In EA FC 26, pace isn’t just a stat—it’s a weapon. A through ball from a creative midfielder, a burst of acceleration from your striker, and suddenly, it’s just you and the keeper. That split-second advantage is what wins tight games in Division Rivals and the Weekend League.
But who are the true speed demons you can trust to run in behind? We’re not just looking at the raw “Pace” number on the card. We’re talking about players who feel rapid in-game, with animations and body types that make them impossible to catch. Let’s break down the elite tier of lightning-fast forwards.
The Undisputed Meta: The Name You Know
There’s one card that sits atop the pace food chain, and it’s no surprise.
Kylian Mbappé (92 OVR)
Pace: 97
The Lowdown: Let’s be real, you knew this was coming. Mbappé isn’t just fast; he’s Mbappé fast. His unique body type and custom animations make his 97 Pace feel like 99. He combines this with elite dribbling and 5-star skills, making him the most devastating offensive weapon in the game. If you’re building a squad to compete at the highest level and you have the FC 26 Coins to fund it, he remains the ultimate goal.
The Elite Contenders: Pure Lightning in a Bottle
These players live and die by their pace, and they are absolutely lethal in the right hands.
Vinícius Jr. (89 OVR)
Pace: 95
The Lowdown: While often deployed at LW, his high attacking work rate and blistering 95 Pace make him a nightmare as a central striker in a two-striker formation. His agility is off the charts, allowing him to change direction and explode away from defenders in a way that feels almost unfair.
Karim Adeyemi (81 OVR)
Pace: 95
The Lowdown: Don’t let the gold card fool you. With a basic 95 Pace and 4-star/4-star combo, Adeyemi is the definition of a budget beast. He is the perfect player to lead your line in the first few weeks of the game cycle or as a super-sub later on, tirelessly running onto through balls against tired defenders.
The Secret Weapons: Under-the-Radar Pace Merchants
Beyond the usual suspects, a few cards offer staggering pace without the premium price tag.
Jeremy Doku (82 OVR)
Pace: 94
The Lowdown: Another winger who can be a terror centrally. With 94 Pace and 90 Agility, his acceleration is instantaneous. He’s harder to push off the ball than you’d think, and he provides perfect links to a growing number of meta Premier League and Belgian players.
Leroy Sané (85 OVR)
Pace: 90
The Lowdown: Sané feels faster than his 90 Pace suggests thanks to his long strides and unique player model. He covers ground incredibly quickly and boasts a powerful shot to match. He’s a fantastic option for a Bundesliga squad looking for a direct and pacy threat.
Maximizing the Pace: A Quick Tip
To truly unlock the potential of these players, always consider the Hunter chemistry style. It pushes their Pace and Shooting to the absolute maximum, transforming a fast player into a pure, game-breaking attacker.
Building a squad around one of these players can completely change your FC 26 experience. The threat of a constant, pacy run in behind forces your opponent to defend deeper, creating more space for your entire team to operate.
Of course, acquiring the top-tier options like Mbappé requires a significant investment. For managers who want to skip the grind and immediately add this level of firepower to their squad, knowing where to find safe FC 26 Coins is a crucial part of the strategy.
Who’s your go-to pacy striker in FC 26? Let us know who we missed!