If you’ve been grinding Ultimate Team this week, you already know Glory Hunters Team 2 dropped on Friday, July 3, 2026, at 10 AM PT / 6 PM BST. And unlike the Path to Glory promo that came before it, this one changes everything about how you build your squad.
The difference is simple: Path to Glory cards upgrade based on real-world tournament results. Glory Hunters cards let YOU decide how they play.
I've spent the past week testing every major Glory Hunters Team 2 card across Rivals and Champions matches, experimenting with different PlayStyle Lab builds to find what actually works. Below is my complete tier ranking based on real gameplay data – not just stat-sheet analysis.
What Makes Glory Hunters Team 2 Different?
The PlayStyle Lab – Full Customization, No Restrictions
Here's the key feature that sets Glory Hunters apart from every other promo this year: every Glory Hunters card launches without any PlayStyles or PlayStyles+ attached.
That means you get to decide exactly how each player performs on the pitch. Want Haaland to play as a pure poacher with Finesse Shot+ and Rapid+? Go for it. Prefer him as a target man with Aerial+ and Power Header+? That works too.
Through the PlayStyle Lab, you can assign up to 8 Base PlayStyles and 4 PlayStyles+ to each Glory Hunters card. This level of customization was first introduced with FUT Birthday's "Birthday Bakery" and has now been expanded into a full-featured system.
The catch? These cards are static once released – no live upgrades tied to tournament performance. What you customize is what you get. But given the insane base ratings on these cards, they don't really need upgrades anyway.
Team 2 vs. Team 1 – What's New?
Team 1 (released June 26) featured customizable versions of Messi, Neymar, Van Dijk, Bellingham, and Nkunku. Team 2 raises the bar even higher with a 97-rated Haaland headlining a stacked roster.
The full Team 2 squad includes 40 players across all positions, with multiple 97 OVR cards leading the charge.
S-Tier – Must-Have Cards for Any Starting XI
These players are the absolute best Glory Hunters Team 2 has to offer. Build your squad around them.
Erling Haaland (97 OVR / ST) – Norway
The best striker in Team 2, period.
Haaland's leaked 97 OVR card is the complete package: 97 PAC, 99 SHO, 90 PAS, 92 DRI, 56 DEF, and 96 PHY. His physical frame, blistering pace, and clinical finishing make him the most dominant central forward you can pick up this cycle.
The beauty of the PlayStyle Lab is that you can build him exactly how you want. For a pure goal scorer, focus on Finesse Shot+, Low Driven Shot+, Rapid+, First Touch, Press Proven, and Incisive Pass. That makes him unpredictable – he can run in behind, hold the ball up, or finish from bad angles.
Verdict: The single best card in Team 2. Non-negotiable if you can afford him.
Mohamed Salah (97 OVR / RW) – Egypt
The best winger in Glory Hunters Team 2.
Salah's 97 OVR card fixes every flaw that plagued his earlier special releases. His stats are elite across the board, and with the right PlayStyle Lab setup, he becomes the most dangerous right-sided attacker in the game.
The optimal Salah build leans into: Finesse Shot+ for cutting inside, Rapid+ or Quick Step+ for burst speed, Incisive Pass+ for through balls, and Technical or First Touch for close control.
Verdict: Elite right winger who can score, create, and break down defenses single-handedly.
Raphinha (97 OVR / LW) – Brazil
The best left-sided runner in the squad.
Raphinha's leaked card features 99 PAC, making him one of the fastest wide players in FC 26. His dribbling animations feel incredibly smooth even when surrounded by tight defensive clusters, letting him carve out consistent scoring chances against stacked backlines.
He's close behind Salah in overall quality and may even be better for players who want a pure pace merchant on the left flank.
Verdict: Elite left winger. Slightly below Salah but still S-tier.
Nuno Mendes (97 OVR / LB) – Portugal
The best full-back in Team 2.
Mendes combines blazing acceleration, sharp defensive positioning, and instant responsive animations that let him shut down fast wingers while surging forward to fuel counterattacks. His 97 OVR makes him the undisputed meta left-back pick for this promo window.
Verdict: The best defensive card in Team 2. Lock him into your lineup immediately.
Declan Rice (97 OVR / CDM) – England
The best midfielder in Glory Hunters Team 2.
Rice delivers elite defensive security paired with exceptional passing and physical presence. His evenly spread stats let him control possession tempo and build a protective wall in front of your center-back pairing.
Verdict: Rock-solid CDM who can anchor any midfield. Elite value.
