eFootball 2026 Epic National Guardians (Puyol, Chiellini, Cech) pack review

by

Konami continues to release new content for eFootball 2026, and their latest offering is the National Guardians pack. It’s interesting to see so many defensive packs being released, especially since many players are currently struggling with conceding goals – it seems like a deliberate focus.

This collection features some of football’s most legendary defenders: Carles Puyol, Giorgio Chiellini, and Petr Cech. Each player offers a distinct approach to defense, so let’s take a closer look at what makes them special.

eFootball 2026 Epic National Guardians Players

Carles Puyol

  • Position: CB
  • Playing Style: Destroyer
  • Show Time Skill: Long-reach Tackle and Fortress

I checked his custom build stats, and Puyol is a fantastic defensive player now! A personalized build is definitely the way to optimize him. Basically, this Puyol performs exactly as you’d hope – he’s an aggressive defender who challenges for every ball.

He throws himself into every challenge with intense focus, quickly regaining lost ground and shutting down opponents immediately. While his potential hasn’t always been fully realized, this card really captures what he’s capable of. His defensive stats are incredibly high – there’s no doubt about that.

Players with smaller builds, like Puyol, don’t typically have a strong long-reach tackle, but Puyol uses it effectively. While his aerial game might seem a bit weaker, I didn’t notice him losing any aerial challenges. A player build of 9-8-9-8-1 appears to be his optimal setup.

Giorgio Chiellini

  • Position: CB
  • Playing Style: Build Up
  • Show Time Skill: Aerial Fort and Long-reach Tackle

Chiellini remains composed and reliable, and this new card is a fantastic addition, benefiting from the recent speed increases. He already had good game sense, and his previous Epic version was popular, but these new special skills make this card a major improvement.

He’s built a strong player who can keep up with quick attackers, especially now that his speed has been increased. I did notice his reactions could be a little faster, but that might be due to the Build Up play style he’s using.

Combine him with a strong, assertive defender like Puyol (you’ve already included Puyol!), and you’ll create a great partnership. One player can aggressively challenge for the ball, while the other anticipates plays and provides a more measured defense. Make sure to also boost his Heading ability.

Peter Cech

  • Position: GK
  • Playing Style: Defensive Goalkeeper
  • Show Time Skill: None

Petr Čech is incredibly reliable. He doesn’t have flashy skills, but that’s not important. The game’s feature to direct defenders as a goalkeeper seems unnecessary anyway. He consistently does the core job well: he catches crosses cleanly, saves long-distance shots, and is solid in one-on-one situations.

He’s a fantastic goalkeeper with a great physique – he’s tall and well-built. His in-game stats are also excellent. However, he doesn’t perform well with a high defensive line, so it’s best to play him with a lower line. Overall, he’s one of the best goalkeepers in the game right now.

Verdict on the eFootball 2026 National Guardians players

This set of cards is really strong defensively, and I think it’s one of the most well-rounded releases we’ve seen in a while. While it might not be my absolute favorite, it definitely includes three cards that are good enough to build a deck around, offering three different ways to play.

Okay, so whether this pack is worth it really depends on my team. If I’m seriously lacking solid defenders, this is a lifesaver. But if I already have a good group of Epic-level defenders, it’s more of a fun bonus than something I *need* to get.

Pack Rating: 4 out of 5

Read More

2025-10-08 17:12