If you’ve been playing FC Mobile 2026 this season, you already know the feeling: you grind, you open packs, you hope for something useful… and then the game hands you another card that does absolutely nothing for your squad.

Pain. Premium pain.

That’s why the latest buzz around FC Mobile Star Signings is such a big deal. Shards appear to be making a comeback in FC Mobile, but this time under a new system called Star Signings, arriving around the Team of the Season window. The core idea is simple: instead of relying completely on pack luck, players should be able to earn Star Shards and use them to sign specific players they actually want.

EA’s official FC Mobile social channels teased that shards are returning with Star Signings, with three major points: players can release players to earn Star Shards, use Star Shards to sign new players of their choice, and Phase II Tokens will be phased out with an exchange option. RenderZ also reported the same key mechanics from EA’s announcement ahead of the TOTS campaign.

For players in Nigeria, South Africa, Kenya and across Africa, this could be one of the most important FC Mobile updates of the year. Not just because TOTS always brings elite cards, but because a shard-based system gives grinders a clearer path to improving their team.

And if you’re planning to prepare with FC Points or Silver, the Carry1st Shop already supports EA Sports FC Mobile top-ups, including FC Points and Silver, with local-friendly payment options and regional offers.

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What Is FC Mobile Star Signings?

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Star Signings is the new name attached to the returning shard-style system in FC Mobile.

Based on EA’s social teaser and early community reporting, the system is expected to work like this:

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Players earn Star Shards.

Players use those Star Shards to sign specific players.

Players can release unwanted cards to earn Star Shards.

Phase II Tokens are being phased out, with an exchange option expected.

The most important part is the “sign players of your choice” angle. That is the bit that has the community excited.

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In recent months, a lot of FC Mobile players have complained that progression has felt too dependent on luck. Draft-style rewards, random pack outcomes and limited control over target players can make the game feel frustrating, especially for free-to-play players or budget players who do not want to burn FC Points chasing low pack odds.

Star Signings could change that.

If the system works as teased, it means players will be able to recycle cards they do not need and move closer to cards they actually want. That is not just a rewards change. It is a squad-building change.

It gives players more agency.

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Why Shards Coming Back Matters So Much

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The old shard-style systems were popular because they gave players a visible goal.

You knew what you were grinding toward. You could count your shards. You could decide whether to claim a player now or save for someone bigger. That structure is important in a game like FC Mobile, where squad-building is not only about opening packs, but about long-term planning.

The return of shards matters for three big reasons.

First, it reduces the “casino feeling” of packs. You may still have packs, pulls and random rewards, but Star Signings creates a second path for players who want more certainty.

Second, it helps free-to-play players. If Star Shards can be earned through releases, quests, event progress and exchanges, then active players can grind toward real upgrades without needing to spend heavily.

Third, it makes squad management more strategic. Suddenly, unwanted cards are not just dead weight in your inventory. They become potential shard value.

That changes how you think about duplicates, fodder, old event players and high-rated cards you no longer use.

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How Star Shards May Work in FC Mobile

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The full in-game details may still depend on EA’s TOTS rollout, so players should treat some details as early information until the full event goes live. But based on the available reports, the likely earning routes include player releases, daily objectives, token exchanges and event progression.

Sportsdunia reports that Star Shards are expected to arrive with the TOTS event and may replace Phase II Tokens, with players earning them through Daily Events, Quests, releasing players, and potentially through store options using Gems, FC Points or real-world money.

That gives us a useful preparation framework.

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How to Earn Star Shards

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1. Releasing Players

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This is the biggest new mechanic.

The idea is that players will be able to release cards from their club or inventory and receive Star Shards in return. Higher-rated cards may offer better shard value, while lower-rated cards may be useful in bulk.

This creates a new question for every manager:

Should you sell, exchange, hold, or release?

That is where the real strategy begins.

If a card still has strong market value, selling may be smarter. If it is untradeable, outdated, or no longer useful, releasing could become the better option. But do not rush. The first few days of TOTS will likely be chaotic, and shard values may change how the market behaves.

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2. Phase II Token Exchange

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EA’s teaser says Phase II Tokens are being phased out with an exchange option, which means if you have been sitting on Phase II Tokens, do not ignore them.

When TOTS drops, check the exchange tab immediately. There may be a limited-time conversion window, and missing it would be painful.

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3. Daily Quests and Event Tasks

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If Star Shards become the main event currency for TOTS, expect daily activity to matter.

That means logging in, completing skill games, playing event matches, finishing quests and checking milestone rewards. This is where free-to-play players can compete: not through spending, but through consistency.

If you are serious about TOTS, this is not the period to casually log in once every three days and hope for the best. You want to build your shard count daily.

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4. Store and Paid Options

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Star Shards may appear through store options involving Gems, FC Points or real-world purchases, though this should be treated as expected or leaked until the full in-game format is live.

This is where players who top up FC Mobile on Carry1st may want to prepare. Not necessarily to spend blindly, but to have flexibility if a high-value pack, Star Pass, bundle or shard-related offer appears.

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What Star Signings Means for TOTS 2026

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TOTS is already one of the biggest events in FC Mobile because it celebrates the season’s best real-world performers. Every year, players expect high OVR cards, stronger squad upgrades and a major shift in the market.

With Star Signings attached to TOTS, the event becomes even more important.

Instead of only asking “what can I pack?” players can now ask “who can I work toward?”

That is a much better question.

If Star Signings includes a rotating gallery of high-rated players, then players will need to decide whether to spend shards early or save for later releases. TOTS events usually roll out in phases, often with stronger or more desirable cards appearing deeper into the campaign. If you spend all your shards too early, you may regret it when better cards arrive later.

