A Sports FC 27 introduces a new group of ICONs to Ultimate Team, giving players more legendary options to consider when building their squads. But the most interesting question is not simply which names have received ICON status—it is which cards could actually make a difference in FUT.
Among the newly highlighted players, Sergio Agüero, Raphaël Varane, Pepe and Karl-Heinz Rummenigge stand out for very different reasons. Agüero brings elite attacking instincts, Varane offers a combination of pace and defensive strength, while Rummenigge remains an appealing option for players who want a fast and versatile striker.
This guide looks beyond the ICON list itself. We compare the most notable players by position, attributes, expected gameplay role and squad-building value, while also examining why some of EA FC 27’s new ICON selections have generated debate among the community.
EA FC 27 has revealed 18 Icons, including both returning Icons and brand-new additions. Players who pre-order FC 27’s Ultimate Edition or Ultimate Plus Edition by August 31 can receive one of these players for free.
Most of the revealed Icons look competitive, so some players may have a hard time deciding which one to choose. Players who are building their first FUT squad can also check our EA FC 27 early-game squad guide for lower-cost options. Below, we analyze the players by rating, position, PlayStyles, and potential FUT role.
Best EA FC 27 Icons by FUT Role
Then use something like:
| FUT role | Recommended Icon | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Best attacking striker | Sergio Agüero | 90 PAC, 89 SHO, 88 DRI and Finesse Shot+ |
| Best all-round striker | Rummenigge | 91 PAC, 91 DRI and 89 SHO |
| Best centre-back | Raphaël Varane | Strong defensive attributes combined with pace and physicality |
| Best aggressive defender | Pepe | 87 DEF, 89 PHY and defensive PlayStyles |
| Best attacking midfielder | Yūki Nagasato | 85 PAS and Incisive Pass+ |
| Best creative winger | Tobin Heath | 91 DRI and Technical |
| Best defensive midfielder | Formiga | Defensive/physical profile suited to ball recovery |
4-2-3-1
- ST: Agüero or Rummenigge
- CAM: Nagasato
- CDM: Formiga
4-4-2
- ST: Agüero + Rummenigge
- Wide role: Tobin Heath
4-3-3
- ST: Agüero
- RW: Tobin Heath
- CM: Hege Riise
EA FC 27 Icons: How to Choose the Right Card
The 18 Icons revealed for EA FC 27 are divided into Class of ’27 ICONs and Returning ICONs. Class of ’27 ICONs are newly added Icons, while the Returning ICONs are players returning to FIFA Series.
The official reveal only includes data and PlayStyles for some of them. The player received through the pre-order reward will be an 85 OVR or 86 OVR Base Icon, but these players can receive upgrades later. The ratings discussed below refer to their upgraded versions. As shown in our EA FC 27 Premier League starter team guide.
Instead of judging every Icon by overall rating alone, FUT players should consider position, PlayStyles, pace, defensive ability, physical strength and how each card fits a particular formation. A 90 OVR striker may be more useful for one squad than a higher-rated midfielder if the team needs pace and finishing.
89 OVR Yūki Nagasato CAM
Yūki Nagasato is a Japanese player who retired in 2025. She is the second-highest scorer in Japan women’s national team history and is making her first appearance in EA FC series.
As an attacking midfielder, she has 85 Passing and Incisive Pass+, allowing her to consistently create attacking opportunities for her teammates. She also has Chip Shot and Low Driven Shot PlayStyles, giving her an additional threat once she enters the box.
89 OVR Pepe CB
Pepe retired in 2024 and returns to FUT series as an Icon in FC 27 coins. He was a long-time starting centre-back for Portugal and Real Madrid.
For FUT players, Pepe makes the most sense in a defensive setup that prioritizes physical challenges and aggressive ball recovery. Bruiser+, Jockey and Block give him a useful defensive PlayStyle combination, while 89 PHY makes him better suited to direct defensive battles. His main appeal is therefore defensive reliability rather than attacking distribution.
89 OVR Ellen White ST
Ellen White is one of England’s best strikers, making 113 appearances and scoring 52 goals for the national team. She previously appeared in FIFA 22.
