MMOEXP-How to Build a Full 99-Rated Squad in EA FC 25

For every dedicated EA FC 25 Ultimate Team (FUT) player, the pinnacle of success is achieving the elusive full 99-rated squad. This doesn't just mean slapping together a few world-class cards—it means filling every starting position, every bench slot, and even your manager slot with maximum ratings. It's the dream, the flex, and EA FC 25 Coins the ultimate endgame challenge for FUT enthusiasts.

But make no mistake: building a full 99-rated squad is not easy. It requires a mix of grinding, clever market moves, elite SBC completion, and precise chemistry management. If you want to join the top 1% of FUT managers who can boast such a squad, you'll need a strategic roadmap. Let's break it down step by step.

Step 1: Understanding the Endgame Meta

To reach a 99-rated squad, you'll need more than just high-rated cards. Squad rating in FC 25 is calculated from the average of your starting XI and bench, meaning every slot counts. A 99-rated team requires:

Starting XI filled with 99-rated cards

Bench filled with 99-rated cards

Manager with a +1 chemistry boost and strong nationality/league links

This means you can't afford any weak links. Even a 97-rated bench card could drop your overall squad rating to 98. Perfection is required.

Step 2: Grind the Promo Calendar

EA Sports structures FUT around a year-long cycle of promos, with power creep steadily pushing player ratings higher. If your goal is a 99 squad, you'll need to align your grind with the biggest promos of the year:

Team of the Year (TOTY) – January brings the first wave of 98/99-rated cards. TOTY attackers and midfielders often stay endgame viable until summer.

Team of the Season (TOTS) – April and May deliver full squads of 97–99-rated players across all major leagues. This is the backbone of most 99 squads.

Ultimate TOTS / Festival of FUTball / Summer Heat-style promos – June to August promos push ratings to the maximum, flooding the market with multiple 99-rated versions of superstars.

Targeting these promos ensures you're stocking your club with endgame material. Don't waste coins on mid-season “hype” promos unless you're planning short-term squads.

Step 3: Squad Building Challenges (SBCs)

SBCs are the lifeline of a full 99-rated squad. EA consistently releases premium SBC cards that rival pack-pullable players. Some SBCs even offer guaranteed 99-rated players late in the cycle.

SBC Strategy:

Grind Upgrade SBCs – Use fodder from rewards, Rivals, and Squad Battles to repeatedly recycle into upgrade packs during major promos. This is one of the best free-to-play methods to hit 99 cards.

Complete Icon/Endgame SBCs – Icons like Pele, Zidane, and R9 often get 99-rated special versions late in the cycle. These are essential for chemistry and squad balance.

Save Fodder Smartly – Don't blow all your 84–90-rated fodder early in the season. Stockpile until SBCs offer genuine 99-rated returns.

If you're disciplined with fodder management, you'll be able to complete almost every top-tier SBC without draining your coin balance.

Step 4: Market Mastery

Coins are the fuel for building a 99 squad. Even if you're lucky with packs, you'll still need a war chest of FUT Coins to fill gaps and buy players you miss during promos.

Coin-Making Tips:

Invest Early – Buy meta cards at the start of a promo and sell during weekend demand spikes.

Flip Special Cards – Monitor fluctuations in prices of high-demand players (e.g., Mbappé, Ronaldo, Messi). Flipping can generate millions quickly.

Sell at the Right Time – Always offload cards before big pack-lightning rounds (Black Friday, TOTS release). Prices plummet, and you can buy back cheaper later.

Grind Rivals & Champs Rewards – Even modest weekend performance adds up. Packs equal fodder, which equals SBC completion.

Remember: to afford a full 99 squad, you'll likely need tens of millions of coins. Smart trading is non-negotiable.

Step 5: Chemistry and Manager Boosts

Even if you pack or buy eleven 99-rated cards, without chemistry you'll never hit maximum squad rating. FC 25's chemistry system emphasizes league, club, and nation links.

Building Chemistry for 99:

Icons & Heroes – These players link across multiple nations and leagues, gluing your squad together.

Manager Choice – A 99-rated squad requires a manager who gives +1 chemistry boost and matches your squad's dominant league or nationality. Often, this final chemistry link is what pushes the overall rating to 99.

Balance Your Bench – Remember: your substitutes also count toward overall rating. Fill them with 99-rated Icons or TOTS cards that fit your chemistry web.

Step 6: Objectives and Seasonal Rewards

While most casual players overlook Objectives, grinding them during key promos often unlocks free 97–99 rated cards. These are especially valuable for your bench, where you can save coins and SBC fodder by slotting in reward cards.

Modes like FUT Moments and seasonal milestones also drip-feed packs and players that contribute to your long-term grind. If you're serious about a 99 squad, you can't afford to skip them.

Step 7: Patience and Timing

Finally, building a full 99 squad requires one intangible: patience. Attempting to rush a 99-rated team in February is unrealistic—many cards won't even exist yet. The true window for achieving this dream squad is late May through July, when promos flood FUT with max-rated players.

Instead of draining your club early, pace yourself. Build competitive teams through TOTY and early TOTS, then strike hard once the summer promos arrive.

Final Thoughts

In EA FC 25 Ultimate Team, building a full 99-rated squad is the ultimate flex. It takes everything—coins, fodder, tactical SBC decisions, chemistry mastery, and relentless grinding of promos and objectives. It's not for the faint of heart, but for FUT managers who plan every step, it's achievable.

Imagine fielding a squad of 99-rated legends, backed by a 99-rated bench, managed by a perfect chemistry manager. Every match becomes a showcase, every opponent knows they're up against FUT royalty.

If you're chasing that dream, remember this: patience and planning turn grinders into legends. Start preparing now, EA FC 25 Coins for sale and when the final promos of FC 25 arrive, you'll be ready to join the elite few who can boast the rarest achievement in Ultimate Team—a full 99 squad.