That is why patience may be the strongest strategy.

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Should You Save or Spend Before TOTS?

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Here’s the honest answer: save first, spend carefully later.

TOTS usually resets the market mood. When higher OVR cards enter the game, older cards often lose value. Players sell current starters to fund new squads. Fodder prices can rise if exchanges are good. Some cards crash, some become useful because of requirements, and everyone starts guessing.

With Star Shards added into the mix, the market could get even more interesting.

If high-rated players can be released for shards, then 93–95+ OVR cards may become more valuable as release fodder. But if everyone panic-sells old cards before TOTS, some elite cards may drop hard.

So before April 23, the safest strategy is:

Hold your resources.

Do not over-upgrade your current squad unless the upgrade is essential.

Do not spend all your FC Points or Gems before seeing the TOTS structure.

Do not release or sell high-rated cards until you know their shard value.

Keep Phase II Tokens ready for exchange.

Stockpile useful fodder, especially high OVR cards you do not need.

This is not the time to be impulsive. This is the time to be a manager.

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Market Outlook: Will TOTS Crash Prices?

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Most likely, yes, at least for some cards.

When a major event like TOTS launches, players usually start moving coins around. Older promo cards become less exciting. Current meta cards may drop if new cards have higher OVR, better stats or better long-term value.

But Star Signings adds a twist.

If unwanted cards can be released for Star Shards, then some high-rated fodder may hold value better than expected. Players may buy cards not to use them, but to convert them into shard progress.

That means the market could split into two directions:

Elite old cards may fall as players chase TOTS upgrades.

Useful fodder cards may stay stable or rise if they help generate shards or complete exchanges.

The smart play is not to panic. Watch the first 24–48 hours of the event. Let the market reveal what players are actually doing. Then decide whether to sell, buy fodder, release cards or wait for later TOTS chapters.

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Best Preparation Strategy for African FC Mobile Players

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For African players, the Star Signings update matters because it rewards planning over pure spending.

Not every player can dump money into packs. A lot of players in Nigeria, Kenya, South Africa, Ghana and other markets are budget-conscious. You may be working with limited FC Points, limited Silver, limited coins and limited time.

That means efficiency matters.

Here is the best preparation plan:

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Save Gems and Coins

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Do not waste Gems on random packs right before TOTS. If Star Signings has strong offers, Gems may become more useful during the event.

Coins are even more important. If the market dips, you can buy better players cheaper. If fodder rises, you can sell into demand.

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Keep Your High-Rated Unused Cards

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Do not release anything yet. Do not quick-sell. Do not throw good fodder into weak exchanges.

Wait until the Star Signings system is fully live and players know the actual shard value of each OVR tier.

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Prepare FC Points and Silver Only If You Plan to Spend

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FC Points can be used for Player Packs and in-game Store items, while Silver can be used for exclusive items like Star Pass and Limited Bundles, according to EA’s FC Mobile help page.

That means FC Points and Silver may both matter during TOTS, depending on what EA puts in the Store. If you are planning to buy the Star Pass, limited bundles or event offers, topping up early can help you move quickly when the best offers appear.

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Avoid Pack Panic

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The first day of TOTS will be noisy. You’ll see screenshots. You’ll see lucky pulls. You’ll see people claiming they packed monsters from one try.

Relax.

Do not let someone else’s luck make you waste your resources. Build your plan around guaranteed value first, then use leftover resources for fun.

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Pro Tip: Don’t Release Players Until You Know Their Real Value

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The biggest mistake players could make is rushing to release every unused card the moment Star Signings goes live.

Don’t do it.

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Before releasing any high-rated card, check three things:

First, check its market value. If it sells for a strong price, coins may be better than shards.

Second, check its exchange value. Some TOTS exchanges may require specific OVR ranges, leagues, positions or event types.

Third, check its Star Shard value. If the release reward is poor, you may be wasting a card that could help elsewhere.

A good rule: only release cards that are untradeable, outdated, low-value, or clearly better as shard fuel than as market assets.

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Quick Cheat Sheet: FC Mobile Star Signings and TOTS 2026

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Should You Top Up FC Mobile Before TOTS?

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Only if you already know you want to participate heavily.

If you’re free-to-play, you can still benefit from Star Signings by grinding events, holding fodder and using token exchanges wisely.

But if you usually buy the Star Pass, limited bundles or FC Points during major events, then preparing before TOTS makes sense. The key is not just having resources, but using them when the value is highest.

The benefit is convenience. You can top up FC Mobile on Carry1st using local-friendly payment methods, and the shop supports FC Points and Silver purchases for EA Sports FC Mobile. That is especially useful for players who do not want to deal with international card issues, app store pricing frustration or last-minute payment stress when the TOTS event goes live.

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Final Verdict: Star Signings Could Be a Big Win for FC Mobile Players

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The return of shards through FC Mobile Star Signings could be one of the most player-friendly changes of the TOTS 2026 cycle.

It gives free-to-play grinders a clearer path. It gives budget players more control. It gives competitive players a new resource-management layer. And most importantly, it pushes FC Mobile away from pure pack luck and back toward planned squad building.

But the smartest players will not rush.

They will save. They will wait for the full TOTS structure. They will compare market prices, shard values, and exchange requirements. Then they will move.

So here’s the play: keep your Phase II Tokens, hold your high-rated fodder, save your coins, avoid panic spending, and prepare your FC Points or Silver only if you know you’ll use them strategically.

And when TOTS drops, check the Carry1st Shop for FC Mobile top-ups so you can buy FC Points or Silver without the usual payment drama.

Star Signings may be bringing shards back, but the real winners will be the managers who plan before they pull.