FIFA 21 Icon SBCs LEAKS: Latest News, Release Dates, Predictions, Live Countdown And Investments

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Icon SBCs (Squad Building Challenges) are now LIVE in FIFA 21 Ultimate Team, returning after a year’s absence from the previous title after an explosion of feedback from the community.

This is a great way for players to grab an icon they might not normally be able to obtain from the market!

Having Icons available in SBCs once again makes them so much more accessible to players, as well as regulating the market for higher tier icon cards, making these high-end cards attainable to a larger player base.

Read More: FIFA 21 Icon Swaps Set 1 Hub: Release Dates, Predictions, Live Countdown And Tips On How To Prepare

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91 Roberto Carlos - January 15th

Roberto Carlos’ Prime Icon card has been released into icon SBCs for a limited time!

Release Date: Friday 15th JanuaryExpiry Date: Tuesday 9th February

SBC Requirements:

  • SQUAD 1: Bronze Rares: Exactly 11 | Team Chemistry: Min 50
  • SQUAD 2: Silver Rares: Exactly 11 | Team Chemistry: Min 50
  • SQUAD 3: IF + FUT Champs Players: Min 1 | Squad Rating: Min 83 | Team Chemistry: Min 80
  • SQUAD 4: Inter Players: Min 1 | Squad Rating: Min 84 | Team Chemistry: Min 75
  • SQUAD 5: Real Madrid Players: Min 1 | IF + FUT Champs Players: Min 1 | Squad Rating: Min 84 | Team Chemistry: Min 70
  • SQUAD 6: Brazil Players: Min 1 | Squad Rating: Min 85 | Team Chemistry: Min 65
  • SQUAD 7: La Liga Players: Min 1 | IF + FUT Champs Players: Min 1 | Squad Rating: Min 86 | Team Chemistry: Min 60
  • SQUAD 8: Serie A Players: Min 1 | Squad Rating: Min 87 | Team Chemistry: Min 55
  • SQUAD 9: Squad Rating: Min 88 | Team Chemistry: Min 50

92 Fabio Cannavaro - January 15th

Fabio Cannavaro’s Prime Icon card has been released into icon SBCs for a limited time!

Release Date: Friday 15th JanuaryExpiry Date: Tuesday 9th February

SBC Requirements:

  • SQUAD 1: Bronze Rares: Exactly 11 | Team Chemistry: Min 50
  • SQUAD 2: Silver Rares: Exactly 11 | Team Chemistry: Min 50
  • SQUAD 3: IF + FUT Champs Players: Min 1 | Squad Rating: Min 82 | Team Chemistry: Min 80
  • SQUAD 4: Real Madrid Players: Min 1 | IF + FUT Champs Players: Min 1 | Squad Rating: Min 84 | Team Chemistry: Min 75
  • SQUAD 5: Piemonte Calcio Players: Min 1 | Squad Rating: Min 86 | Team Chemistry: Min 70
  • SQUAD 6: Italy OR France Players: Min 1 | IF + FUT Champs Players: Min 1 | Squad Rating: Min 86 | Team Chemistry: Min 65
  • SQUAD 7: Serie A Players: Min 1 | Squad Rating: Min 88 | Team Chemistry: Min 50

90 Jay-Jay Okocha - January 15th

Jay-Jay Okocha’s Prime Icon card has been released into icon SBCs for a limited time!

Release Date: Friday 15th JanuaryExpiry Date: Tuesday 9th February

SBC Requirements:

  • SQUAD 1: Bronze Rares: Exactly 11 | Team Chemistry: Min 50
  • SQUAD 2: Silver Rares: Exactly 11 | Team Chemistry: Min 50
  • SQUAD 3: IF + FUT Champs Players: Min 1 | Squad Rating: Min 80 | Team Chemistry: Min 80
  • SQUAD 4: Bundesliga Players: Min 1 | IF + FUT Champs Players: Min 1 | Squad Rating: Min 83 | Team Chemistry: Min 75
  • SQUAD 5: PSG Players: Min 1 | IF + FUT Champs Players: Min 1 | Squad Rating: Min 85 | Team Chemistry: Min 70
  • SQUAD 6: Premier League Players: Min 1 | Squad Rating: Min 87 | Team Chemistry: Min 50

91 Kaka - January 9th

Kaka’s Prime Icon card has been released into icon SBCs for a limited time!

