The final week of the Team of the Year promotion has arrived in EA Sports FC 26's Ultimate Team mode, bringing with it a significant twist that could dramatically alter every player's squad composition. This year's Honourable Mentions campaign introduces a game-changing element that sets it apart from previous iterations.
Major Content Drop and Release Details
Today marks the last substantial content release for EA Sports FC 26's Team of the Year event, with numerous high-profile football stars receiving special edition cards. Following yesterday's introduction of the complete men's and women's TOTY squads into packs, players now have the opportunity to acquire enhanced versions of athletes who narrowly missed selection for the main teams.
Unlike previous promotions where such cards might have been obtainable through objectives or Squad Building Challenges, these Honourable Mentions will be exclusively available in packs. Electronic Arts has already provided in-game teasers indicating at least four such cards are forthcoming, accompanied by the 12th player TOTY selections.
Release Schedule and Timing
The new cards will become accessible at the standard content release time established by EA Sports for major promotions. Gamers can anticipate the Honourable Mentions cards appearing in-game at 6pm on Friday, January 23. This timing has remained consistent for years across EA FC titles, with only minor exceptions for new seasons and certain Player of the Month Squad Building Challenges.
Leaked Content and Player Predictions
Electronic Arts has offered subtle hints regarding what players can expect at the 6pm release. Following community voting for the 12th player cards, winners were subtly indicated through an Ultimate Team menu screen. The image displayed two 95-rated cards—slightly below the 96 rating anticipated by industry leakers—that clearly identify the recipients.
One card represents a Brazilian left midfielder at Barcelona, while the other depicts a Norwegian right winger from the club's dominant women's team. This strongly suggests leakers correctly predicted that Raphinha and Caroline Graham Hansen secured the 12th player vote victories. Each card reportedly features three Playstyle+ attributes alongside a distinctive blue and gold design scheme.
The menu screen additionally reveals four other cards with silver tinting rather than gold accents. Their nationality, club affiliation, and league details provide clear indications of their identities—these represent the four athletes who narrowly missed selection in the 12th player voting.
This hints at 92-rated Honourable Mentions cards for Harry Kane and Lamine Yamal, alongside 91-rated cards for female stars Patri Guijarro and Kadidiatou Diani. However, these six cards represent only part of the expected release this evening.
Additional Predictions and Player Ratings
Industry insiders anticipate another eight Honourable Mentions cards alongside a special Squad Building Challenge featuring two of football's most legendary figures. Below are the predicted ratings for each player expected in tonight's release:
- Goalkeeper - David Raya (Arsenal/Spain) - 88 rated
- Right Back - Denzel Dumfries (Inter/Netherlands) - 89 rated
- Centre Back - Willian Pacho (PSG/Ecuador) - 90 rated
- Centre Back - Marquinhos (PSG/Brazil) - 88 rated
- Centre Back - Marc Guehi (Man City/England) - 88 rated
- Central Attacking Midfielder - Lindsey Heaps (Lyon/USA) - 90 rated
- Left Midfielder - Luis Diaz (Bayern Munich/Colombia) - 89 rated
- Right Winger - Mohamed Salah (Liverpool/Egypt) - 92 rated
Another Honourable Mentions card anticipated for tonight features Milan star Christian Pulisic. According to leakers, the American international will be featured in a Squad Building Challenge.
The Legendary Rivalry Squad Building Challenge
An additional Squad Building Challenge expected within the coming week promises to surpass all previous offerings. Football's greatest ongoing debate could find resolution within the game as two of the sport's most iconic figures face off in a special challenge.
Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi are both projected to feature in a Squad Building Challenge that compels players to select one of the two legendary forwards. Each star is predicted to possess a 90 overall rating, and upon completion of the challenge, participants must choose one player permanently, forfeiting any opportunity to acquire the other.
While these Squad Building Challenges and ratings await official confirmation from Electronic Arts, all mentioned players have been identified by industry insiders who believe they have strong chances of inclusion. The gaming community must await the official release to verify leaker accuracy, but if predictions prove correct, this year's Team of the Year promotion will conclude with a truly transformative twist.
