FIFA 22
How to complete FIFA 22 Ultimate Team Base ICON Upgrade: SBC requirements & is it worth it?
A Base ICON Upgrade SBC has dropped in FIFA 22 Ultimate Team, here’s the SBC requirements and whether or not it’s worth completing.
EA has dropped a Base ICON Upgrade SBC in FIFA 22 Ultimate Team for fans to get stuck into. Here’s everything you need to know about how to complete it, and whether or not it is worth the grind.
The first ICON SBC of the year has landed in FIFA 22 Ultimate Team, as EA have dropped a Base ICON Upgrade for fans to complete.
ICONS are some of the game’s highest-rated players and are perfect for helping your team achieve full chemistry or securing bragging rights over your friends.
Fans will no doubt be tripping over themselves to bag themselves their first footballing legend of the year, so here’s how to complete the FIFA 22 Base ICON Upgrade, and our thoughts on whether or not players should go for it.
What are FIFA 22 Base ICONS?
Base ICONS are the first and lowest-rated version of every legend in FIFA 22, they usually represent the player when they were just breaking through or in the swansong of their career.
They still come with all the same chemistry benefits, where they link to everyone regardless of league or nation, but their stats are more modest than the Mid or Prime versions.
That’s not to say they are unusable. Since they occasionally depict a player when they were younger, their pace stats can sometimes but just as good as their high-rated counterparts.
How to complete FIFA 22 Base ICON Upgrade
There are a total of four SBCs to complete to earn your shiny Base ICON, requiring two Team of the Week players altogether.
According to FUTBIN, the whole SBC is clocking in at between 459,000 to 512,000 coins depending on which platform you play on.
Each individual challenge also rewards players with a free pack, so keep your fingers crossed for some good SBC fodder in any of those.
Check out the full list of requirements below.
- 87-Rated Squad (Prime Mixed Players Pack)
- Squad Rating: Min 87.
- Team Chemistry: Min. 40
- Players in Squad: 11
- 86-Rated Squad (Small Prime Gold Players Pack)
- Team of the Week Players: Min. 1
- Squad Rating Min. 86
- Team Chemistry: Min. 45
- Players in Squad: 11
- 86-Rated Squad (Premium Mixed Players Pack)
- Squad Rating: Min. 86
- Team Chemistry: Min 50
- Players in Squad: 11
- 85-Rated Squad (Small Prime Electrum Players Pack)
- Team of the Week Players: Min. 1
- Squad Rating: Min. 85
- Team Chemistry: Min. 55
- Players in Squad: 11
Is the Base ICON Upgrade worth it?
If we’re being completely honest, the answer to whether or not you should complete the Base ICON Upgrade depends on how your club is looking at this early point of the year.
The market has been notoriously dead this year, but as we mentioned earlier if you have to buy every player for each SBC you’re looking at a nearly 500,000 coin dent in your savings.
There are more than 100 ICONS in the game this year, but at the time of writing, only 36 Base versions are selling for more than that, and these are some of the biggest names like Pele and Eusebio.
With this in mind, if your club is relatively empty but you’re sitting on a 500,000 to 600,000 coin haul, save your coins or splash out on the ICON you really want – rather than leaving it to chance and getting Inzaghi.
On the other hand, if you’ve been spamming those 78+ Player Picks and have a club full of high-rated players that don’t challenge your starting squad, then this SBC is more than worth the risk.
Ultimately, we wouldn’t recommend completing the Base ICON Upgrade unless you would only have to spend around 100,000 coins in total.
That was everything you need to know about the first Base ICON Upgrade of FIFA 22. There’s sure to be more SBCs like this throughout the year, so stay tuned on Charlie INTEL for more guides.
For more on FIFA 22, check out how to complete the Reece Oxford League Player Objective, as well as the latest La Liga Player of the Month.
Image credits: EA
FIFA 22
FIFA 23 Ultimate Team: New features & expected changes
Here’s a breakdown of all the new features and changes players can expect in FIFA 23’s popular Ultimate Team mode.
FIFA 23 is fast approaching and with the Ultimate Team mode set to attract football fans around the world once more, here’s a look at the new features that could make their way to FUT.
Ultimate Team will likely continue to be the main attraction of the FIFA franchise as players look forward to the release of FIFA 23. Expectations for FIFA 23 are high as the final game before the long-standing partnership between EA and FIFA comes to a close.
The Ultimate Team mode will once again deliver a ton of content for players to discover including Icons and FUT Heroes. However, early indications suggest that there’s plenty of innovation on the way that is set to shake up the Ultimate Team game mode.
Here’s what you need to know about the new Ultimate Team features in FIFA 23.
