The Team of the Year spectacle in EA Sports FC 26 has drawn to a close, yet its impact will be felt in every Ultimate Team squad well into the 2027 cycle. For a fortnight in January 2026, millions of players cast their votes for the men and women who defined the previous 12 months of football. When the final whistle blew on the promo, three athletes had risen to an astronomical 97 overall rating, an entire squad of modern legends had been immortalized as TOTY Icons, and a deep pool of Honourable Mentions had expanded the meta in countless positions.
The official reveal began on Friday, January 16, with the attackers. Midfielders followed two days later, defenders and goalkeepers on January 20, and the full lineup hit packs on January 22. True to tradition, a 12th Man and 12th Woman were introduced on January 23 to cap the promotion. This staggered release built an enormous wave of anticipation. The three headliners—Ousmane Dembélé of Paris Saint-Germain, Aitana Bonmatí of Barcelona, and Alessia Russo of Arsenal—each received a 97-rated item that instantly became the most coveted card in the game. Their presence on the virtual pitch redefined what was possible in attack, midfield, and the front line.
While the main TOTY roster contained 22 of the most dominant performers, the Honourable Mentions collection acknowledged players who fell just short of the fan-voted XI. The first of these to arrive was Chelsea left-back Marc Cucurella, boosted to an 88 overall via a set of objective tasks that demanded a blend of Spanish talent, Premier League contributions, and consistent wins. A week later, the full HM drop flooded the market with depth. Household names such as Harry Kane (92), Lamine Yamal (92), Mohamed Salah (92), Lautaro Martínez (91), and Rose Lavelle (91) headlined the release. Even the eternal rivals Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo found themselves included, each at 90 overall and still capable of producing moments of nostalgia-driven brilliance.
The sheer variety of HMs—from defensive anchors like Gabriel (90) and Willian Pacho (90) to creative sparks like Christian Pulisic (90) and Michael Olise (90)—meant that every style of squad building could benefit. Liverpool supporters celebrated upgrades for Salah and Ryan Gravenberch (90), while Bayern Munich fans had reasons to rejoice with Kane, Olise, and Luis Díaz (89) all receiving special cards. The balance between high-rated metas and fan-favorite underdogs gave the TOTY window a sense of inclusivity rarely seen in Ultimate Team.
Parallel to the contemporary cards, EA Sports released two batches of TOTY Icons that bridged generations. Zlatan Ibrahimović led the first wave with a majestic 95-rated striker card, embodying the confidence and flair that made him a cult hero. Defensive royalty Paolo Maldini (94) and Lev Yashin (93) provided impenetrable foundations, while Ruud Gullit (93) and Jairzinho (94) offered versatility and flair. The second wave introduced U.S. legend Alex Morgan (93), Brazilian full-back Marcelo (92), and English icon Wayne Rooney (92), among others. Having these legendary figures as part of the TOTY ecosystem meant that even players who started FC 26 late could quickly assemble a hybrid squad blending past and present greatness.
The primary men’s and women’s TOTY lineups themselves read like a dream selection of current talent. In goal, Gianluigi Donnarumma (95) and Christine Endler (94) anchored two formidable back lines. Defensive walls were built around Virgil van Dijk (95), Millie Bright (94), and William Saliba (94). The midfield was a symphony of control and vision, with Pedri (95), Declan Rice (94), and Alexia Putellas (95) dictating tempo. On the flanks and up top, the game-breaking speed of Kylian Mbappé (96), the clinical finishing of Erling Haaland (96), and the electric presence of Caroline Graham Hansen (95) kept opponents on high alert at all times. The 12th Man and 12th Woman choices—Raphinha and Graham Hansen—added even more depth to an already outstanding roster.
Even though the TOTY promo events have concluded, these cards remain the benchmark for competitive play heading into the back half of FC 26’s life cycle. Their boosted stats, custom animations, and perfect links to other meta cards ensure they appear in the vast majority of Squad Battles, Rivals, and FUT Champions lineups. For the everyday player, the opportunity to pack or grind for a TOTY item represented a season-defining moment. For the market, the promo injected volatility and excitement that reshaped coin values and squad planning for months. As the football calendar rolls on and the community begins to speculate about FC 27, the TOTY class of 2026 will be remembered as one of the most balanced, star-studded, and accessible collections EA Sports has ever assembled.