When starting a virtual football journey in EA FC 26 Career Mode, having a top-tier young striker (ST) can completely shape a team’s attacking identity. It is the last piece after acquiring the best GK wonderkids, CB wonderkids, RB & LB wonderkids, RM/RW wonderkids, LM/LW wonderkids, and CDM/CM/CAM wonderkids.
Accordingly, ST wonderkids are not just cheap future options — they can become the heart of a squad. These young players can score goals, hold up plays, and grow into elite players over multiple seasons. In the same sense, ST wonderkids bring a mix of high potential, adaptability, and long-term value. Whether the goal is to manage a budget club and look for hidden gems or a powerhouse aiming to build a dynasty, signing young strikers is one of the most rewarding strategies in Career Mode.
To help select players, this article lists some of the top ST wonderkids that come with room to grow, unlike established stars.
Best ST Wonderkids in EA FC 26
Here is a more detailed look at five of the top ST wonderkids in Career Mode who can transform a team’s attack and become key goal scorers in the game:
Jhon Durán (Overall Rating: 79 | Potential Rating: 85)
Jhon Durán is a well-rounded striker considering his young age. He has notable acceleration and sprint speed, making him dangerous in behind or on the break. However, Jhon currently does not have alternate positions.
In-game, he excels with his precision header ability, which allows him to execute more powerful and more accurate headers. Elsewhere on the virtual field, he has 81 for pace, 81 for shooting, 63 for passing, 75 for dribbling, 32 for defending, and 82 for physicality. Teams in Career Mode can use him for scoring opportunities due to his composure, which enables him to handle pressure well.
- Age: 21
- Team: Fenerbahçe SK
- League: Trendyol Süper Lig
- Nation: Colombia
- Rank: 920
- Height: 187cm / 6’2″
- Weight: 70kg / 154lb
- Preferred Foot: Left
- Wage: €38K
- Value: €28.5M
Samuel Aghehowa or Samu (Overall Rating: 79 | Potential Rating: 86)
Samuel Aghehow, widely known as Samu in the sport, arrives as a real aerial threat. He brings a rare combination of height and athleticism. In line with this, he possesses a strong presence in the box. Unfortunately, Samuel is purely a striker. He cannot switch to other roles.
On the virtual pitch, he holds the enforcer and precision header abilities. The former helps him perform dribble shoulder challenges and shield effectively. On the other hand, the latter lets him do powerful and accurate headers. In different aspects of the video game, Samu has 79 for pace, 79 for shooting, 58 for passing, 68 for dribbling, 36 for defending, and 83 for physicality. His jumping ability is superb, and he can surprisingly make penetrating runs or beat defenders in duels.
- Age: 21
- Team: FC Porto
- League: Liga Portugal
- Nation: Spain
- Rank: 940
- Height: 193cm / 6’4″
- Weight: 90kg / 198lb
- Preferred Foot: Right
- Wage: €14K
- Value: €36M
Mathys Tel (Overall Rating: 77 | Potential Rating: 86)
Mathys Tel is a young French ST wonderkid with a body type that supports both speed and physical play. Additionally, his explosive pace becomes his biggest asset. Compared to Jhon and Samu, Mathys is much more versatile. Besides his main role as a striker, he can play as a left winger and a central attacking midfielder.
More specifically, Tel’s ability in EA FC 26 Career Mode is finesse shot. It allows him to achieve finesse shots that are quicker, more accurate, and have increased curve. Across the digital field, he has 86 for pace, 80 for shooting, 67 for passing, 78 for dribbling, 29 for defending, and 64 for physicality. If a team needs someone who can dribble through tight spaces or drop into pockets to link up play, he might be the right pick.
- Age: 20
- Team: Tottenham Hotspur
- League: Premier League
- Nation: France
- Rank: 1497
- Height: 183cm / 6’0″
- Weight: 77kg / 170lb
- Preferred Foot: Right
- Wage: €68K
- Value: €23.5M
Endrick Felipe or Endrick (Overall Rating: 77 | Potential Rating: 89)
Endrick Felipe, or more commonly known as simply Endrick, shines with his blistering pace. It means that the young footballer is one of the fastest ST wonderkids on the list or even in the game. At a very young age, he is built for speed, agility, and technical play. Felipe can even take on dual roles as a striker and a right winger.
His key attributes within the game are gamechangers, power shot, quick step, and rapid abilities. As for other aspects of Endrick, he has 87 for pace, 77 for shooting, 62 for passing, 78 for dribbling, 30 for defending, and 68 for physicality. All of these qualities help him make dynamic runs and take powerful shots.
- Age: 19
- Team: Real Madrid
- League: La Liga EA SPORTS
- Nation: Brazil
- Rank: 1504
- Height: 173cm / 5’8″
- Weight: 66kg / 146lb
- Preferred Foot: Left
- Wage: €95K
- Value: €24.5M
Santiago Castro (Overall Rating: 76 | Potential Rating: 84)
Santiago Castro is a young striker who has a balanced physical profile, which ensures his strength and agility. Moreover, he is technically sound. However, he has no alternate positions that he can play.
Unlike other players on the list, Castro does not offer any special ability in Career Mode. Nonetheless, he has 79 for pace, 75 for shooting, 62 for passing, 75 for dribbling, 40 for defending, and 68 for physicality. But more importantly, Santiago is reliable, as he is not afraid to take responsibility in front of the goal.
- Age: 21
- Team: Bologna
- League: Serie A Enilive
- Nation: Argentina
- Rank: 1813
- Height: 182cm / 6’0″
- Weight: 76kg / 168lb
- Preferred Foot: Right
- Wage: €35K
- Value: €16.5M
Final Kick Before the Full-time Whistle
Finding ST wonderkids in EA FC 26 Career Mode can set a team up for future and lasting success. Each player on this list has a distinct profile, ranging from aerial beasts to pacey finishers, making them ideal for different tactical styles and long-term plans.
To succeed, a team manager must understand that these are not just cheap projects. They need focused development to grow into superstars and reach their peak in order to contribute significantly to the team. Furthermore, investing in these ST wonderkids early means benefiting from their potential growth, either by building a title-winning squad or selling them for profit. Either way is a win.
Note: This article incorporates the latest available EA FC 26 and Sofifa data and information at the time of writing. Keep in mind that player rating and potential in the game can change over time due to updates and real-world performance. This list serves more as a guide rather than a definitive ranking of ST wonderkids.
