Ultimate Team’s biggest event of the year is here. EA FC26’s Team of the Year (TOTY) drops January 16, 2026, bringing dream squads of football’s elite performers with game-breaking stats that’ll dominate your lineup for months. Voting closed January 12, and now it’s time to discover who made the final XI.
Table of Contents
EA FC26 TOTY Release Schedule
| Release Phase | Date | Content |
|---|---|---|
| TOTY Attackers + Icons Team 1 | January 16, 2026 (6 PM BST) | First wave in packs |
| TOTY Midfielders | January 18, 2026 | Midfield selections released |
| TOTY Defenders/GK + Icons Team 2 | January 20, 2026 | Complete starting XI available |
| Honourable Mentions | Late January 2026 | Runner-up players with boosted cards |
| 12th Man Vote | Final week of January | Community picks bonus TOTY player |
Predicted TOTY Winners: Men’s Squad
Based on community voting trends and real-world performance, here are the likely selections:
Goalkeeper: Gianluigi Donnarumma (PSG) – His Champions League heroics, particularly against Arsenal, positioned him as the frontrunner among nominees including David Raya, Thibaut Courtois, and Alisson Becker.
Defenders: Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool), Marquinhos (PSG), Nuno Mendes (PSG), Micky van de Ven (Tottenham) – Liverpool’s Premier League triumph and PSG’s European dominance heavily influenced defensive selections.
Midfielders: Lamine Yamal (Barcelona), Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid), either Raphinha (Barcelona) or Mohamed Salah (Liverpool) – The midfielder category included wide players this year, creating intense competition.
Attackers: Kylian Mbappé (Real Madrid), Ousmane Dembélé (PSG), Erling Haaland (Manchester City) – Though Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo appeared on the ballot, younger stars dominated voting.
Women’s TOTY Predictions
Goalkeeper: Hannah Hampton (Chelsea) – England’s Euro 2025 hero edges out Brighton’s Chiamaka Nnadozie.
Defenders: Leah Williamson (Arsenal), Millie Bright (Chelsea), Lucy Bronze (Chelsea), Olga Carmona (PSG)
Midfielders: Aitana Bonmatí (Barcelona), Alexia Putellas (Barcelona), Patri Guijarro (Barcelona) – Barcelona’s dominance suggests a potential clean sweep of midfield slots.
Attackers: Caroline Graham Hansen (Barcelona), Claudia Pina (Barcelona), Alessia Russo (Arsenal)
TOTY Icons Making a Comeback
According to leaked information, three legendary TOTY Icons join the celebration: Zlatan Ibrahimović receives an upgraded card beyond his standard icon version, Brazilian legend Jairzinho gets TOTY treatment, and defensive great Lilian Thuram earns recognition. All TOTY Icons are expected to carry ratings between 93-95 overall.
New Captain Awards
EA introduced a groundbreaking Captain award this year, recognizing one standout leader from both men’s and women’s selections. These Captain cards receive additional in-game buffs beyond standard TOTY upgrades, making them the most desirable pulls of the entire event.
How to Get TOTY Players
The official EA Sports FC website confirms three acquisition methods: opening packs during the limited release window (though pack odds remain extremely low), purchasing from the transfer market (expect inflated prices during peak hype), or completing themed Squad Building Challenges throughout the month.
Pro tip: Avoid buying TOTY cards immediately when released—prices typically drop after the initial frenzy settles. Players who saved packs from previous gameplay have better odds during the staggered release phases.
For more Ultimate Team strategies and player reviews, explore our complete EA FC 26 guides at TechnoSports.
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FAQs
When does EA FC26 TOTY voting end?
Voting closed January 12, 2026 at 5:59 PM GMT. Final squads were determined through combined community votes and EA Sports selection criteria.
Will TOTY cards crash the transfer market?
Yes, temporarily. When TOTY releases, regular gold card prices typically drop 20-40% as players liquidate assets attempting to afford TOTY items or open packs.
