Last updated: October 2026
Quick Answer
Ultimate Scream Team 1 is here, and this could be the first FC 27 promotion that genuinely changes the Ultimate Team meta.
As we discussed in our previous Ultimate Scream preview, this Halloween event had the potential to introduce a completely new level of player quality.
Looking at the cards now, I think that prediction was justified.
Raphinha and Cristiano Ronaldo are the obvious headline players. Both look exceptional, and there is little point pretending otherwise. The real issue is that most Ultimate Team players simply cannot afford them.
Fortunately, Team 1 has plenty of other interesting options.
Dominik Szoboszlai could significantly improve many midfield setups, Salma Paralluelo looks like another Weekend League nightmare, and Hakan Çalhanoğlu has almost everything I want from a passing-focused CM.
The Heroes are even more exciting. Jaap Stam looks like an elite centre-back, while Gianfranco Zola has a serious claim to being the best CAM in FC 27 right now.
Not every card deserves the hype, though. Cole Palmer has some weaknesses that concern me, Corentin Tolisso is limited by his 3-star Skill Moves and Weak Foot, and Nick Woltemade's SBC is one I would personally skip.
Let's break down which Ultimate Scream cards are actually worth your coins.
FC 27 Ultimate Scream Team 1 – Release Date and Player Overview
Ultimate Scream Team 1 arrives on Friday, October 23, 2026, introducing special Halloween-themed items, including a new selection of Heroes.
The promotion features attacking stars, midfielders with excellent PlayStyles and several defenders capable of improving competitive Ultimate Team squads.
Here are the main cards we are focusing on.
The table shows the primary positions on the special cards. Several players have additional positions and roles that make them more flexible than their card design initially suggests.
And that is particularly important for Szoboszlai, Çalhanoğlu and Stam.
Dominik Szoboszlai – One of the Most Interesting Midfield Upgrades
Szoboszlai is one of my favourite cards from Ultimate Scream Team 1.
Although his primary position is RB, I would be much more interested in using him in central midfield.
His attribute distribution is excellent for that role.
There is no obvious weakness in those six face stats.
He has enough Pace to cover ground, enough Defending to contribute without the ball and excellent Passing for a midfielder who needs to move possession quickly.
Why His PlayStyles Matter
The card features several particularly useful PlayStyles, including:
• Long Ball Pass
• Intercept
• Slide Tackle
• Technical
For me, the combination of passing quality and defensive support is what makes him special.
He can help defend transitions, recover possession and immediately start another attack.
I also like that he is not simply a defensive midfielder with poor attacking tools. His 84 Shooting and 85 Dribbling make him relevant around the penalty area.
Best Position and Chemistry Style
I would prefer Szoboszlai at CM, particularly in a balanced three-man midfield.
His physical model and attributes should also make him useful as a more defensive wide player, but I think his best value comes from influencing the centre of the pitch.
Best Chemistry Style: Shadow if you want to maximise his defensive reliability and recovery pace.
Alternative: Engine if you use him as a more creative midfielder and prioritise responsive movement.
We expect Szoboszlai to be one of the most useful Ultimate Scream cards for players who want a complete midfielder rather than another purely attacking superstar.
Our verdict: One of the most practical squad upgrades in Team 1.
Salma Paralluelo – Another Weekend League Nightmare
We already know the type of card Salma Paralluelo can be.
And this Ultimate Scream version looks even more dangerous.
Let's start with the obvious.
94 Pace with 94 Acceleration and 94 Sprint Speed is absolutely ridiculous for this stage of FC 27.
But pace is not the only reason I expect her to become a serious problem in Weekend League and Division Rivals.
Quick Step, Rapid and Finishing PlayStyles
Salma has an outstanding combination of attacking PlayStyles.
Her visible selection includes Quick Step, Rapid, Technical and Finesse Shot, alongside other attacking tools.
This is exactly the type of profile that works in the current meta.
Quick Step helps her create separation from defenders over short distances, while Rapid supports carrying the ball into open space.
And once she reaches the penalty area, Finesse Shot gives her another finishing option.
For a more detailed explanation of the strongest scoring techniques, see our FC 27 shooting guide.
Best Chemistry Style
I would start with Finisher.
Her natural Pace is already exceptional, so improving Shooting and Dribbling makes more sense than stacking even more speed.