- FIFA 23 Ultimate Team expected chemistry changes
- FIFA 23 Ultimate Team leaked position overhaul
- World Cup Ultimate Team content in FIFA 23
FIFA 23 Ultimate Team expected chemistry changes
Building the ideal Ultimate Team squad has always revolved around linking players through the mode’s chemistry system. For years, players who share the same Nationality, Club, and or League always produced the best chemistry results.
This added chemistry would give players a performance boost in-game. According to FIFA leakers, the chemistry system will no longer rely on Club, Nationality, or League to determine the strength of links.
EA has yet to confirm the existence of this new system, but it’s safe to say that Ultimate Team players would have more opportunities than ever to build their dream squad.
If every Nation and League can create chemistry links, more player combinations will be accessible in Ultimate Team when squad building. For example, this system would allow Liverpool’s Salah to support Mbappe as a winger without being penalized for lack of chemistry.
FIFA 23 Ultimate Team leaked position overhaul
If the reported changes to chemistry weren’t enough to get you excited, additional leaks claim that EA are also preparing to overhaul how positioning works in Ultimate Team.
In FIFA 22, players could change position by following a linear path. For example, RWs could swap to RMs to better suit your desired formation. However, players have long been asking for a change to positioning that would rely on an authentic system.
According to FutSheriff, position changes in FIFA 23 will be based on real-life player positions. If a player has experience playing in multiple positions, a position modifier card will allow them to show their versatility.
Two great examples of this new feature happen to be Manchester City defenders Joao Cancelo and Kyle Walker. Cancelo’s secondary position would be at RB while Walker’s would be at CB. Previously, switching a LB to RB and a RB to CB were two position changes that were impossible to execute in Ultimate Team.
World Cup Ultimate Team content in FIFA 23
While there could be a World Cup mode in FIFA 23 that is entirely separate from Ultimate Team, EA usually also deliver World Cup content to FUT. In 2018, a special World Cup Ultimate Team add-on made its way to the game where players could build new squads from scratch using World Cup cards.
- Read more: FIFA 22 Summer Swaps Tokens explained
We’ll have to wait and see what EA have planned for the Qatar World Cup in 2022, but given that this tournament will take place in the winter, players won’t have to wait long after release to check out this new content.
For more FIFA 23 news, check out all of the new leagues, teams, & stadiums coming to FIFA 23.
Image Credit: EA Sports
FIFA 22
FIFA 22 Ultimate Team best strikers: Cheap and meta players
Picking the right striker is vital to your squad’s success. So here are the best, meta, and cheapest strikers in FIFA 22 Ultimate Team.
Strikers are a vital part of any Ultimate Team, and FIFA 22 is no different. Here are the best FIFA 22 Ultimate Team strikers you can buy, as well as some cheap and meta options.
We’re nearing the endgame of the FIFA 22 Ultimate Team season, but the endless search for the perfect squad is far from over.
Finding the ideal striker is arguably the most important part of any team, and there’s plenty to choose from this year. After fans got to grips with the launch players, EA has also added dozens of special cards into the mix to shake up the meta.
Here are the best strikers you should buy in FIFA 22 Ultimate Team, whether you’re looking for one of the top-rated, someone who fits the meta, or a more budget option.
Contents
Best strikers in FIFA 22 Ultimate Team
There are plenty of top-rated strikers to pick from in FIFA 22. The most important thing is finding the goalscorer who fits your style of play.
Whether you’re looking for someone small and pacey to make those runs in behind, or a target man to whip early crosses into, there’s a big name to suit.
One of the safest options is turning to one of the best-rated poachers, as they already have the stats to make them a menace in front of goal.
These are the non-Icon strikers in FIFA 22 that EA has awarded the best ratings.
Ranking | Player Name | Club | Rating | Average Price |
#1 | Lionel Messi (SS) | PSG | 99 | 7.9 million |
#2 | Karim Benzema (TOTS) | Real Madrid | 98 | 3 million |
#3 | Robert Lewandowski (TOTY) | Bayern Munich | 98 | 310,000 |
#4 | Kylian Mbappe (TOTS) | PSG | 97 | 5 million |
#5 | Cristiano Ronaldo (TOTS) | Manchester United | 97 | 4.7 million |
#6 | Marcelo (SS) | Real Madrid | 97 | 3.98 million |
#7 | Heung Min Son (SS) | Spurs | 97 | 3.12 million |
#8 | Christopher Nkunku (TOTS) | RB Leipzig | 96 | 1.3 million |
#9 | Luis Suarez (TOTS) | Atletico Madrid | 96 | 1.2 million |
#10 | Ciro Immobile (TOTS) | Lazio | 96 | 285,000 |
Best meta strikers in FIFA 22 Ultimate Team
Aside from the top 10 rated strikers, there are certain players that just seem to fit the game’s meta perfectly. Especially when you throw special cards into the mix, there are some overpowered cards that will completely change your FUT fortunes.
