FC 26: How To Master TOTY Honourable Mentions in Ultimate Team

The Team of the Year (TOTY) promo is always the crown jewel of the Ultimate Team calendar, showcasing the very best players in world football with game-breaking upgrades. But in FC 26, the spotlight doesn't stop with the starting XI. The TOTY Honourable Mentions have officially arrived in FUT, and for many players, these cards are where the real value, flexibility, and squad-building creativity live.

Live now in Ultimate Team, TOTY Honourable Mentions celebrate elite performers who narrowly missed the final Team of the Year squad-but still receive massive stat boosts that can completely reshape your team.

What Are TOTY Honourable Mentions

TOTY Honourable Mentions are special upgraded cards given to players who had an exceptional year but didn't quite make the official TOTY XI. While they don't reach the extreme stat levels of full TOTY cards, they are far stronger than standard golds or most promos.

Key features of Honourable Mentions cards include:

Significant overall rating boosts

Strong pace, dribbling, and physical upgrades

Enhanced playstyles or traits compared to base versions

More accessible price points than full TOTYs

In FC 26, these cards are designed to bridge the gap between elite meta options and attainable upgrades for the broader FUT community.

Why Honourable Mentions Matter in FC 26

For most players, packing or affording a full TOTY is unlikely. Honourable Mentions solve that problem by offering:

Top-tier performance without top-tier prices

Viable options for Weekend League and Rivals

Strong chemistry links across major leagues and nations

They also arrive at a perfect time in the power curve. Many squads are transitioning from early- and mid-cycle builds into endgame-ready teams, and Honourable Mentions fit seamlessly into that evolution.

Attacking Standouts: Goals, Pace, and Playmaking

Several Honourable Mentions shine brightest in attack, offering elite movement, shooting, and creativity.

Elite Strikers and Forwards

These cards excel due to:

High attacking positioning

Reliable finishing inside the box

Improved pace to beat defensive lines

They are perfect for counter-attacking systems or high-press formations where quick transitions are key. While they may lack the absolute maxed-out shooting of full TOTYs, their consistency makes them deadly across multiple game modes.

Creative Midfield Attackers

Honourable Mentions attackers also thrive as CAMs or second strikers:

Strong dribbling for tight spaces

Improved passing for chance creation

Solid stamina to last the full 90 minutes

These players are ideal if you want flair without sacrificing structure.

Midfield Engines: Balance Wins Matches

One of the strongest areas of the Honourable Mentions squad is midfield. These cards often provide the perfect mix of:

Defensive awareness

Ball control under pressure

Passing range for buildup play

Box-to-Box Dominance

Many Honourable Mentions midfielders are excellent box-to-box options:

High stamina for constant movement

Solid tackling and interceptions

Enough attacking stats to contribute goals

They shine in formations like 4-3-3, 4-1-2-1-2, and 4-2-3-1, where midfield control decides games.

Defensive Stability

For players who prefer structure, Honourable Mentions defensive mids offer:

Strong physical presence

Reliable interceptions

Good enough passing to avoid turnovers

They're especially valuable in Weekend League, where composure and positioning often matter more than flashy stats.

Defensive Honourable Mentions: Underrated and Essential

Defenders rarely get the same hype as attackers, but TOTY Honourable Mentions defenders are some of the best value cards in FC 26.

Centre-Backs You Can Trust

Honourable Mentions CBs typically feature:

Improved pace to keep up with meta attackers

High defensive awareness

Strong physical stats for shoulder-to-shoulder battles

These cards work beautifully in both high-line pressing systems and deeper defensive blocks.

Full-Back Flexibility

Full-backs in the Honourable Mentions squad often shine due to:

Excellent stamina

Balanced attacking and defensive stats

Versatility to play wide midfield or wing-back roles

They're perfect for overlapping runs, inverted full-back tactics, or defensive stability against pace-heavy wingers.

Goalkeepers: Quiet Game-Changers

While goalkeepers rarely dominate promo discussions, Honourable Mentions keepers are quietly impactful.

What sets them apart:

Improved reflexes and positioning

Better handling under pressure

Strong performance in one-on-one situations

If you're tired of inconsistent saves from gold keepers, an Honourable Mentions GK can noticeably stabilize your defense-especially in tight Weekend League matches.

Chemistry and Squad-Building Value

One of the biggest strengths of TOTY Honourable Mentions is chemistry flexibility.

These cards:

Link easily with popular leagues and nations

Fit hybrid squads without forcing compromises

Work well with Icons and Heroes

This makes them perfect for players who enjoy experimenting with new formations or rotating squads across different modes.

Pack Strategy: How to Chase Honourable Mentions

Since Honourable Mentions are live in packs, timing and strategy matter.

Best Ways to Pack Them

Save high-value packs for TOTY weeks

Focus on upgrade SBCs during the promo

Complete repeatable league or premium upgrades

Because Honourable Mentions have higher pack weight than full TOTYs, they are realistic pulls, especially from 83+ and 84+ packs.

SBCs and Market Opportunities

Honourable Mentions also influence the FUT market:

SBC requirements spike demand for fodder

Prices fluctuate heavily during promo drops

Smart buying and selling can fund upgrades

If you're not packing these cards, trading around the promo can still help you afford them.

How to Use Honourable Mentions In-Game

To get the most out of these cards:

Apply chemistry styles that boost their strongest traits

Build tactics around their strengths (pace, stamina, passing)

Use them as anchors in hybrid squads

They are strong enough to start and flexible enough to rotate, making them ideal long-term investments.

Honourable Mentions vs Full TOTY: The Honest Comparison

While full TOTYs remain the absolute peak, Honourable Mentions offer:

80-90% of the performance

A fraction of the cost

More realistic accessibility

For most players, that trade-off is more than worth it.

Final Thoughts: The Real Heroes of TOTY

TOTY Honourable Mentions in FC 26 represent the perfect balance between elite performance and attainable upgrades. They celebrate top-tier players who may have missed the final XI but still deserve recognition-and in Ultimate Team, recognition means dominance on the pitch. This is the annual highest rating. Spend FC 26 Coins and energy to cultivate the players that suit you, enhance your formation, and win more matches!

Whether you're upgrading your Weekend League squad, building a new hybrid, or just enjoying the thrill of the TOTY promo, Honourable Mentions deliver massive value, strong gameplay impact, and long-term usability.

They may sit just outside the TOTY XI-but in FUT, they're right at the heart of winning teams.

MMOexp FC 26 Team