Release Date: Saturday 9th JanuaryExpiry Date: Monday 1st March

SBC Requirements:

  • SQUAD 1: Bronze Rares: Exactly 11 | Team Chemistry: Min 50
  • SQUAD 2: Silver Rares: Exactly 11 | Team Chemistry: Min 50
  • SQUAD 3: IF + FUT Champs Players: Min 1 | Squad Rating: Min 83 | Team Chemistry: Min 80
  • SQUAD 4: Milan Players: Min 1 | IF + FUT Champs Players: Min 1 | Squad Rating: Min 84 | Team Chemistry: Min 75
  • SQUAD 5: Real Madrid Players: Min 1 | IF + FUT Champs Players: Min 1 | Squad Rating: Min 85 | Team Chemistry: Min 70
  • SQUAD 6: Brazil Players: Min 1 | Squad Rating: Min 86 | Team Chemistry: Min 65
  • SQUAD 7: Serie A Players: Min 1 | IF + FUT Champs Players: Min 1 | Squad Rating: Min 86 | Team Chemistry: Min 60
  • SQUAD 8: La Liga Players: Min 1 | Squad Rating: Min 87 | Team Chemistry: Min 50
  • SQUAD 9: Squad Rating: Min 88 | Team Chemistry: Min 50

91 Michael Owen - January 9th

Michael Owen’s Prime Icon card has been released into icon SBCs for a limited time!

Release Date: Saturday 9th JanuaryExpiry Date: Monday 1st March

SBC Requirements:

  • SQUAD 1: Bronze Rares: Exactly 11 | Team Chemistry: Min 50
  • SQUAD 2: Silver Rares: Exactly 11 | Team Chemistry: Min 50
  • SQUAD 3: IF + FUT Champs Players: Min 1 | Squad Rating: Min 82 | Team Chemistry: Min 80
  • SQUAD 4: Liverpool Players: Min 1 | IF + FUT Champs Players: Min 1 | Squad Rating: Min 84 | Team Chemistry: Min 75
  • SQUAD 5: England Players: Min 1 | Squad Rating: Min 85 | Team Chemistry: Min 70
  • SQUAD 6: La Liga Players: Min 1 | IF + FUT Champs Players: Min 1 | Squad Rating: Min 86 | Team Chemistry: Min 65

90 Roy Keane - January 9th

Roy Keane’s Prime Icon card has been released into icon SBCs for a limited time!

Release Date: Saturday 9th JanuaryExpiry Date: Monday 1st March

SBC Requirements:

  • SQUAD 1: Bronze Rares: Exactly 11 | Team Chemistry: Min 50
  • SQUAD 2: Silver Rares: Exactly 11 | Team Chemistry: Min 50
  • SQUAD 3: IF + FUT Champs Players: Min 1 | Squad Rating: Min 80 | Team Chemistry: Min 80
  • SQUAD 4: Manchester United Players: Min 1 | IF + FUT Champs Players: Min 1 | Squad Rating: Min 83 | Team Chemistry: Min 75
  • SQUAD 5: Premier League Players: Min 1 | Squad Rating: Min 85 | Team Chemistry: Min 70
  • SQUAD 6: Squad Rating: Min 86 | Team Chemistry: Min 65
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88 Fernando Torres - December 28th 

Fernando Torres’ middle icon card has been released into icon SBCs for a limited time!

