EA Sports has unveiled the FC 26 Team of the Year promotion for Ultimate Team, delivering a slate of heavily upgraded cards that reflect the standout performers of the 2025/26 season. The reveal includes major names that are expected to dominate online play and squad building this year.

The headline picks include evergreen defensive rock Virgil van Dijk, explosive forward Kylian Mbappé and, once again, Claudia Pina — whose blend of pace and technical ability has made her a consistent meta favourite. Several other high-profile players were confirmed in the XI and among the substitutes, representing a mixture of established superstars and breakout talents.

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Key inclusions

  • Virgil van Dijk – retained reputation as a defensive cornerstone with elite physical and positional attributes.
  • Kylian Mbappé – expected to be one of the fastest, most direct attackers in the promo.
  • Claudia Pina – returns to the spotlight after previous strong showings, noted for pace and dribbling that make her a top pick in women’s sides and mixed squads.

EA Sports has also built free Hero upgrades into the promo. These upgrades will be distributed through a combination of objectives, Squad Building Challenges and themed rewards, allowing players to improve existing Hero cards in their club without spending on packs. The free upgrade mechanic is intended to give Ultimate Team managers a way to access stronger cards through gameplay rather than relying solely on pack openings.

The Team of the Year rollout follows EA’s established pattern of staggered releases: the starting XI and marquee cards enter packs first, followed by bench and substitute variants, with periodic refreshes and objectives tied to the promo window. Community reaction is already focused on how the new cards will reshape popular formations and transfer market values across platforms.

Further details, including exact card ratings and the full list of TOTY nominees and releases, are published by outlets covering the reveal and in EA’s official communications. Coverage of the promo and reactions from high-level Ultimate Team players and content creators is expected to continue throughout the event.

Source: VG247