The first week of the Team of the Year campaign in FC 26 Ultimate Team is almost done, which means one thing: TOTY Honourable Mentions are right around the corner. These items reward standout players who narrowly missed the official TOTY XI but still delivered exceptional performances during the year.
Unlike the main TOTY starters, Honourable Mentions are often slightly easier to pack, making them a key target for regular players and hardcore traders alike. They usually offer big stat boosts, strong links to meta cards, and can dramatically upgrade your squad without having to hit the ultra-rare full TOTY cards.
This guide compiles all current leaks, explains the expected release time, and shows you how to prepare your club effectively for the promo. You will also find practical tips on club management, coin usage, and how external resources such as safe marketplaces can fit into your overall strategy.
A number of Honourable Mentions players have already been hinted at by reliable leakers and FC community sources. Some cards are expected to arrive through Squad Building Challenges (SBCs) and objectives, while a larger batch will be made available in packs when the full team drops.
Based on current leaks at the time of writing, the following names are strongly expected to feature in the FC 26 TOTY Honourable Mentions squad:
These are early leaks and are always subject to change, but they give a strong idea of the power level we can expect. More names are usually revealed closer to the official launch, so it’s worth keeping an eye on trusted community accounts and official EA announcements.
In previous years, Honourable Mentions squads have also included a mix of fan-favourite players, surprise inclusions, and a couple of budget beasts that become staples in Road to Glory teams. FC 26 is expected to follow a similar pattern.
While Honourable Mentions cards are not on the same level as full TOTY items, they usually sit just below that tier and often outperform many other promos released throughout the year. Here are a few trends you can expect:
Because of these factors, some Honourable Mentions end up being better value than many full TOTY cards when price is taken into account. Smart players use this period to upgrade multiple positions instead of blowing their entire budget on a single superstar.
The FC 26 TOTY Honourable Mentions squad is expected to be released into packs alongside the full Team of the Year starting line-ups. Once the promo goes live, HM items will typically remain in packs for around one week.
According to the current schedule, Honourable Mentions are set to arrive on a Friday, Jan. 23 style slot in the promo cycle. As usual with FC 26 content, the cards should appear simultaneously worldwide, following EA Sports’ standard release window.
The typical global launch times to watch for are:
Make sure your game is updated and you log in a few minutes early so you’re ready for lightning rounds, new SBCs, and fresh objectives as soon as they go live. During TOTY, competition for packs and market deals is intense, and a few minutes can make a big difference.
Preparation is crucial if you want to maximise your chances of getting the best value from the Honourable Mentions phase of TOTY. Here are several practical steps you can take before the cards hit packs.
Many dedicated FC 26 players start saving packs weeks before TOTY. If you haven’t started yet, it’s still worth holding any high-value packs you earn from:
Opening these packs while both TOTY starters and Honourable Mentions are in packs gives you the widest possible pool of special cards.
Expect multiple SBCs during the Honourable Mentions window, including:
Before the promo, sort your club and identify:
Whether you’re grinding menus or trading on the market, having a clear coin plan can stop you from panic-selling or overpaying during hype spikes. Some players also consider external, secure methods to support their in-game economy. If you do that, always prioritise safety and reputability.
During TOTY and the Honourable Mentions phase, the in-game economy can get extremely volatile. Player prices jump rapidly, SBCs demand a lot of fodder, and it becomes harder to keep up if you only rely on match rewards. This is where external platforms can complement your grind—so long as you choose safe, established options.
ItemD2R.com focuses on helping FC 26 players strengthen their squads more efficiently. If you are short on coins but have clear targets in mind—such as a specific Honourable Mentions defender or a winger to link with your TOTY attacker—using a trusted store can give you the flexibility to build competitively without spending endless hours trading.
Through ItemD2R you can securely buy eafc26 coins for your account and then use those coins to:
Because TOTY is one of the highest-pressure periods of the year, being well-funded lets you react faster to market opportunities—sniping underpriced cards, investing in cards that rise during SBCs, or instantly filling gaps in your squad. If you are exploring external options, always stick to reputable providers and avoid sites that look unreliable or make unrealistic claims.
ItemD2R also caters specifically to players searching for fifa coins fc26, making it easier to coordinate your TOTY shopping list with your actual budget. Combining a stable coin base with smart in-game grinding can significantly enhance your overall TOTY Honourable Mentions experience.
Getting the most from TOTY Honourable Mentions is not just about luck; it’s about timing and smart decision-making. Here are some strategic pointers.
The best time to open your saved packs is usually when:
This maximises your chances of pulling any top-tier special card. If EA staggers the release of certain positions, consider waiting until your favourite positions (e.g., attackers or midfielders) are live.
During TOTY:
Patience can pay off. If you miss a target HM player in your early packs, it may be cheaper to wait a couple of days before buying them on the transfer market.
Not every SBC released during TOTY is worth doing. Before submitting valuable fodder, ask yourself:
Community rating sites and content creators often publish cost-per-rating and in-game performance reviews within hours of an SBC dropping, so it can be wise to wait for early feedback before you commit.
Honourable Mentions cards are typically available in packs for about one week once they go live, often overlapping with the presence of the full TOTY starting XI. Exact durations can vary based on EA’s promo schedule, so always check in-game timers and official news.
Full TOTY items are usually among the rarest cards in the entire game. Honourable Mentions are still rare and valuable, but generally easier to obtain compared to full TOTY cards, which is why many players focus on them as realistic, high-impact upgrades.
No. Leaks are not official information and can sometimes be incomplete or inaccurate. While community leakers are often reliable, EA Sports can change the final list, adjust stats, or move some players to separate SBCs or mini-releases.
Many players sell part of their team before TOTY to avoid price drops, but it depends on your goals. If you plan to play a lot of competitive matches during the promo, keeping a functional squad is important. If you’re comfortable grinding menus and casual modes, selling early and rebuying during or after the market crash can save coins.
Yes, for many players Honourable Mentions are a sweet spot between affordability and performance. They offer near-TOTY level stats without the extreme prices of the absolute top-tier items, making them ideal for strengthening multiple positions across your squad.
As the FC 26 TOTY Honourable Mentions promo approaches, keep an eye on official announcements, monitor the transfer market, and plan your packs and coins carefully. With smart preparation and a clear strategy, this can be one of the most rewarding times of the year to upgrade your Ultimate Team.