Release Date: Monday 28th DecemberExpiry Date: Friday 12th February

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SBC Requirements:

  • SQUAD 1: Bronze Rares: Exactly 11 | Team Chemistry: Min 50
  • SQUAD 2: Silver Rares: Exactly 11 | Team Chemistry: Min 50
  • SQUAD 3: IF + FUT Champs Players: Min 1 | Squad Rating: Min 83 | Team Chemistry: Min 80
  • SQUAD 4: Atletico Madrid Players: Min 1 | IF + FUT Champs Players: Min 1 | Squad Rating: Min 84 | Team Chemistry: Min 75
  • SQUAD 5: Liverpool Players: Min 1 | IF + FUT Champs Players: Min 1 | Squad Rating: Min 85 | Team Chemistry: Min 70
  • SQUAD 6: Chelsea Players: Min 1 | Squad Rating: Min 86 | Team Chemistry: Min 65
  • SQUAD 7: Spain Players: Min 1 | IF + FUT Champs Players: Min 1 | Squad Rating: Min 86 | Team Chemistry: Min 60
  • SQUAD 8: Serie A Players: Min 1 | IF + FUT Champs Players: Min 1 | Squad Rating: Min 87 | Team Chemistry: Min 50

To view the cheapest solutions for all these SBCs, be sure to check out Torres’ Cheapest Solutions Guide here!

89 John Barnes - December 28th 

John Barnes’ Prime icon card has been released into icon SBCs for a limited time!

Release Date: Monday 28th DecemberExpiry Date: Friday 12th February

SBC Requirements:

  • SQUAD 1: Bronze Rares: Exactly 11 | Team Chemistry: Min 50
  • SQUAD 2: Silver Rares: Exactly 11 | Team Chemistry: Min 50
  • SQUAD 3: IF + FUT Champs Players: Min 1 | Squad Rating: Min 82 | Team Chemistry: Min 80
  • SQUAD 4: Liverpool Players: Min 1 | IF + FUT Champs Players: Min 1 | Squad Rating: Min 84 | Team Chemistry: Min 75
  • SQUAD 5: England Players: Min 1 | IF + FUT Champs Players: Min 1 | Squad Rating: Min 85 | Team Chemistry: Min 70
  • SQUAD 6: Premier League Players: Min 1 | IF + FUT Champs Players: Min 1 | Squad Rating: Min 86 | Team Chemistry: Min 65

To view the cheapest solutions for all these SBCs, be sure to check out Barnes’ Cheapest Solutions Guide here!

91 Fernando Hierro - December 28th 

Fernando Hierro’s Prime icon card has been released into icon SBCs for a limited time!

Release Date: Monday 28th DecemberExpiry Date: Friday 12th February

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SBC Requirements:

  • SQUAD 1: Bronze Rares: Exactly 11 | Team Chemistry: Min 50
  • SQUAD 2: Silver Rares: Exactly 11 | Team Chemistry: Min 50
  • SQUAD 3: IF + FUT Champs Players: Min 1 | Squad Rating: Min 80 | Team Chemistry: Min 80
  • SQUAD 4: Real Madrid Players: Min 1 | IF + FUT Champs Players: Min 1 | Squad Rating: Min 84 | Team Chemistry: Min 75
  • SQUAD 5: Spain Players: Min 1 | Squad Rating: Min 85 | Team Chemistry: Min 70
  • SQUAD 6: La Liga Players: Min 1 | IF & FUT Champs Players: Min 1 | Squad Rating: Min 86 | Team Chemistry: Min 65

To view the cheapest solutions for all these SBCs, be sure to check out Hierro’s Cheapest Solutions Guide here!

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90 Dennis Bergkamp - November 26th

Dennis Bergkamp’s middle icon card has been released into icon SBCs for a limited time!