This card has strong pace (PAC 89) and dribbling (DRI 86), giving her excellent straight-line acceleration during counterattacks. Combined with Rapid+, she can become even more difficult to catch.
90 OVR Tobin Heath RW
Tobin Heath is an American player who played for Paris Saint-Germain in France, Manchester United and Arsenal in England, and announced her retirement in July 2025. Players who attack through wide areas and use dribbling to create one-on-one situations.
Tobin Heath is best known for her dribbling and skill moves, which are also reflected in her stats. Her 91 Dribbling combined with Technical makes it much easier for her to get past opponents.
The official version gives her Quick Step+, although her Pace is only 87. This may have been intended to prevent the card from becoming overly powerful, but 87 Pace should still be enough to leave most full-backs behind.
90 OVR Raphaël Varane CB
Raphaël Varane spent 10 seasons at Real Madrid before moving to Manchester United and Como, and he announced his retirement in 2024. Players using a high defensive line who need pace, size and strong defensive attributes.
Like Pepe, Varane has excellent defensive stats and PlayStyles, making the two of them potential top-tier defenders. However, the main controversy surrounding Varane is that many players believe he should have been introduced as an Icon rather than a Hero. Our guide to the EA FC 27 gameplay changes explains some of the changes players should understand before building around an expensive Icon.
90 OVR Karl-Heinz Rummenigge ST
Unlike Raphaël Varane, Karl-Heinz Rummenigge’s inclusion as an Icon is virtually undisputed. He is one of Germany’s greatest forwards, and his official stats are equally impressive. He could be one of the best Icons available and could be worth millions of FIFA 27 coins.
He has 91 PAC, 91 DRI, and 89 Shooting, along with Finesse Shot, allowing him to break into the box and shoot with ease. If the official version had Finesse Shot+, the card might have been too powerful, although First Touch+ is still an excellent option.
90 OVR Hege Riise CM
Hege Riise is one of only three players in history to have won Women’s World Cup, European Championship, and Olympic gold medal. She retired in 2004, and this is her first appearance in EA FC series.
Hege Riise has 90 Passing and 88 Dribbling, while Pinged Pass+ allows her to deliver accurate passes over various distances. This is an excellent Icon card, although it is not expected to be as valuable as Raphaël Varane or Karl-Heinz Rummenigge.
90 OVR Miraildes Maciel Mota CDM
Miraildes Maciel Mota made her debut for Brazil in 1995 and retired in 2021, finishing one of the longest careers in professional football. This is also her first appearance in buy FUT 27 coins at IGGM.com.
As a CDM, she has 90 PHY and 87 DEF, giving her even stronger defensive stats than Pepe. Anticipate and Intercept can further improve her ability to win the ball. However, she is only 162 cm tall, which could slightly reduce her effectiveness in some defensive situations.
90 OVR Sergio Agüero ST
Sergio Agüero is one of the most undisputed additions among these Icons. During his 10 years at Manchester City, he became the club’s all-time leading scorer, before retiring in 2021 due to a heart condition. Players who build attacks around a central striker and rely on finishing inside the box.
As a striker, his stats are outstanding. He has 89 Shooting, 90 PAC, and 88 DRI, making him one of the top finishers even among Icons. The official version also gives him Finesse Shot+, so he is expected to be among the most valuable cards in transfer market.
91 OVR Christine Sinclair ST
As a legendary Canadian women’s striker, Christine Sinclair has solid Dribbling and Shooting, although her Pace and Passing are somewhat weaker. She also has Finesse Shot+, but is expected to be less valuable than Sergio Agüero.
Among the newly revealed Icons, Agüero, Varane, Pepe, and Rummenigge stand out for their combination of ratings, PlayStyles, and potential value in different FUT formations.
Final EA FC 27 Icon Ranking
1. Sergio Agüero — Best attacking option
2. Karl-Heinz Rummenigge — Best all-round striker
3. Raphaël Varane — Best defensive option
4. Pepe — Best physical centre-back
5. Tobin Heath — Best dribbling-focused winger