Last updated: June 2026
Quick Answer
If you're looking for a powerful Lengthy left winger who can score, create chances, and bully defenders without spending millions of coins, Cody Gakpo's upgraded SBC is one of the best value cards currently available in FC 26.
He isn't perfect, but after testing him extensively, it's hard to find a major weakness. For most players, he's a better investment than many market alternatives costing significantly more.
Cody Gakpo SBC Review: Is He Worth Completing?
For the first time in a while, EA has released an SBC card that genuinely feels competitive with the elite options on the market without costing a fortune.
At the time of writing, Cody Gakpo's upgraded SBC sits among the strongest Lengthy left-wing options available and still has upgrade potential depending on Netherlands performances.
The biggest surprise isn't even the stats. It's how complete the card feels in-game.
Pros
• Elite finishing from both inside and outside the box
• Lengthy AcceleRATE makes him extremely fast over distance
• Strong physical presence and excellent shielding
• High-level passing despite lacking Pinged Pass
• Great attacking AI and positioning
• Strong PlayStyle+ combination
• Future upgrade potential
Cons
• 4★ Weak Foot isn't flawless
• Missing Pinged Pass
• Not quite at the level of the absolute top-tier luxury cards
PlayStyles and In-Game Performance
One of the biggest reasons this card performs so well is the PlayStyle setup.
PlayStyle+
• Finesse Shot+
• Incisive Pass+
• Rapid+
Additional PlayStyles
• Precision Header
• Low Driven Shot
• Gamechanger
• Tiki Taka
• Technical
• First Touch
• Press Proven
• Quick Step
This combination covers nearly everything a modern winger needs.
Finesse Shot+ gives him reliable long-range scoring ability.
Rapid+ combined with Lengthy acceleration creates a unique feeling where he starts quickly and then simply runs away from defenders.
Incisive Pass+ is another underrated bonus. Even though many players focus on Pinged Pass at this stage of the game, Gakpo's passing stats are so high that his through balls and final passes still feel excellent.
Why Lengthy Makes This Card Special
A lot of attackers have great stats on paper.
Not many combine those stats with a Lengthy AcceleRATE profile.
With the right chemistry style (Sniper or Hunter are the most popular choices), Gakpo becomes a physical machine.
He covers ground incredibly well, especially in:
• 4-5-1
• 4-2-3-1
• 4-4-2
• 4-2-2-2
Once he reaches top speed, defenders often struggle to recover.
His combination of strength, sprint speed, and body type creates the feeling of a traditional power winger rather than a small agile dribbler.
In-Game Stats That Actually Matter
The raw numbers back up the gameplay experience.
Key Stats
• 94 Pace
• 95 Shooting
• 94 Passing
• 95 Dribbling
• 91 Physical
What stands out most:
Finishing
His finishing feels elite.
Right foot chances are extremely reliable, and even many left-footed opportunities still find the back of the net.
Passing
The lack of Pinged Pass initially looks concerning.
In practice, it rarely becomes a problem.
His passing attributes are boosted so heavily that most dangerous through balls still arrive accurately.
Physicality
This may be the strongest part of the card.
With nearly maxed-out strength and Press Proven, Gakpo is extremely difficult to push off the ball.
Defenders frequently bounce off him during shoulder challenges.
Dribbling
For a player with this size and physical profile, he feels surprisingly agile.
The combination of Technical, First Touch, and boosted dribbling stats makes him much smoother than expected.
Are There Any Real Weaknesses?
4★ Weak Foot
This was the biggest concern before using the card.
There will occasionally be moments where a left-footed chance doesn't feel quite as automatic as a true 5★ weak-foot attacker.
However, after a larger sample of matches, it doesn't feel like a major issue.
The card still scores plenty of difficult chances on his weaker foot.
No Pinged Pass
Another concern that looks worse on paper than it does in-game.
Every pass that matters is usually completed.
His stats compensate for the missing PlayStyle surprisingly well.
Comparison With Other Lengthy Left Wingers
Salma 96
Probably still stronger overall, although direct comparison is difficult without extensive testing.
Chawinga 97
In a 4-4-2 setup, Chawinga may have the edge.
In formations that ask the winger to create and carry the attack, Gakpo feels better.
Kika 96
As a pure left winger, Gakpo offers more impact.
Semenyo 94
Gakpo is comfortably ahead.
EVO Fantasy Birthday Iñaki Williams
A fantastic card, but Gakpo feels more complete overall.
Who Should Complete This SBC?
Complete It If:
• You use Lengthy attackers
• You need a new left winger
• You like physical wide players
• You want a card with upgrade potential
• You're looking for strong value compared to expensive market cards
Skip It If:
• You only use small agile dribblers
• You rely heavily on Pinged Pass
• You already own an elite untradeable left winger
Is Cody Gakpo Worth the Coins?
Yes.
This SBC delivers excellent value relative to its cost.
Many cards in the same position either perform similarly while costing far more on the market or offer less physical presence.
The fact that this card can still receive upgrades makes the value proposition even stronger.
At the time of writing, Gakpo already feels like a top-tier Lengthy winger. Any additional upgrades could push him into the elite category.
Final Verdict
Cody Gakpo is one of the best SBCs EA has released in recent weeks.
He has elite shooting, excellent passing, top-tier physicality, strong PlayStyles, and a Lengthy profile that makes him incredibly effective in the current meta.
Most importantly, he doesn't have a critical weakness.
The lack of Pinged Pass and the 4★ Weak Foot sound concerning, but neither issue significantly impacts his overall performance.
Rating: 9.2/10
Best For: Players looking for a powerful Lengthy left winger who can score, create, and dominate physically.
Recommendation: Complete the SBC if it fits your squad. This is one of the easiest SBC recommendations of the current promo.
Looking to build the rest of your Ultimate Team around players like Gakpo? Check the latest FC 26 coins market trends and squad-building opportunities before making major upgrades.