Release Date: Thursday 26th NovemberExpiry Date: Saturday 26th December

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SBC Requirements:

  • SQUAD 1: Bronze Rares: Exactly 11 | Team Chemistry: Min 50
  • SQUAD 2: Silver Rares: Exactly 11 | Team Chemistry: Min 50
  • SQUAD 3: IF + FUT Champs Players: Min 1 | Squad Rating: Min 82 | Team Chemistry: Min 75
  • SQUAD 4: Arsenal Players: Min 1 | IF + FUT Champs Players: Min 1 | Squad Rating: Min 84 | Team Chemistry: Min 70
  • SQUAD 5: Netherlands Players: Min 1 | Squad Rating: Min 85 | Team Chemistry: Min 65
  • SQUAD 6: Premier League Players: Min 1 | Squad Rating: Min 86 | Team Chemistry: Min 60
  • SQUAD 7: Serie A Players: Min 1 | IF + FUT Champs Players: Min 1 | Squad Rating: Min 86 | Team Chemistry: Min 55
  • SQUAD 8: Squad Rating: Min 87 | Team Chemistry: Min 50

To view the cheapest solutions for all these SBCs, be sure to check out Bergkamp’s Cheapest Solutions Guide here!

Price: ~675,000 - 800,000 Coins

Worth It? 

Bergkamp is the best icon released out of the set, but comes with barely a 5% discount on his tradeable icon price. For that reason, we recommend steering clear of the SBC. If you’re interested in getting a Bergkamp card, buy the tradeable off the market and re-sell him as and when you wish.

88 Juan Sebastian Veron - November 26th

Juan Sebastian Veron’s middle icon card has been released into icon SBCs for a limited time!

Release Date: Thursday 26th NovemberExpiry Date: Saturday 26th December

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SBC Requirements:

  • SQUAD 1: Bronze Rares: Exactly 11 | Team Chemistry: Min 50
  • SQUAD 2: Silver Rares: Exactly 11 | Team Chemistry: Min 50
  • SQUAD 3: IF + FUT Champs Players: Min 1 | Squad Rating: Min 81 | Team Chemistry: Min 75
  • SQUAD 4: Argentina Players: Min 1 | Squad Rating: Min 84 | Team Chemistry: Min 70
  • SQUAD 5: Lazio & Inter Players: Min 1 | IF + FUT Champs Players: Min 1 | Squad Rating: Min 84 | Team Chemistry: Min 65
  • SQUAD 6: Serie A Players: Min 1 | Squad Rating: Min 85 | Team Chemistry: Min 60
  • SQUAD 7: Premier League Players: Min 1 | IF + FUT Champs Players: Min 1 | Squad Rating: Min 86 | Team Chemistry: Min 50

To view the cheapest solutions for all these SBCs, be sure to check out Veron’s Cheapest Solutions Guide here!

Price: ~400,000 Coins

Worth It? 

Veron’s SBC comes in very close to his tradeable price at around 400,000 coins with the cheapest solution, meaning it’s probably best to just purchase the tradeable version if you’re interested in the Argentine maestro. 

85 Luis Hernandez - November 26th

Luis Hernandez’s base icon card has been released into icon SBCs for a limited time!

Release Date: Thursday 26th NovemberExpiry Date: Saturday 26th December

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SBC Requirements:

  • SQUAD 1: Bronze Rares: Exactly 11 | Team Chemistry: Min 50
  • SQUAD 2: Silver Rares: Exactly 11 | Team Chemistry: Min 50
  • SQUAD 3: IF + FUT Champs Players: Min 1 | Squad Rating: Min 80 | Team Chemistry: Min 75
  • SQUAD 4: Mexico Players: Min 1 | IF + FUT Champs Players: Min 1 | Squad Rating: Min 81 | Team Chemistry: Min 70
  • SQUAD 5: Squad Rating: Min 85 | Team Chemistry: Min 65
  • SQUAD 6: Squad Rating: Min 86 | Team Chemistry: Min 60
  • SQUAD 7: IF + FUT Champs Players: Min 1 | Squad Rating: Min 86 | Team Chemistry: Min 55

To view the cheapest solutions for all these SBCs, be sure to check out Hernandez’s Cheapest Solutions Guide here!

Price: ~425,000 Coins

Worth It? 

While Hernandez’s SBC might be somewhat cheaper than his tradeable version on PS, it’s hard to suggest completing this SBC for such a high coin total. We’d recommend holding on to those coins, especially with FUTMAS and TOTY only a few weeks away!

