Nofil KhanThe road to the 2026 FIFA World Cup is officially kicking off in Ultimate Team. Teased all the way back at the start of the year in the EA SPORTS FC 26 Pitch Notes, the Festival of Football (FoF) is making its return.
While EA has not officially confirmed the exact details of the upcoming promo, speculation and in-game loading screens have given us a massive hint at what to expect. Here is everything we know—and suspect—about the highly anticipated FoF: Answer the Call promo.
What is FoF: Answer the Call?
Historically, the "Festival of Football" umbrella is reserved for major international tournaments like the World Cup or the Euros. With the 2026 FIFA World Cup approaching this summer, "Answer the Call" appears to be the first major promo dedicated to building hype for the tournament.
The theme of the promo is completely centered around national team selections, celebrating players who are fighting to secure their spot on the plane for the World Cup.
How the Rumored "Live" Upgrades Work
The biggest rumor surrounding "Answer the Call" is that it will be a Live Promo directly tied to real-world international call-ups.
Instead of waiting for match results like standard RTTF or Showdown cards, these players will reportedly receive an upgrade based simply on whether or not they are officially selected by their national team for the World Cup roster.
If a player "answers the call" and makes their country's final squad, they are heavily rumored to receive:
- +1 OVR Upgrade
- +1 PlayStyle+ (Upgrading them to have a custom 3rd PlayStyle+)
When Will Upgrades Happen?
Because real-world national teams typically announce their final World Cup squads in the weeks leading up to the tournament, players can likely expect these upgrades to go live sometime in May. This means investing in these cards will be a long-term play, rewarding you right before the summer content cycle begins.
Loading Screen Teasers: Who is Coming?
While we don't have a confirmed squad list yet, the current Ultimate Team menu splash screen has teased three distinct player silhouettes with specific nations, leagues, and PlayStyles. Based on the clues, here is who we expect to headline the promo:
- Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid): Teased as an English CAM from LaLiga featuring the Technical+ PlayStyle.
- Julián Álvarez (Atlético Madrid): Teased as an Argentine attacker from Atlético Madrid featuring the Low Driven+ PlayStyle.
- Ryan Gravenberch (Liverpool): Teased as a Dutch CDM from the Premier League featuring the Bruiser+ PlayStyle.
If the rumored upgrade mechanic is true, all three of these players are near-guarantees to make their respective World Cup squads, meaning their base promo cards are essentially waiting on a guaranteed +1 OVR and a 3rd PlayStyle+.
Release Date
The FoF: Answer the Call promo is expected to launch in Ultimate Team on Friday, March 20th at 6:00 PM GMT.
With the potential for guaranteed upgrades and 3rd PlayStyle+ additions, "Answer the Call" is shaping up to be one of the most exciting, forward-looking promos in FC 26. Since these cards are live items tied to real-world call-ups, keeping an eye on international manager decisions will be crucial.
Once the promo goes live, head straight to the FUT.GG Players page to see the full squad, check their base stats, and see which players have the best chance of securing that massive World Cup upgrade!