EA Sports FC 26 has dropped a major objective set in Ultimate Team called Journey of Nations: North America, and the prize is a free 97-rated Diego Maradona card. For Latino players across the Americas and the diaspora, this is a chance to add one of football's greatest icons to your squad without spending a dime. But the grind is real: you'll need to complete roughly 12 to 14 matches across three distinct phases, each with specific squad requirements and skill challenges.
This isn't just about grinding games—it's about smart planning. The Journey of Nations is a global progression tree, and missing the North American chapter locks you out of the Maradona reward permanently, no matter how many other regions you finish. So let's break down the most efficient path through the objectives, keeping your club's resources and your sanity intact.
Phase One: The Concacaf Dynamic Duo
The first phase requires six matches using a hybrid squad built around United States and Mexican players. You'll need a 4-4-2 (2) formation with exactly six US items, three Mexican items, and one Brazilian item. Key players to start: Clint Dempsey and the 88-rated Hero Rafael Márquez. Keep them in the starting XI for the entire leg—milestone scoring windows can pop up unexpectedly.
Your tasks for this phase include:
- Secure at least 1 clean sheet (you can sub out Márquez after achieving it).
- Win 6 total matches across applicable modes.
- Earn 3 specific wins in Rivals, Champions, or live friendly events.
- Score 1 free kick goal using any Mexican player.
- Score 6 low driven goals using US players.
- Score 1 low driven goal specifically with Dempsey.
- Score 1 headed goal using Márquez.
- Assist 3 goals using precise through passes.
- Accumulate 7 team goals.
Low driven shots require precise analog input. If you're not comfortable with the mechanic, practice in Kick Off mode before jumping into competitive Rivals. It'll save you time and frustration.
Phase Two: Unleashing the Canadian Core
Once you wrap up the first phase, overhaul your squad for five games with at least six Canadian items in the starting lineup. Position your Canadian midfielders in attacking roles to naturally generate key assists without forcing predictable passing lines.
Objectives for this phase:
- Secure 3 wins in Rivals, Champions, or live events.
- Provide at least 2 assists in a single match using any player.
- Score 2 total goals using the precision shot mechanic.
- Assist 3 goals using lobbed through passes.
A pro tip: trigger manual attacking runs with the controller triggers to send your strikers behind the defense right before you send a lobbed through ball over the top. This makes the lobbed assist objectives much easier.
Phase Three: The Final Sprint in Rush Mode
The closing leg shifts to Rush mode, the fast-paced small-sided format. With fewer defenders and a smaller pitch, Rush naturally produces high-scoring games, letting you rack up goals and assists quickly. You'll need one to three matches here.
Final tasks:
- Play matches in Rush mode using any North American player.
- Win at least 1 match by a margin of 2 or more goals.
- Score 7 collective goals as a team.
- Log 5 collective team assists.
Rush is chaotic but efficient—just focus on team play and the objectives will complete themselves.
Rewards and Club Management
Beyond the 97-rated Maradona, clearing the North America cluster injects 60,000 Ultimate Team coins into your club, plus evolution consumables and high-rated promotional player items. That coin injection alone is a massive boost for casual and competitive players alike. If you're planning for the upcoming EA FC 26 World Cup Mode, this is a great way to stock up resources.
For Latino fans, this objective set feels like a nod to the region's football passion—from the US-Mexico rivalry to Canada's growing presence. Whether you're in Buenos Aires, Los Angeles, or San Juan, this is your chance to bring Maradona into your Ultimate Team. Just remember to manage your duplicates and sell off any unwanted items on the transfer market to maximize your coin return.
With the 2026 World Cup on the horizon, this is the perfect time to build a squad that reflects the diversity of North American football. Good luck, and may your low-driven shots find the net.
