EA FC 26 TOTY Icons Leaks & Upgrade Guide for Ultimate Team

• What are EA FC 26 TOTY Icons?
• Leaked EA FC 26 TOTY Icons (Team 1)
• TOTY Icons upgrades explained
• Are TOTY Icons dynamic items?
• TOTY Icons schedule & how many Icons we get
• How to get TOTY Icons in EA FC 26 Ultimate Team
• Using ItemD2R to prepare your club for TOTY Icons
• Practical tips & FAQs for TOTY Icons hunters

What are EA FC 26 TOTY Icons?

Team of the Year (TOTY) is traditionally one of the biggest promos of the EA Sports FC cycle, and TOTY Icons have become a central part of that event since their introduction in FIFA 23. For EA FC 26, we can once again expect a dedicated selection of legendary players receiving special TOTY Icon items that go beyond their regular Icon versions.

TOTY Icons combine three key advantages:

• Higher overall rating compared to their base Icon cards
• Upgraded key attributes such as Pace, Shooting, Passing, Dribbling, Defending and Physical
• Boosted chemistry thanks to the usual Icon chemistry perks, making them easy to link into any squad

In EA FC 26 Ultimate Team, these cards are expected to be among the strongest options in the entire game, not only because of their stats but also because some of them can carry up to two PlayStyles+, which significantly changes how they feel on the pitch.

Leaked EA FC 26 TOTY Icons (Team 1)

As voting for the main TOTY squad continues, reliable dataminers in the EA FC community have already started to uncover leaked EA FC 26 TOTY Icons. None of this information is officially confirmed by EA yet, so ratings, positions and even the final list of Icons could still change. However, the leakers involved are usually accurate, so these names are worth keeping on your radar.

Zlatan Ibrahimović (Sweden)

Zlatan looks set to be one of the headline cards of TOTY Icons Team 1. His reported TOTY Icon item could reach an overall rating around the 93 OVR mark, upgrading on his already powerful base Icon striker card.

Expected key upgrades and traits:

• High Shooting and Physical to dominate in the box
• 5★ Skill Moves with potentially upgraded Weak Foot
• PlayStyles+ focused on Power Shot and aerial dominance

In gameplay terms, this version of Ibrahimović should be an elite target man: strong, tall, technical and deadly from distance.

Jairzinho (Brazil)

Jairzinho has been a fan favourite in previous EA FC and FIFA titles, and his leaked TOTY Icon in FC 26 looks like a perfect fit for the meta. His overall might reach around 91 OVR, again improving on his base Icon version.

What to expect from TOTY Jairzinho:

• Top-tier Pace and Dribbling for wide or central attacking roles
• 5★ Skill Moves and potentially an upgraded Weak Foot rating
• PlayStyles and PlayStyles+ like Finesse shots, Powerful Strikes, Flair and Rapid dribbling

This card should feel extremely responsive and versatile, capable of playing right wing, second striker or even as a central forward in narrow formations.

Lilian Thuram (France)

Defensive Icons often fly under the radar, but TOTY Lilian Thuram is shaping up to be one of the most complete defensive cards in FC 26 Ultimate Team. The leaked rating is around 91 OVR, significantly improving his base Icon.

Expected features of TOTY Thuram:

• Huge boosts to Defending and Physical stats, making him dominant in duels
• Right-back and centre-back eligibility, giving him excellent squad flexibility
• Defensive PlayStyles+ such as Jockey, Block, Anticipation and Aerial presence

If the leaks are accurate, Thuram will be a premium option for players seeking a rock-solid backline in any formation.

Keep in mind that more names are expected to join these three in Team 1 and Team 2. We will likely see a mix of strikers, midfielders, defenders and a goalkeeper to mirror the overall TOTY structure.

TOTY Icons upgrades in EA FC 26 explained

TOTY Icons in EA FC 26 receive a one-time initial upgrade at release. This upgrade works similarly to in-form (IF) upgrades from Team of the Week, but with some additional flexibility because Icons already start from very high base ratings.

