FC 26 Cornerstones Challenge 1 SBC Guide
For players grinding FUT Champs, Rivals, or simply looking to stack up FIFA 26 Coins, the Cornerstones Challenge 1 SBC is a no-brainer. Let's take a closer look at the requirements, the best solutions, and how to maximize your rewards.
Why the Cornerstones Challenge Matters
Not every Squad Building Challenge is about securing big-name cards. Some, like this one, serve a different but equally valuable purpose: letting you clear out your club of low-rated players you're not using. The pack rewards you get back are tradeable, meaning any valuable pulls, rare consumables, chemistry items, or top-rated FC 26 Players, can be sold on the transfer market.
For players who are careful with their coins, these smaller challenges are often the most efficient way to keep resources flowing without dipping heavily into your balance of FIFA 26 Coins.
FC 26 Cornerstones Challenge 1 SBC Requirements
This SBC is straightforward but still comes with some squad-building conditions you'll need to meet.
Requirements:
Minimum 2 players from the same league
Minimum 3 nationalities in squad
Minimum 3 rare players
Minimum team rating: 65
Minimum squad chemistry: 12
Compared to past SBCs, this one is less restrictive. You don't need to field an all-gold team, Silver and Bronze cards are perfectly acceptable, as long as you balance chemistry and ratings. This flexibility makes it a great "club-clearer" SBC, especially for those with stacks of unused low-rated items sitting around.
FC 26 Cornerstones Challenge 1 SBC Solutions
The first tip is to always start with cards already in your club. That way, you avoid unnecessary spending and save your FIFA 26 Coins for bigger challenges down the line. But if you're missing a piece or two, you can cheaply pick up the players needed from the transfer market.
Here's one working solution that fits the requirements:
Graydon (62)
Gersbach (64)
Kachunga (RW, 63)
Hollman (CM, 66)
Tabiner (CM, 60)
Zou Zhenxiang (CM, 49)
O'Neill (70)
Ferri (73)
Turnbull (CB, 62)
Mnoga (RB, 59)
Bass (GK, 64)
This lineup clears all conditions: mixed nationalities, a decent balance of rare players, and enough chemistry points to pass the threshold. Because most of these players are Bronze or Silver, they're cheap and easy to find if you don't already have them.
The Rewards: Premium Gold Pack
Once you submit the squad, you'll earn a Premium Gold Pack. This pack includes:
12 total items (players, consumables, and club items)
3 guaranteed rare items
All items are tradeable
While this isn't the most high-value pack in FUT, the fact that it's tradeable makes a big difference. Even if you don't pack a walkout, you can often make coins by selling duplicates, consumables, or rare player cards. For anyone working toward building a dream squad stacked with the best FC 26 Players, every little bit of extra coin generation helps.
Tips for Maximizing Value
If you're wondering whether it's worth spending time on these smaller challenges, the answer is yes, but only if you approach them smartly. Here are some tips:
Clear your club first
Before heading to the transfer market, check your untradeable players. Use Bronze and Silver cards that are unlikely to feature in your starting squad.
Don't overspend
The whole point of fodder SBCs is to recycle what you already own. Buying multiple Gold rares just to complete a 65-rated squad defeats the purpose.
Sell duplicates immediately
Any tradeable duplicates you pack from the reward should be listed right away. Even if they're not meta cards, prices fluctuate and you might squeeze more FIFA 26 Coins out of them than expected.
Hold consumables for later
Sometimes packs drop position modifiers or chemistry style cards. These may not seem valuable now, but when demand spikes during promos, they can fetch solid coin returns.
Stack small wins
Completing challenges like this consistently ensures a steady flow of packs. Even if most rewards are average, the occasional big pull, like a promo card, can change your club's trajectory overnight.
Should You Complete the Cornerstones Challenge 1 SBC
Absolutely. It's low risk, easy to complete, and offers a tradeable reward that could yield profit. For players who are saving for promo events or hunting for specific FC 26 Players, the Premium Gold Pack provides a chance to hit something special without touching your main stash of coins.
Even if your pack luck isn't great, you'll still walk away with players and items that can be recycled into future SBCs. Think of it as a long-term grind: the more of these mini-challenges you complete, the more opportunities you have to pull high-rated cards while maintaining coin efficiency.
Final Thoughts
The FC 26 Cornerstones Challenge 1 SBC is the definition of a smart grind. It doesn't demand a huge investment, and it rewards you with a pack that could generate more value than you put in. With tradeable rewards on the line, this is one of those challenges you should complete right away.
By using unwanted players and sticking to cheap options, you'll save your FIFA 26 Coins for bigger SBCs and future promos. And who knows, you might just pull one of the top FC 26 Players in the process.
For Ultimate Team fans, this SBC is a reminder that success in FUT isn't just about big packs or expensive signings. Sometimes, it's the small, efficient moves that give you the edge.