Build A Soccer Squad Captains Tier List
Which 99 OVR captains to chase first in Build A Soccer Squad, how hard each squad is to complete, and the smartest unlock order for new players.
The 99 OVR captains are the best cards a dedicated player can earn in Build A Soccer Squad, and they are earned, not pulled. This captains tier list ranks them by how worthwhile and how achievable each one is, so you pick the right first target instead of spreading your currency across squads you will never finish.
How captains work
When the Captains update landed, it added a powerful loop: complete the entirety of a select 2026 squad and you unlock that team’s 99 OVR captain. Because every player in the squad must be collected, the difficulty of a captain depends entirely on how expensive and how deep that team is. For the full unlock walkthrough, read how to unlock captains.
Ranking method
We rank captains on two axes:
- Value — how much the captain and the supporting squad improve your overall rating and chemistry.
- Effort — the total currency and luck needed to complete every card in that team.
The best first targets are high value and low effort. The ones to save for later are high effort even if the payoff is large.
Captains tier list
| Tier | Description | Who it’s for |
|---|---|---|
| S | Affordable squads with strong supporting cards — best value per coin | Everyone, especially first captain |
| A | Strong captains behind a moderately priced squad | Mid-game players |
| B | Excellent captains locked behind deep or expensive squads | Late-game completionists |
S tier — your first captain
Your first captain should come from a squad you can realistically finish. The cheapest route is usually a team built largely from the daily shop rather than premium legend teams. Completing it delivers two wins at once: the 99 OVR captain, and a full set of linked players that already share nation and league chemistry. That combination is the single biggest rating jump available to a new account.
A tier — strong mid-game captains
A-tier captains sit behind squads that cost more or need a few luckier rolls, but the supporting players are good enough to anchor your eleven on their own. Pursue these once your first captain is secured and your coin income is steady.
B tier — completionist captains
B-tier captains come from the deepest, most expensive squads — often the Legend teams. The captains themselves are superb, but finishing every required card takes serious time and currency. Treat these as long-term goals, not early targets.
The smartest unlock order
- Audit your collection. Find the squad you are already closest to completing.
- Commit to one. Funnel currency into finishing that single team rather than buying scattered cards.
- Use the daily shop. Buy the specific players you still need when they rotate in.
- Reroll the rest. Convert off-squad cards into more chances using the reroll and refresh guide.
- Repeat. Once one captain is unlocked, pick your next-closest squad.
Build toward your captain efficiently
A captain is only as reachable as your economy allows, so pair this tier list with the rest of the wiki:
- How to unlock captains — the full step-by-step method.
- How to get coins fast — fund your squad completion.
- Best players and the players tier list — pick strong supporting cards.
- Captains list — see which teams currently offer captains.
If you are brand new, the beginner guide explains the loop that makes captain hunting possible, and the updates hub tells you when new captains are added.
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers to the most common questions.
How do you get a captain in Build A Soccer Squad?
Captains are unlocked by completing an entire eligible 2026 squad. Once every player in that team is collected, the team's 99 OVR captain becomes available to you.
Which captain should I unlock first?
Start with the squad you already have the most progress on, or one built from cheaper daily-shop teams. Completing any captain first teaches the system and gives an instant rating boost.
Are all captains 99 OVR?
The Captains update introduced 99 OVR captains for completing select 2026 squads. They are the highest-impact cards a free player can realistically earn.
Can I unlock more than one captain?
Yes. There is no limit other than your currency and time. Each completed squad unlocks its own captain, so long-term you can collect several.