Here is how the upgrade logic typically works:

• Attribute increases: One or several main attributes (Pace, Shooting, Passing, Dribbling, Defending, Physical) get boosted. This boost then results in a higher overall (OVR) rating.
• Upgrade size: Because Icons are already strong, the total upgrade is usually in the range of +1 to +3 OVR, but with carefully targeted stat increases.
• PlayStyles and PlayStyles+: TOTY Icons can receive new PlayStyles and, most importantly, are among the few cards in the game that can feature two PlayStyles+ at once. This makes them stand out even among other special cards.
• Skill Moves (SM) & Weak Foot (WF): Some TOTY Icon items will receive additional stars for Skill Moves and/or Weak Foot, massively improving their usability in competitive gameplay.
• Position changes: In certain cases, the position layout can be adjusted to better reflect the player’s historical roles and to fit the current meta formations.

The end result is that a TOTY Icon is almost always the best version of that particular legend for the majority of the EA FC 26 life cycle.

Are TOTY Icons dynamic items?

Despite their special status, TOTY Icons in EA FC 26 are not dynamic items. That means:

• They receive one fixed upgrade at the moment they are released in packs or as SBCs.
• After that, they do not upgrade any further, regardless of real-world performances, additional promos or live events.

This is important for squad planning. When you invest coins or time into completing an SBC for a TOTY Icon, you know exactly what you are getting. There is no risk of the card staying at a low rating, but also no chance of it exploding to even higher levels later in the season.

Given how strong the initial upgrades are, TOTY Icons are end-game level cards in many positions. For most teams, they will remain viable well into the later competitive seasons.

TOTY Icons schedule & how many Icons we get

While EA can still adjust exact dates, the TOTY Icons structure has become relatively predictable over the last years. Based on previous cycles and the leaked FC 26 information, the content plan should look roughly as follows.

How many TOTY Icons will there be?

You can usually expect 12 TOTY Icons in total, mirroring the structure of the final Team of the Year squad. These are generally split into:

• 10 Icons released in packs as part of Team 1 and Team 2
• 2 Icons released via SBCs or Objectives only

The positional distribution typically follows a loose 3-3-4-1 structure:

• 3 attackers
• 3 midfielders
• 4 defenders
• 1 goalkeeper
• Plus one “wildcard” slot, often used for another forward

Expected release windows for TOTY Icons in FC 26

Based on the usual TOTY event flow, here is what players can expect in terms of timing (exact dates may vary slightly depending on EA’s final schedule):

• Mid-January 2026: TOTY Icons Team 1 released, usually alongside the TOTY attackers. These cards are available in packs for around four days.
• Shortly after Team 1 expires: TOTY Icons Team 2 enters packs for about three days, coinciding with the full TOTY squad becoming available.
• Final week of the TOTY event: All TOTY Icons from Team 1 and Team 2 are typically available together in packs for a limited time before the promo ends.

On top of that, two special TOTY Icons are expected as Squad Building Challenges or Objective rewards, available for a limited window during the TOTY campaign.

How to get TOTY Icons in EA FC 26 Ultimate Team

There are three main ways to obtain TOTY Icons in EA FC 26 Ultimate Team: packs, SBCs/Objectives, and the transfer market.

1. Packs

Most TOTY Icons (usually 10 of the 12) are available in packs during specific windows of the TOTY event. When a TOTY Icon is in packs:

• It replaces the regular Icon version of that player in all packs that can contain players.
• It can be pulled from any pack that includes player items, whether bought with FIFA Points, coins, earned from Objectives, or rewarded from SBCs and Rivals/Champions rewards.
• Packs with a higher total number of players statistically offer a better chance of including a TOTY Icon just because they show more cards overall.

During the final stretch of TOTY, all TOTY Icons are usually available in packs together, significantly increasing the number of possible high-end pulls.

2. SBCs and Objectives

Two TOTY Icons are typically obtainable only through in-game challenges:

• Squad Building Challenges (SBCs): You submit squads built from your club (or bought from the market) according to certain rating, chemistry and league/nation requirements.
• Objectives: You complete gameplay-related tasks (wins, goals, assists with specific requirements) in modes like Champions, Rivals or Friendlies.

These untradeable Icons can be an excellent way to add a TOTY-level card to your team without spending coins on the transfer market, though the real cost still depends heavily on fodder prices and the state of the economy.