These may not always be the highest-rated players, but they’re certainly the most effective. You’ll often see these cards turn up in the Weekend League throughout the season, as high-skill players make the most of their insane stats.
- Read more: FIFA 22 Summer Swaps Tokens explained
In order to highlight as many strikers as possible, players included in the list above will not show up below. Although, you could assume that the likes of Mbappe and Ronaldo are two of the best striker options in the game at the moment.
Player Name | Club | Rating | Average Price | |
Ousmane Dembele (Fantasy) | Barcelona | 95 | 3 million | |
Allan Saint-Maximin (Fantasy) | Newcastle | 94 | 2.8 million | |
Antonio Di Natale (Captain) | N/A | 93 | 1.8 million | |
Sergio Ramos (SS) | PSG | 96 | 1.69 million | |
Paulo Dybala (TOTS) | Juventus | 96 | 1.54 million | |
Neymar Jr (Winter Wildcard) | PSG | 93 | 1.1 million | |
Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Winter Wildcard) | A.C. Milan | 91 | 970,000 | |
Wissam Ben Yedder | Monaco | 96 | 682,000 | |
Robbie Keane (Captain) | N/A | 92 | 358,000 | |
Roberto Firmino (Birthday) | Liverpool | 92 | 270,000 | |
Darwin Nunez (TOTS) | Benfica | 94 | 249,000 |
Best cheap strikers in FIFA 22 Ultimate Team
While the players listed above will likely set you back a fair amount of coins, there are always some slightly lower-rated poachers that can help teams get off to a great start if you’re just starting your FUT journey.
Players with a low overall rating but with a handful of good stats, particularly pace, tend to be used a lot around this time, and can still be effective against any defense.
The market has been notoriously slow in FIFA 22 compared to previous years, so there are plenty of great cards that are selling for a fraction of what they would normally be worth.
These are the cheap strikers we recommend you use while you’re building up the coins to start splashing out. It’s worth noting that the market is ever-changing and varies across different platforms.
Player Name | Club | Rating | Average Price |
Wissam Ben Yedder | Monaco | 84 | 9,900 |
Dries Mertens | Napoli | 84 | 3,700 |
Joao Felix | Atletico Madrid | 83 | 1,900 |
Angel Correa | Atletico Madrid | 83 | 3,200 |
Gabriel Jesus | Manchester City | 83 | 2,000 |
Luis Muriel | Atalanta | 82 | 1,200 |
Richarlison | Everton | 82 | 1,700 |
Joaquin Correa | Inter Milan | 81 | 1,100 |
Anthony Martial | Sevilla | 81 | 2,000 |
Dominic Calvert Lewin | Everton | 81 | 1,300 |
Inkai Williams | Atletico Bilbao | 81 | 1,400 |
Victor Osimhen | Napoli | 80 | 1,200 |
Donyell Malen | Borussia Dortmund | 80 | 700 |
For more on FIFA 22 Ultimate Team, check out our list of the best goalkeepers, defenders, full-backs, midfielders, and wingers.
Image Credits: EA
FIFA 22
FIFA 22 Shapeshifters: Release date, promo explained, Team 3 leaks
The Shapeshifters promo followed TOTS as the next Ultimate Team promo in FIFA 22. Here’s a look at the Team 1 and Team 2 squads.
The Shapeshifters promo last seen in FIFA 20 has made its way to FIFA 22’s Ultimate Team mode following the Team of the Season.
Team of the Season is certainly one of the most popular promos of the year, but it surely isn’t the final promo for FIFA 22 players to enjoy. Luckily, there are still a few Ultimate Team promos to look forward to and Shapeshifters is one of them.
The Shapeshifters promo was a fan-favorite promo in FIFA 20, and after not featuring in FIFA 21, it has made a return to Ultimate Team in FIFA 22.
Here’s everything you need to know about the Shapeshifters promo including the release date, Team 1 players, Team 2 players, and Team 3 leaks.
- FIFA 22 Shapeshifters release date
- Ultimate Team Shapeshifters explained
- FIFA 22 Shapeshifters Team 1
- FIFA 22 Shapeshifters Team 2
- FIFA 22 Shapeshifters Team 3 leaks
FIFA 22 Shapeshifters release date
Following confirmation from EA, Team 1 of the Shapeshifters promo arrived on Friday, June 17 after the conclusion of TOTS. Team 2 hit Ultimate Team one week later on Friday, June 24.
