10 best ball-playing defenders in EA FC 26 (Ranked)

The best ball-playing defenders in EA FC 26 provide reliability at the back while delivering deadly passes to quickly launch attacking transitions. Featuring stars like Virgil van Dijk, Mapi Leon, Leah Williamson, and more, these players excel in four-back systems and can be trusted to bolster your defense and build play from the back.

In this article, we’ll discuss the best ball-playing defenders in EA FC 26 to help you find the ideal partner for your stoppers in the game. Read on to discover who made the cut!

### Virgil van Dijk and the Best Ball-Playing Defenders in EA FC 26

All players listed here have the Ball-Playing Defender++ role. Their ranking is based primarily on their overall ratings.

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### 10) Ruben Dias | OVR: 86
Ruben Dias is a pillar of assurance in both the Portugal national team and Manchester City’s defensive line. The 86-rated defender has a passing rating of 69, featuring 81 in short passes and 79 in long passes. Defensively, he impresses with an 86 rating in defense and interceptions and a solid 87 in defensive awareness.

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### 9) Millie Bright | OVR: 87
Chelsea women’s star Millie Bright is one of the few versatile players excelling both as a stopper and ball-playing defender. With an 87 overall, she has a decent 70 passing rating, including 86 in both short and long passes. Defensively, she boasts an 87 rating, 82 in interceptions, and an outstanding 91 in defensive awareness.

*Also read: [Best Stoppers in EA FC 26]*

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### 8) William Saliba | OVR: 87
French center-back William Saliba is a key asset for Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal. He holds an overall 87 rating, with 87 in defense, 86 in interceptions, and 88 in defensive awareness. While his overall passing is 68, Saliba delivers 80 in short passes and a respectable 77 in long passes, showing his growing comfort on the ball.

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### 7) Jules Kounde | OVR: 87
Barcelona’s versatile right-back Jules Kounde ranks among the best right-backs in EA FC 26. He offers a passing rating of 74 and 79 in dribbling. His wide passing range includes 82 in short passes and 75 in long passes. Defensively, Kounde has an 86 rating in defense and interceptions and 87 in defensive awareness.

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### 6) Marquinhos | OVR: 87
Brazilian defender Marquinhos combines defensive solidity with composure on the ball. His passing rating stands at 75, featuring 84 in short passes and 85 in long passes. Defensively, Marquinhos excels with an impressive 89 in defense and 90 in defensive awareness, cementing his status as one of the best center-backs in the game.

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### 5) Alessandro Bastoni | OVR: 87
Italian center-back Alessandro Bastoni was a key figure in Inter Milan’s recent Scudetto triumph. He boasts an 88 rating in both defense and interceptions, complemented by strong passing stats—82 in short passes and 84 in long passes. Bastoni also carries an 87 rating in defensive awareness, making him a top-tier ball-playing defender.

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### 4) Leah Williamson | OVR: 87
English defender Leah Williamson shines not only as a ball-playing center-back but also as a defensive midfielder. With an 87 overall rating, she boasts 88 in defense, 86 in interceptions, and a remarkable 90 in defensive awareness. Her passing stats are impressive, with 73 overall, 83 in short passing, and 86 in long passing, setting her apart from the pack.

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### 3) Irene Paredes Hernandez | OVR: 88
Barcelona women’s defender Irene Paredes holds an 88 overall rating and is the third-best ball-playing defender on this list. Although she has a low overall passing stat of 67, she shines with an 83 rating in short passing. Defensively, Paredes is solid with 88 in both defense and interceptions, and a stellar 91 in defensive awareness.

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### 2) Mapi Leon | OVR: 89
Mapi Leon is the second-best ball-playing defender in EA FC 26 with an 89 overall rating. She boasts a decent 79 passing rating, excelling with 85 in short passes and 84 in long passes. Defensively, Leon is outstanding, with 90 in defense, 90 in interceptions, and 91 in defensive awareness.

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### 1) Virgil van Dijk | OVR: 90
Topping the list is Liverpool’s star Dutch defender Virgil van Dijk. Van Dijk has a passing rating of 72, with 80 in short passing and 83 in long passing. His defensive stats are equally impressive—90 in defense, 91 in interceptions, and 91 in defensive awareness. He is undoubtedly one of the best ball-playing defenders to anchor your back four.

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### Honorable Mentions
Players like Gabriel Magalhaes, Ibrahim Konate, Jonathan Tah, and Inigo Martinez are some of the best non-Icon ball-playing defenders you can consider in EA FC 26, offering solid defensive qualities alongside decent ball-playing abilities.

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Whether you prefer defensive solidity, passing prowess, or a mix of both, the ball-playing defenders listed above provide excellent options to strengthen your EA FC 26 squad. Choose wisely to build a defense that not only thwarts attacks but also initiates your team’s offensive plays with confidence.
https://www.sportskeeda.com/esports/10-best-ball-playing-defenders-ea-fc-26-ranked

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