldn't be easy—eleven distinct hurdles stood between me and the ultimate prize. Each one required assembling a unique squad from the rich tapestry of French football, demanding not just high-rated players, but a deep understanding of chemistry, club links, and league dynamics. This is the story of my meticulous, sometimes frantic, journey to complete them all.
The Foundation: Understanding the Task
The core directive was clear yet daunting: construct and submit eleven distinct squads, each containing exactly 11 players from various French leagues. Every single submission had to achieve a minimum of 26 team chemistry. The developers threw in an extra twist: each challenge required at least one player from two specified, different clubs. This meant I couldn't just rely on a single powerhouse like Paris SG; I had to dive into the depths of Ligue 1, Ligue 2, and even the Arkema PL to find the perfect pieces for my puzzles. My transfer market searches were about to get very specific!
Challenge 1: The Arkema PL Prelude
The first challenge served as a gentle introduction. The requirement was to build a squad entirely from the Arkema PL (the French women's top division) with at least two players from the same club. I opted for a mix, bringing in Ribadeira and Bussy from Paris FC to satisfy the club link, and bolstering the defense with De Almedia and Dudek from Paris SG. Keeping the overall rating at 74+ was straightforward, and focusing on players from the same league naturally pushed my chemistry past the required 26. It was a successful, confidence-building start.
Challenge 2: Building from Ligue Foundations
Next, I had to blend players from Ligue 1 McDonald's and Ligue 2 BKT. The key here was maintaining strong league and nationality links to hit the chemistry target. I used Ligue 1 as my backbone, with stars like Zaire-Emery from Paris SG and Wahi from OM, then filled in gaps with Ligue 2 talent. Ensuring no more than two players from any single club kept me within the rules. It was a lesson in balance and linkage.
The 80+ Rating Gauntlet: Challenges 3-11
From Challenge 3 onward, the difficulty spiked. The minimum squad rating jumped to 80, and the specific club requirements became more varied. I had to be strategic, avoiding too many low-rated players. Here’s how I tackled some of the key hurdles:
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Challenge 3 (AJ Auxerre & Paris SG): I anchored my team with a strong Paris SG core, including Leuchter and Fazer, and slotted in Traore from AJ Auxerre to meet the requirement. The high rating forced me to use mostly 80+ rated cards.
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Challenge 4 (Havre AC & OL): This required a clever mix. I brought in Kuzyaev from Havre AC and Veretout from OL, then surrounded them with high-quality players from other French clubs to maintain the 80 rating and chemistry.
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Challenge 7 (Stade Rennais & Stade Brestois): Kalimuendo up front and Bizot in goal were my key men here. I learned that while you can sprinkle in players from other major leagues, maintaining a core of French and Dutch players was crucial for chemistry stability.
My Go-To Stars and Strategic Insights
Through these challenges, certain players became my reliable workhorses. Goncalo Ramos (Paris SG) was a staple in my attack for many challenges, while Nuno Mendes (Paris SG) and Jonathan Clauss (OGC Nice) frequently held down the full-back positions. Savanier (Montpellier) and André (LOSC Lille) were midfield rocks. The strategy was clear:
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Identify the two required club players first. (e.g., Minamino from AS Monaco for Challenge 11).
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Build strong league links around them using players from Ligue 1 to maximize chemistry.
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Use high-rated, commonly available players to meet the 80+ rating without overspending.
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Check nationality links to create strong green connections within the squad.
A quick reference for some club requirements:
| Challenge | Key Required Club 1 | Key Required Club 2 |
|---|---|---|
| 5 | Toulouse FC | Montpellier |
| 6 | FC Nantes | LOSC Lille |
| 8 | RC Lens | OGC Nice |
| 10 | AS Saint-Étienne | OM |
The Glorious Rewards: Was It Worth It?
After hours of trading, tweaking, and submitting, I finally completed the eleventh and final challenge. The sense of accomplishment was immediate. The rewards were showered upon me:
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Individual prizes for each completed SBC.
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A fantastic Tradeable Mega Pack as the group completion bonus.
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And the crown jewel: for completing the entire series, I received an exclusive World Tour special player card, an 84+ Two Rare Gold Players Pack (Untradeable), and a hefty 1,000 Skill Points.
The World Tour card alone was worth the grind, a unique asset for my Ultimate Team. The packs yielded some fantastic surprises, funding future endeavors. This journey through French football wasn't just about earning rewards; it was a masterclass in squad building that made me a better EA Sports FC manager. If you're looking for a rewarding test of your team-crafting skills in 2026, look no further than the World Tour France League Upgrade. Just be prepared for a lot of time on the transfer market! 😉
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