3. Transfer market

Any TOTY Icon that is obtained from a tradable pack can be listed on the transfer market. Prices for these cards are usually extremely high during the first days of their release and then adjust gradually based on supply, demand, and the general coin inflation in the game.

If you plan to buy one of these legends, you will need a substantial coin balance and good timing. This is where efficient trading or reliable external coin sources can make a real difference in how quickly you reach your dream squad.

Using ItemD2R to prepare your club for TOTY Icons

The TOTY period is one of the most intense times in the EA FC 26 economy. Card prices spike, pack openings explode, and the competition in Champs becomes tougher than ever. If you want to seriously compete for TOTY Icons on the transfer market or complete expensive SBCs, you need a strong coin foundation.

This is where specialized game service platforms come into play. Instead of relying only on slow coin grinding or risky trading, many players look for a controlled, fast and security-minded way to increase their balance before major promos.

On ItemD2R, you can find fc 26 coins for sale from a provider that focuses on fast delivery and anti-ban precautions. A bigger coin budget during TOTY allows you to:

• Bid aggressively on TOTY Icons and meta cards as soon as they hit the market
• Stock up on high-rated fodder for upcoming SBCs
• Experiment with different squads and formations without selling half your club

If you have unneeded assets or want to rotate your investment between games, ItemD2R also offers the option to sell ea fc 26 coins securely, turning your in-game efforts into value you can redirect to other titles or future content. As always, you should follow EA’s terms of service and understood risk levels, but established third-party platforms structure their delivery methods to minimise detection and provide clear guidance for buyers and sellers.

For competitive players, a service like ItemD2R is less about skipping gameplay and more about time efficiency: instead of spending weeks trading low-margin items or grinding repetitive modes, you can focus on actual matches, tactics and skill improvement while still having a squad that can keep up during TOTY and beyond.

Practical tips & FAQs for TOTY Icons hunters

1. Plan your coins and packs before TOTY starts

Don’t wait until TOTY is live to think about your strategy. In the weeks before the event:

• Decide whether you want to focus on pack saving, market trading, or a combination of both.
• Keep high-value fodder items instead of quick-selling, as SBC demand spikes during TOTY.
• Set a realistic target: Are you aiming for a specific TOTY Icon or just trying to maximise your overall club value?

2. Understand market volatility during TOTY

The market during TOTY is extremely volatile:

• Some cards crash in value as packs are opened.
• Others, like rare Icons and low-supply specials, may even rise as demand increases.
• TOTY Icons generally start very expensive and may slowly drop as more are packed, but truly elite cards with low supply often remain premium-priced all year.

Give yourself a coin buffer so you can buy at the right moment instead of being forced to sell your club during a temporary crash.

3. Build around PlayStyles and chemistry, not just rating

TOTY Icons look stunning on paper, but ratings alone don’t win matches. When considering a TOTY Icon:

• Check the PlayStyles+ they offer and whether they complement your preferred playstyle (e.g., Power Shot for long shots, Rapid for dribblers, Intercept for defenders).
• Make use of their Icon chemistry to unlock more flexible hybrid squads.
• Ensure the rest of your team can support that Icon’s strengths (pace on the wings, defensive cover behind high-attacking full-backs, etc.).

4. Quick FAQ

Q: Can TOTY Icons receive further upgrades later in the year?
A: No. TOTY Icons in EA FC 26 are not dynamic. They receive a single, fixed upgrade at release and remain at that rating.

Q: Do TOTY Icons replace base Icons in packs?
A: Yes, for the duration of their release window, the TOTY Icon version replaces the regular Icon version of the same player in all packs.

Q: Are TOTY Icons always better than regular Icons and other promos?
A: In most cases, yes. They usually represent the strongest or near-strongest version of that legend, with elite stats, PlayStyles+ and chemistry boosts.

Q: Are they worth the investment?
A: If you value top-tier performance, long-term usability and enjoy playing with legendary names, TOTY Icons can absolutely justify their cost. For purely budget-conscious players, it may be more efficient to spread coins across several strong meta cards instead of one ultra-premium Icon.

As EA confirms more official details and new leaks appear, the picture around EA FC 26 TOTY Icons will become even clearer. For now, preparing your coins, club structure and squad plan is the smartest way to ensure you are ready when the first TOTY Icon walks out of that tunnel.