FC 26 TOTY: Release Schedule, Voting, Predictions, and More
Although each EA FC title has a lifecycle of roughly one year, every installment is filled with constant content updates, live promotions, and themed events. These regular activities ensure players always have clear goals to pursue, whether that means grinding objectives, completing SBCs, or chasing elite player cards—making it difficult to ever feel bored with the game.
Among all in-game promotions, Team of the Year (TOTY) stands above the rest. It is not only the most prestigious event in Ultimate Team, but also a celebration of the footballers who delivered the most outstanding performances and captured the greatest popularity over the past calendar year.
As we move into 2026, EA FC 26 Team of the Year is almost here. Below is a complete breakdown of the expected schedule, how TOTY works, how to obtain TOTY cards, and which players are most likely to be selected.
EA FC 26 Team of the Year Overview
Team of the Year is not a short, one-week promotion. Instead, it unfolds across multiple stages and typically spans nearly an entire month, making it one of the longest and most content-rich events in FC 26.
FC 26 TOTY Voting Phase
The event is expected to begin with a voting period around January 5–7, during which players can cast votes every day. Voting is usually separated by position groups, allowing fans to vote for:
• Attackers
• Midfielders
• Defenders
• Goalkeepers
Both men’s and women’s teams will be voted on separately. This stage heavily influences the final TOTY squads, although popularity often plays a significant role alongside performance.
In-Game TOTY Release and Content
Once voting concludes, Team of the Year officially launches in-game. During this phase, EA will release:
• TOTY-themed SBCs
• Limited-time objectives
• Upgrade packs
• Store packs with TOTY eligibility
These activities allow players to stockpile rewards before the full rosters are revealed.
Expected FC 26 TOTY Schedule
While EA has not confirmed exact dates, the following timeline is widely expected based on previous years:
• Only Attackers: January 16 – January 18
• Only Midfielders: January 18 – January 20
• Only Defenders: January 20 – January 22
• Full TOTY XI: January 22 – January 30
Additional TOTY Content
• TOTY Icons 1: January 16 – January 20
• TOTY Icons 2: January 20 – January 23
• TOTY Icons XI: January 25 – January 30
• Honourable Mentions: January 23 – January 30
• Fan Favourites: January 23 – January 30
In the final week, EA will also reveal the 12th Player for both the men’s and women’s teams. These cards usually go to elite performers who narrowly missed out on the main XI.
How to Get TOTY Players in FC 26
Every selected player receives an exclusive Team of the Year card, featuring dramatically boosted ratings and elite-level attributes. In addition to standard TOTY players, EA will also release:
• TOTY Icons, highlighting legendary footballers
• Honourable Mentions, recognizing exceptional players who did not make the final XI
Ways to Obtain TOTY Cards
You can acquire TOTY items through several methods:
• Opening packs earned from SBCs and objectives
• Completing daily and weekly challenges
• Purchasing packs from the in-game store using coins or FC Points
• Trading for TOTY players on the transfer market using FC 26 coins
Importantly, TOTY cards can appear in any pack, including free packs—though the odds are extremely low.
Key TOTY Card Characteristics
• TOTY cards temporarily replace standard versions in packs
• They feature massive stat upgrades
• They cannot be evolved or upgraded further
• Their attributes remain fixed throughout the game cycle
Given their base stats, upgrades are unnecessary—TOTY cards are already among the best items available in FC 26.
Team of the Year Squad Structure
Each final TOTY squad (men’s and women’s) consists of:
• 1 Goalkeeper
• 4 Defenders
• 3 Midfielders
• 3 Attackers
Collecting even one of these cards can significantly improve your squad, while owning multiple TOTY players virtually guarantees elite-level performance in Ultimate Team.
Important tip:
If you earn packs before the final TOTY lineup is released, do not open them immediately. Pack contents are determined at the time of opening, not when the pack is earned. Waiting until TOTY players are live gives you a chance—however small—of pulling one.
FC 26 TOTY Player Predictions
While the official TOTY squads have not been confirmed, player performance and popularity over the past year provide strong indicators of who may be selected.
Predicted Goalkeepers
• Alisson Becker
• Yassine Bounou
• Diogo Costa
• Thibaut Courtois
• Michele Di Gregorio
• Gianluigi Donnarumma
• Emiliano Martínez
• Édouard Mendy
• Alex Meret
• Manuel Neuer
• Jan Oblak
Predicted Midfielders
• Jude Bellingham
• Moisés Caicedo
• Frenkie de Jong
• Bruno Fernandes
• Enzo Fernández
• Ryan Gravenberch
• Joshua Kimmich
• Alexis Mac Allister
• Scott McTominay
• Jamal Musiala
Predicted Defenders
• Pau Cubarsí
• Marc Cucurella
• Alphonso Davies
• Giovanni Di Lorenzo
• Rúben Dias
• Denzel Dumfries
• Raphaël Guerreiro
• Achraf Hakimi
• Dean Huijsen
• Ibrahima Konaté
• Kalidou Koulibaly
• Jules Koundé
• Gabriel Magalhães
Predicted Attackers
• Salem Al-Dawsari
• Bradley Barcola
• Ousmane Dembélé
• Erling Haaland
• Alexander Isak
• Harry Kane
• Khvicha Kvaratskhelia
• Robert Lewandowski
• Lautaro Martínez
• Lionel Messi
• Raphinha
• Mateo Retegui
• Cristiano Ronaldo
• Mohamed Salah
• Vinícius Júnior
• Lamine Yamal
While voting heavily influences the final squads—and popularity often outweighs pure performance—TOTY remains a celebration of the world’s most impactful footballers.
How to Prepare Right Now
At the moment, the Time Warp promotion is still active in FC 26, and TOTY is expected to begin immediately after it ends. This creates an ideal preparation window.
Recommended Preparation Strategy
• Continue playing now to earn Time Warp players
• Build a deeper club to prepare for upcoming SBC requirements
• Begin saving packs instead of opening them immediately
• Open saved packs once TOTY officially goes live
By entering the TOTY promo with a stocked club and a large pack supply, you maximize your chances of completing SBCs efficiently—and potentially packing a TOTY card.
Final Thoughts
Team of the Year is the defining Ultimate Team event of the year, and FC 26’s edition is shaping up to be just as exciting. Whether you are chasing elite cards, completing SBCs, or simply enjoying the hype surrounding the world’s best players, TOTY offers something for every type of Ultimate Team player.
We hope this FC 26 Team of the Year preview helps you plan ahead and make the most of the upcoming month in Ultimate Team.
MMOexp FC 26 Team