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90 Luis Figo - November 20th

Luis Figo’s middle icon card has been released into icon SBCs for a limited time!

Release Date: Friday 20th NovemberExpiry Date: Sunday 20th December

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SBC Requirements:

SQUAD 1: Bronze Rares: Exactly 11 | Team Chemistry: Min 50SQUAD 2: Silver Rares: Exactly 11 | Team Chemistry: Min 50SQUAD 3: IF + FUT Champs Players: Min 1 | Squad Rating: Min 81 | Team Chemistry: Min 75SQUAD 4: Portugal Players: Min 1 | IF + FUT Champs Players: Min 1 | Squad Rating: Min 82 | Team Chemistry: Min 70SQUAD 5: Barcelona Players: Min 1 | IF + FUT Champs Players: Min 1 | Squad Rating: Min 86 | Team Chemistry: Min 65SQUAD 6: Real Madrid Players: Min 1 | IF + FUT Champs Players: Min 1 | Squad Rating: Min 87 | Team Chemistry: Min 55SQUAD 7: Serie A Players: Min 1 | IF + FUT Champs Players: Min 1 | Squad Rating: Min 88 | Team Chemistry: Min 50SQUAD 8: Squad Rating: Min 89 | Team Chemistry: Min 50

To view the cheapest solutions for all these SBCs, be sure to check out Figo’s Cheapest Solutions Guide here!

Price: ~1,000,000 Coins

Worth It? 

Coming it at a cost very close to his card tradeable on the market, it’s hard to advise completing Figo’s SBC, seeing as you can simply buy his tradeable item, and sell it again in the future. Hold off completing this one and save those coins for higher end icons later in the year.

 88 Javier Zanetti - November 20th

Javier Zanetti’s middle icon card has been released into icon SBCs for a limited time!

Release Date: Friday 20th NovemberExpiry Date: Sunday 20th December

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SBC Requirements:

SQUAD 1: Bronze Rares: Exactly 11 | Team Chemistry: Min 50SQUAD 2: Silver Rares: Exactly 11 | Team Chemistry: Min 50SQUAD 3: IF + FUT Champs Players: Min 1 | Squad Rating: Min 80 | Team Chemistry: Min 75SQUAD 4: Inter Players: Min 1 | IF + FUT Champs Players: Min 1 | Squad Rating: Min 84 | Team Chemistry: Min 70SQUAD 5: Argentina Players: Min 1 | IF + FUT Champs Players: Min 1 | Squad Rating: Min 85 | Team Chemistry: Min 65SQUAD 6: Serie A Players: Min 1 | IF + FUT Champs Players: Min 1 | Squad Rating: Min 86 | Team Chemistry: Min 60SQUAD 7: IF + FUT Champs Players: Min 1 | Squad Rating: Min 86 | Team Chemistry: Min 55

To view the cheapest solutions for all these SBCs, be sure to check out Zanetti’s Cheapest Solutions Guide here!

Price: ~425,000 - 450,000 Coins

Worth It? 

While this card may not look like the most expensive SBC, with his tradeable version being priced relatively close to the SBC, we’d advise sticking to the tradeable item for now, as you can sell him and recoup most of those coins should you wish to change your team around down the line.

 87 Edwin Van Der Sar- November 20th

Edwin Van Der Sar’s base icon card has been released into icon SBCs for a limited time!

Release Date: Friday 20th NovemberExpiry Date: Sunday 20th December

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SBC Requirements:

SQUAD 1: Bronze Rares: Exactly 11 | Team Chemistry: Min 50SQUAD 2: Silver Rares: Exactly 11 | Team Chemistry: Min 50SQUAD 3: IF + FUT Champs Players: Min 1 | Squad Rating: Min 82 | Team Chemistry: Min 75SQUAD 4: Ajax + Manchester United Players: Min 1 | IF + FUT Champs Players: Min 1 | Squad Rating: Min 84 | Team Chemistry: Min 70SQUAD 5: Netherlands Players: Min 1 | IF + FUT Champs Players: Min 1 | Squad Rating: Min 85 | Team Chemistry: Min 65SQUAD 6: Premier League Players: Min 1 | IF + FUT Champs Players: Min 1 | Squad Rating: Min 86 | Team Chemistry: Min 60

To view the cheapest solutions for all these SBCs, be sure to check out Van Der Sar’s Cheapest Solutions Guide here!