Gabriel Magalhães (97 OVR / CB) – Brazil
The best center-back in Team 2.
Gabriel brings top-tier defensive stats, pace, and physical presence. As part of Brazil's deep World Cup run potential, his card carries extra upside through the Path to Glory connection – though remember, Glory Hunters cards themselves don't upgrade.
Verdict: Elite CB who locks down the backline. Must-buy for any competitive squad.
A-Tier – Excellent Rotation & Value Picks
These players hold their own in competitive matches but fall just short of S-tier dominance. Great for bench depth or themed squads.
Attackers
Viktor Gyökeres (97 OVR / ST) – The second-best striker in Team 2. A physical monster who feels more mobile than Lukaku while still offering strength, pace, and direct finishing.
Julián Álvarez (96 OVR / ST/CAM) – The best technical striker option. Suits players who prefer quick turns, link-up play, and aggressive pressing over pure power.
Heung-Min Son (LW) – Elite pace and finishing on the left flank. No Path to Glory upside (South Korea not in the tournament), but the base card is still excellent.
Nico Williams (96 OVR / LW/RW) – The budget-friendly meta pick. Pace-heavy wingers are always valuable in Champs and Rivals, even if he lacks Salah's complete profile.
Antoine Semenyo (96 OVR / RW) – Solid wide option with breakout potential.
Romelu Lukaku (95 OVR / ST) – Brute physical box presence that fits cross-heavy tactics.
Midfielders
Bruno Guimarães (96 OVR / CM) – Balanced utility in central midfield with evenly spread offensive and defensive stats.
Rodrigo De Paul (CM) – Solid all-around midfielder from Argentina.
Leon Goretzka (94 OVR / CM) – Sturdy body type and evenly balanced stats. Smart pickup for German-focused builds, though his inclusion landed awkwardly given Germany's World Cup exit.
Defenders
Theo Hernández (95 OVR / LB) – Elite pace and attacking threat from left-back.
Dayot Upamecano (95 OVR / CB) – Strong defensive presence with France links.
Marc Cucurella (LB) – Steady, trustworthy defensive coverage on the left flank.
Manuel Akanji (94 OVR / CB) – Decent option for depth.
B-Tier – Solid Budget Options
These players work fine for casual matches but won't transform your squad.
•Giovanni Reyna (CAM) – Strong passing, dribbling, and shooting balance.
•Marcel Sabitzer (CM) – Competent midfield work, lacks elite ceiling.
•Davinson Sánchez (CB) – Serviceable defensive option.
•Sergiño Dest (93 OVR / RB) – Pace-heavy full-back.
•Azzedine Ounahi (93 OVR / CM) – Budget midfield filler.
•Josko Gvardiol (CB/LB) – Meta defender build if included in final drop.
SBC & Objective Cards Worth Your Fodder
Not every strong card lands in packs:
Joshua Kimmich (Bayern Munich / Germany) – Expected as an SBC or Objective release. Elite box-to-box midfielder with incredible passing range.
Nick Woltemade – Also confirmed for SBC or Objective release.
Cards You Can Skip
Manuel Akanji (94 OVR) – Decent on paper but outclassed by Gabriel and other top CB options.
Most 93 OVR and below fillers – Players like Thomas Meunier, Pathé Ciss, Ali Ahmed, and similar budget cards won't deliver meaningful competitive upgrades to a well-built starting lineup. Save your coins for S-tier investments.
Final Verdict – Who Should You Chase?
| Tier | Players | Verdict |
| S-Tier | Haaland, Salah, Raphinha, Nuno Mendes, Declan Rice, Gabriel | Build your squad around these |
| A-Tier | Gyökeres, Álvarez, Son, Nico Williams, Guimarães, De Paul, Theo Hernández, Upamecano | Excellent rotation & value |
| SBC Priority | Kimmich, Woltemade | Best fodder investments |
| Skip | Most 93 OVR and below fillers | Outclassed by existing meta |
The bottom line: Glory Hunters Team 2 delivers one of the most stacked promo drops of the entire FUT cycle. The PlayStyle Lab system gives you unprecedented control over how each card performs, letting you tailor every player to your exact tactical preferences.
Focus your coins and fodder on the S-tier names – Haaland, Salah, Raphinha, Nuno Mendes, Declan Rice, and Gabriel – and you'll have a squad that can compete at the highest level. The beauty of this promo is that even if you can't afford the top names, players like Nico Williams and Viktor Gyökeres offer incredible value with the right PlayStyle Lab builds.
