The controller slipped in my sweaty hands as the pack animation played out. National flag… French. Okay, striker… Please be him. The rush of finally seeing that coveted Mbappe TOTY card appear felt like winning the lottery, and this year, the stakes are even higher with the inclusion of the Women’s Team of the Year.
Mark Your Calendars: When Does EA FC 26 TOTY Kick Off?
Every January, the same question buzzes around the community: When does Team of the Year drop? The wait is almost over. Circle Friday, January 16 on your calendars. At the usual time of 6 PM BST, expect the floodgates to open. This event isn’t a sprint; it’s a marathon, dominating Ultimate Team for a full two weeks. Unlike other promos that stick to Friday releases, keep your eyes peeled. New player drops will happen throughout the week, building up to the grand finale when the complete TOTY squads become available.
Decoding the TOTY Hype: What’s the Big Deal?
Think of TOTY as football’s equivalent of the Oscars, but instead of films, it celebrates the beautiful game’s brightest stars. The community votes, EA tallies, and the highest-rated nominees form the prestigious Team of the Year. These aren’t just any cards; these are juiced-up, meta-defining monsters that can transform your Ultimate Team from contender to champion. The selected players get a massive ratings boost and released in staggered batches, creating a frenzy in the pack market. To stay on top of the release schedule, you’ll want to keep a close eye on the drops.
Beyond the main event, expect the usual bells and whistles. Keep your eyes peeled for a must-do TOTY Icon Squad Building Challenge (SBC), Evolution opportunities to level up your players, daily objectives to grind through, and of course, a barrage of tempting packs designed to drain your hard-earned coins (or FC Points). There’s even whispers that Icon Swaps might be making a return.
Will Icon Swaps be part of the EA FC 26 TOTY event?
While not officially confirmed, the rumor mill suggests Icon Swaps could be making a comeback during the TOTY event. For those unfamiliar, Icon Swaps offer a way to earn high-value Icon cards by completing in-game objectives. If the rumors are true, this offers a great pathway to improve your squad.
Meet the Elite: The FC 26 TOTY Squads Revealed
The wait is over. The official FC 26 TOTY squads are here, showcasing the best of the best from both the men’s and women’s sides of the sport. Without further ado, let’s meet the teams:
Men’s TOTY
- Goalkeeper: Gianluigi Donnarumma (Manchester City)
- Defenders: Jules Kounde (Barcelona), Virgil Van Dijk (Liverpool), William Saliba (Arsenal), Nuno Mendes (PSG)
- Midfielders: Declan Rice (Arsenal), Vitinha (PSG), Pedri (Barcelona)
- Forwards: Kylian Mbappe (Real Madrid), Erling Haaland (Manchester City), Ousmane Dembele (PSG)
Women’s TOTY
- Goalkeeper: Christine Endler (OL Lyon)
- Defenders: Lucy Bronze (Chelsea), Millie Bright (Chelsea), Leah Williamson (Arsenal), Selma Bacha (OL Lyon)
- Midfielders: Mariona Caldentey (Arsenal), Aitana Bonmati (Barcelona), Alexia Putellas (Barcelona)
- Forwards: Claudia Pina (Barcelona), Ewa Pajor (Barcelona), Alessia Russo (Arsenal)
Who are the EA FC 26 TOTY Captains?
Leading their respective squads are two exceptional players: Kylian Mbappe captains the Men’s TOTY, bringing his electric pace and lethal finishing to the virtual pitch. On the women’s side, Lucy Bronze takes the armband, anchoring the defense with her strength and experience. These two players represent the pinnacle of their sport, and their leadership will be invaluable to any Ultimate Team.
The TOTY event is a whirlwind of pack openings, squad building, and nail-biting matches. It’s a time when fortunes are made (and lost) on the virtual pitch. The cards are digital, but the emotions are real.
Is this Team of the Year release the most exciting content drop we’ve seen yet?