Price: ~300,000 Coins

Worth It? 

For the first set of icons, Van Der Sar’s card is possibly the best value, coming in at around a 10-20% discount on his tradeable version, at the time of release. If you’re looking for a GK for the year, and don’t have a place for a potential TOTY Neuer, then Van Der Sar is a GK to consider!

What Are Icon SBCs?

For those that are unfamiliar with what Icon SBCs are and how they worked in years past, these are Squad Building Challenge Sets that allow players to submit players into squads to obtain a specified icon.

Why these were so popular back in past FIFA titles was because it allowed the community to work towards completing high tier cards for their club over time, at a fraction of the cost of simply purchasing them on the market. This attainability is the main reason why Icon SBCs are so popular, and why we’re so excited to have them back in FIFA 21 Ultimate Team.

Icon SBC Release Dates

It has been confirmed that Icon SBCs will be introduced from late November onwards, and that any SBCs that will be released will be available long term, but not permanently. 

While this doesn’t give us a set date as to when Icon SBCs will drop, we’re expecting them to drop at some point either before the Black Friday Promotion (20th November) or towards the end of the month around Friday November 27th.

FIFA 21 Icon Swaps News & Predictions

So far, we haven’t had too much news on Icon SBCs outside of the news that was released via a big FUT Content pitch notes article towards the back end of September.

So far we know:

  • Icon SBC Release Dates (see above)
  • That Icon SBCs will not be available permanently, but still for a lengthy period of time (see above)
  • Specific versions of ICONs will only become eligible for SBC release after they’ve been released in packs for a period of time.
  • After an ICON SBC expires, it may be re-released at a later date. The challenge requirements and rewards may also be updated.
  • ICONs may be used as requirements in SBCs.

Given that Icons will only become eligible for SBC release after they’ve been released in packs for a period of time, we can begin to predict what some of the early SBCs will contain, given the announced scheduling of Icon releases throughout the year.

Base Icons: Available from launch to mid-December 2020

Mid Icons: Available from launch to mid February 2021.

Prime Icons: Available from mid-December 2020 to the end of FUT 21

Moments Icons: Available from mid-February 2021 until the end of FUT 21.

In terms of players to predict, don’t expect the highest tiers of players early on in FUT 21 through SBCs, as EA tend to keep the real heavy hitters for later in the year to keep in line with the general power curve of the game.

How To Invest And Prepare For Icon SBCs

In terms of preparation for Icon Swap Set 1, the best route to go down when it comes to investing, is to look at high rated SBC Fodder.

Icon SBC Requirements are typically on the higher end of the spectrum, requiring multiple high end squads with cards of a high rating, as well as Icons themselves, which is understandable given the quality of card that you’re obtaining when completing an Icon SBC.

It’s already confirmed that Icons may be used as requirements in SBCs, however it’s unlikely to see Icon requirements early on in the year, as the players on offer probably won’t be of the highest quality when it comes to the full icon roster.

Instead, a solid route to invest would be to look at High-Rated SBC Fodder.

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Currently in FUT 21, there hasn’t been a real need for high rated cards in SBCs, given that there haven’t been many SBCs requiring high rated squads, and the SBCs that have been released haven’t been good enough to entice a large number of players to complete them, thus keeping SBC fodder low in price for the most part.

While these cards are already beginning to get invested in, there is still a lot of room for rises in high rated cards as we get closer to Icon SBCs being released. 

Be sure to keep up to date with prices using FUTBIN’s page that shows the cheapest players per rating here!