Nostalgia and Ultimate Team don't often mix, especially in a game as competitive as EA FC 26. With Team of the Season cards, overpowered Evolutions, and constantly updated content dominating the meta, older squads are usually left behind. But one player decided to put that theory to the test by rebuilding his FIFA 22 Ultimate Team inside EA FC 26 and taking it into FUT Champions.

The goal was simple: go from a 12-0 record to a perfect 15-0 finish using a squad inspired by one of his favorite FIFA teams of all time.

Rebuilding the FIFA 22 Squad

The challenge started by revisiting an old FIFA 22 squad builder and recreating the team as accurately as possible in EA FC 26. Some players still had usable cards in the current game, while others had retired or were no longer available.

The goal was Edwin van der Sar, who was one of the most dominant goalkeepers during FIFA 22. While his card is no longer among the elite options in FC 26, he remained the first player added to the squad.

The defense featured Kyle Walker and Nuno Mendes at full-back positions. Walker's pace and versatility made him a fan favorite years ago, while Mendes has since established himself as one of the best young full-backs in world football.

At center-back, things became more complicated. Raphaël Varane, one of the original team's stars, was unavailable, forcing a change of plans. Marquinhos stepped in to anchor the defense, while another replacement would eventually be needed to complete the back line.

Despite the missing pieces, the team was already beginning to resemble a modern Ultimate Team rather than a squad from several years ago. Having plenty of FC 26 Coins can also be of great help to you.

Midfield Packed With Legends

The midfield was where the FIFA 22 nostalgia truly kicked in.

Cristiano Ronaldo and Lothar Matthäus formed the core of the squad. Matthäus had been one of the most complete midfielders available during FIFA 22, and his EA FC 26 version remained an excellent option.

Ronaldo's inclusion was inevitable.

The Portuguese superstar had been the hero of a previous FIFA nostalgia challenge, and despite being several years removed from his peak Ultimate Team dominance, he was once again expected to carry the team when it mattered most.

Kevin De Bruyne was eventually added as a replacement for Jorginho, whose special FIFA 22 card could not be replicated accurately in EA FC 26. The Belgian midfielder brought creativity, passing quality, and leadership to the side.

Together, the midfield combined icons, legends, and modern stars into a surprisingly balanced unit.

A World-Class Attack

The attack was where the recreated squad truly became frightening.

Kylian Mbappé joined the team after being one of the standout players during FIFA 22. Even years later, he remains one of the most dangerous attackers in Ultimate Team.

The legendary Pelé also earned a place in the lineup. The Brazilian icon provided elite dribbling, finishing, and creativity, giving the team another game-changing presence in the final third.

To complete the attack, Lionel Messi was added after reviewing alternative FIFA 22 squads used during the season. The Argentine superstar fit perfectly into the challenge and provided another elite-level option capable of deciding matches on his own.

Suddenly, the squad featured Ronaldo, Mbappé, Messi, Pelé, Matthäus, and De Bruyne.

For a team inspired by FIFA 22, it looked remarkably capable of competing in EA FC 26.

The Road to Rank One

With the squad complete and chemistry fully optimized, it was time to test whether the old-school lineup could still perform at the highest level.

The account entered FUT Champions with a 12-0 record, meaning three victories were needed to secure Rank One rewards.

The first match immediately demonstrated how dangerous the squad could be.

Things looked disastrous early on as the team quickly fell 3-0 behind. Defensive mistakes, poor passes, and questionable decisions threatened to derail the entire challenge.

However, the star power of the FIFA 22 squad soon took over.

Ronaldo pulled one goal back before Messi and Pelé combined to launch a remarkable comeback. What seemed like a certain defeat turned into an impressive victory as the attack overwhelmed the opposition.

The squad survived its first major test and improved to 13-0.

Momentum Builds

The second match proved far more comfortable.

Mbappé opened the scoring before Ronaldo and Pelé added further goals. The team played with confidence, creating chances at will and showing why these players had been so dominant during FIFA 22.

Although the opponent managed to score, the result was never truly in doubt.

A convincing victory moved the squad to 14-0 and left just one match standing between the team and a perfect FUT Champions run.

One Final Test

The last game would decide everything.

A win would secure Rank One rewards and prove that a FIFA 22-inspired squad could still compete against the best players in EA FC 26.

The match began with Messi producing a moment of brilliance to open the scoring. However, the opponent responded immediately, creating a tense and dramatic contest.

Mbappé and Ronaldo repeatedly stepped up when the team needed them most. Every time momentum threatened to swing away, one of the legendary attackers delivered a crucial goal.

As the game progressed, the quality of the recreated squad became impossible to ignore.

Messi created chances, Ronaldo finished them, and Mbappé stretched the defense with his explosive pace.

When the final whistle arrived, the challenge was complete.

The FIFA 22 squad had achieved a perfect 15-0 FUT Champions record in EA FC 26.

Rewards Fail to Match the Achievement

Unfortunately, the Rank One rewards did not provide the fairytale ending many fans hoped for.

Despite opening multiple Team of the Season player picks and packs, the rewards were largely disappointing. Luka Modrić was among the better pulls, but the overall return fell far short of expectations.

Still, the rewards were almost irrelevant.

The real story was the squad itself.

Years after dominating FIFA 22, a team built around legends such as Ronaldo, Messi, Pelé, Matthäus, and De Bruyne had returned to FUT Champions and proven it could still compete with the very best teams in EA FC 26.

For one weekend, FIFA 22 was alive again.