Hunter is an alternative if you insist on maximising her pace and finishing, but I do not think she needs the additional speed as much as she needs better attacking consistency.
Our verdict: An obvious meta striker. Expect to face her frequently in competitive matches.
Cole Palmer – Good Stats, but I Have One Problem
On paper, Cole Palmer looks excellent.
He also has useful attacking PlayStyles, including Incisive Pass, Technical, Rapid, First Touch and Low Driven Shot.
There is plenty to like here.
In a formation such as the 4-1-2-1-2 (2), Palmer could work well as a CAM behind two strikers.
His Passing and Dribbling are good enough to support quick combinations, and Low Driven Shot provides another finishing option when he arrives inside the box.
The Problem Is His In-Game Model
For me, this is where the card becomes less attractive.
I generally prefer shorter, more agile body types in central attacking positions.
Palmer's relatively tall model can feel less responsive in tight spaces compared with smaller CAMs.
That is particularly noticeable when you need quick turns around the edge of the penalty area.
In good gameplay, his technical attributes may compensate for some of that.
In heavy gameplay or under a poor connection, however, I would be concerned about how quickly he changes direction.
This does not make Palmer a bad card.
It simply means I would not choose him over a more responsive CAM just because his face stats look excellent.
Best Chemistry Style: Engine, particularly if you want to improve his movement and passing.
Our verdict: A good creative attacker, but his body type could prevent him from becoming an elite central option for my playstyle.
Hakan Çalhanoğlu – The Midfielder I Would Seriously Consider Buying
Çalhanoğlu might not be the flashiest Ultimate Scream player, but I genuinely think he could end up in a lot of squads.
The main concern is obvious: 78 Pace is not particularly impressive.
But for me, the most important thing about Çalhanoğlu is his PlayStyle selection.
Pinged Pass and Tiki Taka – Exactly What I Want in Midfield
His card includes Pinged Pass and Tiki Taka, alongside Power Shot, Dead Ball and other useful tools.
That is a very interesting combination for a central midfielder.
Pinged Pass allows quicker and more effective ball progression, while Tiki Taka supports short-passing combinations through crowded central areas.
And with 88 Passing, Çalhanoğlu has the attributes to take advantage of both.
This is particularly valuable if you use a formation that depends on rapid passing between midfielders and forwards.
We discussed the importance of midfield PlayStyles in our FC 27 October meta analysis.
Does the 3-Star Weak Foot Matter?
Normally, yes.
But in this case, I am willing to overlook it.
His passing tools are so useful that I would still consider the card for CM.
Of course, you need to be aware of which foot you are using when playing difficult passes under pressure.
The limitation is real, but it is not enough to make me dismiss the card.
Best Chemistry Style
Shadow would be my first choice.
He needs extra Pace and can benefit from improved defensive attributes.
If you use him as a more attacking midfielder, Engine is another possibility, although it does not solve his defensive limitations as effectively.
Our verdict: A very underrated-looking Ultimate Scream card. I would not be surprised to see him in many strong squads.
Corentin Tolisso – Excellent Attributes, Frustrating Limitations
Tolisso is another card I wanted to like more.
His 86-rated CAM has a genuinely strong all-round profile.
Those are excellent numbers.
His Shooting and Passing make him attractive as a CAM, while the defensive and physical attributes give him additional flexibility.
The PlayStyles are also good.
Incisive Pass and Finesse Shot stand out in particular, while Technical, First Touch and Press Proven offer useful support in possession.
Why I Would Still Hesitate
Unfortunately, there is a significant limitation.
Three-star Skill Moves and three-star Weak Foot.
For me, that is a problem.
At CAM, I want someone who can turn in either direction, use both feet effectively and create chances without becoming predictable.
Tolisso's attributes suggest a very complete attacking midfielder, but those star ratings limit his flexibility.
That is especially frustrating because the rest of the card looks so promising.
I would be more comfortable using him as a CM than as my main CAM, where his all-round attributes are still valuable.
Best Chemistry Style: Engine for improved attacking movement, or Shadow if you want to use him in a balanced midfield role.
Our verdict: Strong stats and PlayStyles, but the 3-star/3-star combination keeps him below the most exciting cards in this promotion.