Lastly, a rumored Team 3 could make its way to FIFA 22 on July 1, but this has yet to be confirmed.
With exciting new content to enjoy, you’ll want to log into FIFA when the new cards make their way to Ultimate Team at 10 AM PT / 1 PM ET / 6 PM UK.
Ultimate Team Shapeshifters explained
The Shapeshifters promo is a fan favorite due to its unique tendency to have top players in unconventional positions. This promo takes players out of their standard position and allows you to build a squad with more options at your disposal.
For example, in FIFA 20, Trent Alexander-Arnold went from playing RB to CM. This drastic change opens the door to new squad-building possibilities.
Some of the Shapeshifters cards boast skill moves and weak foot upgrades. These special cards received rating boosts, SM/WF upgrades, and position changes, which makes Shapeshifters a top-tier promo.
Throughout the Shapeshifters promo, players will be able to earn Summer Swaps Tokens that they can later exchange for valuable rewards. Summer Swaps Tokens rewards include Shapeshifters Kimpembe and several Shapeshifters player picks.
FIFA 22 Shapeshifters Team 1
TOTS was always going to be a difficult act to follow, but EA have certainly delivered an incredible promo with some stellar players on offer. Lionel Messi, Heung Min Son, and Youcef Atal will be highly sought-after players.
- Alphonso Davies – LB → ST
- Lionel Messi – RW → CF
- Youcef Atal – RB → CM
- Heung Min Son – LM → ST
- Eden Hazard – LW → CAM
- Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang – ST → LW
- Leonardo Spinazzola – LWB → CDM
- Pierre Kalulu – RB → CB
- Jeremiah St. Juste – CB → RW
- Héctor Bellerín – RB → LB
- Nordi Mukiele – RWB → CB
- Jack Grealish – LW → CAM
- Andrew Robertson – LB → CDM
- Everton – LM → ST
Anderson and Carrasco are both available via SBC, while Thuram is expected to join them as an SBC reward throughout the promo.
Meanwhile, Wolfsburg’s Gerhardt and Arsenal’s Pepe are available via Objective.
- Yannick Carrasco – LM → CAM or LM → RW (SBC)
- Felipe Anderson – LM → RW (SBC)
- Marcus Thuram – LM → ST (SBC)
- Samuel Grandsir – LM → ST (OBJ)
- Yannick Gerhardt – CM → LWB (OBJ)
- Nicolas Pepe – RM → ST (OBJ)
FIFA 22 Shapeshifters Team 2
One look at the Shapeshifters Team 2 players and there is plenty of reason to be excited with the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and Marcelo included. It seems Ferland Mendy eludes Ultimate Team fans once again, but there’s always the next FIFA 22 promo to look forward to.
Take a look at the players involved in Shapeshifters Team 2:
- Cristiano Ronaldo – ST → LW
- Marcelo – LB → ST
- Sergio Ramos – CB → ST
- Timo Werner – ST → RF
- Adama Traore – RW → CF
- Stephan El Shaarawy – LW → CAM
- Silas – RM → CF
- Jesus Corona – RM → CM
- Kieran Tierney – LB → CB
- Emre Can – CM → CB
- Roberto Pereyra – CM → LWB
- Thiago Mendes – CDM → RB
- Marko Arnautovic – ST → CB
- Daley Blind – CB → CDM
- Raphael Guerreiro – LB → CM or RB (SBC)
- Emerson – RB → CM (OBJ)
- Thomas Delaney – CDM → CB (OBJ)
- Hirving Lozano – RW → ST (SBC)
Shapeshifters Team 2 is looking equally as strong as Team 1. Ultimate Team fans should be excited to receive a promo that includes Ronaldo and Messi so soon after TOTS. Marcelo and Ronaldo are the two most sought-after cards, but Ramos isn’t too far behind.
FIFA 22 Shapeshifters Team 3 leaks
According to FIFA leaker FutSheriff, Ultimate Team players will receive a Shapeshifters Team 3 and possibly even a Team 4. This is certainly not what FIFA players have come to expect from EA as Ultimate Team promos usually receive a maximum of two teams.
With a ton of Shapeshifters cards expected to make their way to the game, you’ll have ample opportunity to improve your squad with top-tier players. We’ll keep you posted as FutSheriff is expected to leak the players who could be a part of Shapeshifters Team 3 prior to release.
For more FIFA news, check out our guide to FIFA 23 including everything you need to know about the upcoming game.
Image Credit: EA Sports