Ultimate Scream Heroes – Stam and Zola Could Be Game-Changers
Now we get to the part of Team 1 that genuinely excites me.
The new Heroes might be even more important than several of the standard promotional cards.
Jaap Stam – Potentially the Best Centre-Back Until TOTY
Stam's Ultimate Scream Hero card is extraordinary.
His primary position is CDM, but the card can also operate at CB.
And honestly, that is where I would use him.
The combination of 90 Defending, 89 Physical and 85 Pace is already exceptional.
But his defensive PlayStyles make the card even more interesting.
He has access to Anticipate, Jockey, Block, Aerial Fortress and other defensive tools.
He also has the Lengthy accelerate type, which is useful when recovering over longer distances.
Why Stam Could Dominate the Meta
For me, he has almost everything I want from an elite centre-back.
He is tall, strong, fast enough and extremely well equipped defensively.
There will always be questions about how quickly a big defender can turn when an attacker changes direction, but Stam's overall defensive package looks outstanding.
Best Chemistry Style: Anchor is a strong option if you want to reinforce Pace, Defending and Physical while preserving his physical profile.
Shadow is worth considering if recovery speed is your absolute priority.
I genuinely think Stam could remain among the best centre-backs in the game until Team of the Year arrives.
That is a very strong statement, but just look at the card.
Our verdict: One of the most desirable defenders in FC 27 Ultimate Team.
Gianfranco Zola – The Best CAM in FC 27 Right Now?
Zola looks absolutely ridiculous.
And unlike Palmer, Zola has exactly the type of attacking body model I love using.
He is compact, agile and designed for close control.
Why Zola Is So Dangerous
His PlayStyle selection includes Finesse Shot, Low Driven Shot, Technical and Quick Step.
That is an outstanding combination.
Quick Step and Technical help him move through tight spaces, while Finesse Shot and Low Driven Shot provide multiple finishing options.
For me, this is what separates Zola from so many other CAMs.
You do not need to choose between excellent movement, creative passing and dangerous finishing.
He offers all three.
Best Position and Chemistry Style
I would use him as CAM behind the striker or as a creative second forward.
Hunter is my preferred Chemistry Style if you want to maximise his attacking threat.
Engine is also useful if you value playmaking and close control more than additional finishing.
Our verdict: My pick for the best CAM in FC 27 right now.
At least for this week.
And there is a reason I am adding that last sentence.
We will return to it when discussing the leaked second Ultimate Scream team.
Bonus Review – Is Nick Woltemade's Ultimate Scream SBC Worth Completing?
I am going to keep this simple.
I would skip this SBC.
At first glance, those stats are not terrible.
He also has useful technical PlayStyles, including Low Driven Shot and Incisive Pass.
But there is one major problem.
83 Pace on a 198 cm Striker?
Forgive me, but what exactly are we supposed to do with this card?
In a meta where quick acceleration and responsive movement are so important, Woltemade's combination of 83 Pace and an extremely tall body type is not something I want to build my attack around.
Yes, he has the Lengthy accelerate type.
Yes, he could be useful for a specific style of play that relies on physical strength, aerial duels and hold-up play.
But for me, those are not enough reasons to complete the SBC.
He also has alternatives on the market that provide more direct attacking value.
SBC Cost and Value
The estimated SBC cost shown in the supplied market snapshot is around 49,000 FC 27 coins.
That is not an enormous investment, but it is still a meaningful amount of fodder or coins at this stage of Ultimate Team.
And I would rather spend those resources elsewhere.
Our verdict: Skip. Unless you specifically enjoy tall target strikers, this SBC does not offer enough meta value.
Ultimate Scream Token Store – What Should You Buy?
Are the Token Store Players Worth It?
Personally, I am not particularly excited about the individual player rewards.
I would rather save my tokens for packs or the retro card designs.
That might sound strange, but the retro designs are one of the most appealing parts of the entire promotion from a nostalgia perspective.
And if you want competitive squad value, packs at least give you a chance to pull something more useful for your team.
Of course, the guaranteed Ultimate Scream packs carry their own risk: you could receive a lower-tier promotional card rather than one of the expensive stars.
So I would not automatically spend 800 tokens without considering the alternatives.
Our recommendation: Prioritise packs if you want squad resources, or retro card designs if you enjoy collecting classic Ultimate Team cosmetics.
I would not spend a huge number of tokens on the individual player rewards just because they have a special card design.
Ultimate Scream Team 2 Leaks – Is an Even Better CAM Coming?
And now for the final bonus.
The second Ultimate Scream team has already appeared in leaks.
If the information is accurate, Team 2 could be even more ridiculous than the first release.
There are also several reported 85-rated players, including Amoura, Matheus Cunha and Ivan Perišić.
The expected release date is Friday, October 30, 2026.
Remember, this is leaked information and the final squad may change.
Michael Olise – The Card That Could Challenge Zola
Remember when I called Zola the best CAM in FC 27 right now?
Well, that title might not last very long.
The leaked 92-rated Michael Olise card has:
• 85 Pace
• 85 Shooting
• 91 Passing
• 93 Dribbling
• 50 Defending
• 72 Physical
Those are exceptional creative attacking attributes.
If Olise receives the right PlayStyles and performs as well as his 93 Dribbling suggests, he could become an outstanding CAM.
And he is not the only exciting name.
Messi, Ginola and Kvaratskhelia could also become extremely desirable attacking cards.
Should You Spend Your Coins on Team 1 or Wait?
This is where things become interesting for the transfer market.
If you already have a strong squad, I would be cautious about spending all your coins on a single Team 1 player.
Team 2 could introduce direct alternatives, and the arrival of more expensive promotional cards may influence prices across several positions.
That does not guarantee a market crash. Prices depend on supply, pack availability and demand.
But it is definitely a reason to avoid making an emotional purchase immediately.
For more squad-building context, check our FC 27 custom tactics and formations guide.
Final Verdict – Is Ultimate Scream Team 1 Worth the Hype?
Absolutely.
We expected Ultimate Scream to be one of the first promotions capable of significantly changing the FC 27 meta, and Team 1 looks strong enough to justify that excitement.
The biggest winners are not necessarily the players with the highest overall ratings.
Szoboszlai has the tools to become an excellent midfielder, Çalhanoğlu offers the passing PlayStyles that competitive players love, and Salma Paralluelo looks terrifying for anyone defending against quick attackers.
Stam and Zola are the real standouts for me.
Stam could remain an elite centre-back for months, while Zola has the attacking movement, Dribbling and PlayStyles to dominate the CAM position.
On the other hand, I would be more careful with Palmer and Tolisso.
Both have attractive stats, but their limitations could become frustrating in competitive gameplay.
And Woltemade?
I would save my fodder.
Our final verdict: Ultimate Scream Team 1 is one of the strongest FC 27 promotions so far, with several genuinely meta-defining cards.
However, with Team 2 potentially bringing Olise, Messi and Ginola next week, we would avoid spending every last coin immediately.
The Halloween promo is already impressive.
And the best might still be ahead of us.
Need FC 27 Coins for Ultimate Scream?
Ultimate Scream introduces several players capable of changing how your squad performs, but premium cards can require a significant Ultimate Team coin investment.
If you are planning an upgrade, you can explore the latest FC 27 coins options on FutBuy. Compare your options carefully and consider EA's account and transfer-market rules before purchasing.
FC 27 Ultimate Scream Team 1 FAQ
Who are the best Ultimate Scream Team 1 players?
Raphinha, Cristiano Ronaldo, Stam, Zola and Salma Paralluelo are among the strongest cards. Szoboszlai and Çalhanoğlu are particularly interesting midfield options.
Is Szoboszlai worth buying?
Yes, especially as a CM. His balanced attributes, 88 Passing and defensive PlayStyles make him a versatile squad upgrade.
Is Zola the best CAM in FC 27?
For me, yes. His 90 Dribbling, compact body type and attacking PlayStyles make him exceptional, although Team 2 could introduce stronger alternatives.
Is Woltemade's Ultimate Scream SBC worth it?
We would skip it. His 83 Pace and tall body model are difficult to justify in the current attacking meta.
What should you buy in the Ultimate Scream Token Store?
We prefer packs and retro card designs over the individual player rewards, depending on your token balance.
When does Ultimate Scream Team 2 release?
Team 2 is expected on October 30, 2026, with leaked players including Olise, Messi, Ginola and Kvaratskhelia.
