FC 26 Players

While FC 26 is a virtual football game, it's closely connected to the real world of football in every aspect. In fact, this is true of almost every sports game, as their audience largely overlaps with fans from various fields.

At least in FIFA 26, the player cards correspond to real-world players, most events are based on real football leagues, and there are regular opportunities to enhance players within FC 26 based on player changes.

Among all these similar events, Team of the Week (TOTW) is a must-mention. It updates weekly after the game's launch, letting you know the latest must-have players.

This time, we'll introduce the newly released TOTW 9 lineup to help you build a stronger team in future games.

Team Of The Week Introduction

This mechanism first appeared in earlier EA Sports FC games and continues to this day, aiming to give both new and veteran players the opportunity to see the best player lineups as soon as possible.

In FC 26, Team of the Week roster is usually announced every Wednesday, featuring players who have performed exceptionally well in real-world football matches over the past week.

Team of the Week provides them with in-game upgrades, typically obtainable through Ultimate Team card packs. Even if you're busy collecting UEFA Primetime cards lately, don't forget TOTW!

Including TOTW 9, the current TOTW promotion dates are as follows:

• TOTW Week 1: 17/09/2025
• TOTW Week 2: 24/09/2025
• TOTW Week 3: 01/10/2025
• TOTW Week 4: 08/10/2025
• TOTW Week 5: 15/10/2025
• TOTW Week 6: 22/10/2025
• TOTW Week 7: 29/10/2025
• TOTW Week 8: 05/11/2025
• TOTW Week 9: 12/11/2025

All TOTW 9 Players

Based on the performances of all players in their respective clubs and leagues during the week of November 5th to 12th, FUT 26 has awarded the following players a Team of the Week 9 promotion opportunity. Their locations and OVRs are listed below:

• Vitinha - CM - OVR 90
• Buhl - LM - OVR 88
• Messi - ST - OVR 87
• Ballard - CB - OVR 86
• Laia Aleixandri - CM - OVR 86
• Berardi - RW - OVR 85
• Doku - LW - OVR 94
• Leuchter - ST - OVR 84
• Maza - CM - OVR 83
• Toure - RB - OVR 83
• Sander - CB - OVR 83
• Said - LW - OVR 83
• Til - ST - OVR 83
• Tierney - LB - OVR 83
• Godfrey - RM - OVR 83
• Shaw - ST - OVR 83
• Zeballos - CAM - OVR 83
• Edu Espiau - ST - OVR 83
• Horn - GK - OVR 83
• Cozier-Duberry - RM - OVR 83
• Agyei - RM - OVR 83
• Martinez - ST - OVR 83
• Mika Marmol - CB - OVR 83

How To Obtain These Players?

After TOTW Week 9 begins, all standard and promotional Ultimate Team Packs will contain relevant player cards for this week. Each pack will display the probability of obtaining a TOTW player.

If you're not confident in your luck and don't want to gamble, you can directly find your desired TOTW player in the transfer market and exchange for them. Of course, the better the player's rating and performance, the more coins will be required.

In addition, FC 26 SBCs include a type of TOTW Upgrade SBC, specifically for obtaining TOTW players. Simply complete the challenge with a player lineup that meets specific conditions to redeem a pack that guarantees a TOTW player.

Sometimes other promotional SBCs may also offer packs containing Team of the Week players, but the probability is relatively low and you need to pay attention, so dedicated SBCs are more recommended.

Another way is to complete some special objectives released in FC 26 basic or season challenges, which may reward you with a specific TOTW player item or a TOTW Player Pick.

If you don't get TOTW 9 player you want in time, their corresponding player item will enter the secondary market at the end of the week or when the new week's TOTW roster is announced, at which time the number of coins required may change.

What Are TOTW 9 Players Used For?

As with previous weeks or previous FUT games, if Team of the Week 9 players are suitable for your team, you can add them directly to your roster or use them to complete appropriate SBCs to help you earn more rewards.

However, if you already have a better player for a position on your team than the one you drew, don't leave them idle. You can sell the extra TOTW players for coins.

Which TOTW 9 Players Are More Valuable?

The value and ability of players in TOTW 9 vary, so not every player is worth having. Overall, the most noteworthy is undoubtedly Messi. Although he's no longer in his prime, age doesn't matter in the game. His in-game stats are:

• Position: RW
• OVR: 86
• Pace: 78
• Shooting: 85
• Passing: 85
• Dribbling: 90
• Defending: 33
• Physical: 64

Another recommended TOTW 9 player is Dan Ballard, who scored a goal for his team against Arsenal last Saturday, and scored a header in the final moments to equalize the score. Here are his key stats for FC 26:

• Position: CB
• OVR: 86
• Pace: 79
• Shooting: 45
• Passing: 70
• Dribbling: 73
• Defending: 85
• Physical: 90

Of course, a player's effectiveness isn't solely determined by stats. It also depends on how effectively you integrate them into the team to maximize overall performance, as football is a team sport.

That concludes the information on TOTW 9 and all related players. We hope you have a wonderful week in FC 26!

EA FC 26's latest update patch 1.2.0 brings some changes to the game again, but it's clearly not as disruptive as patch 1.1.0. As other players have said, it's more of a placebo patch.

While this patch adjusts player AI, the current meta formations remain largely unchanged. Still, you can try some alternative setups that, despite not being mainstream, have unique strengths.

4-2-3-1 (Wide)

4-2-3-1 formation's backline consists of a goalkeeper, a left-back, two center-backs, and a right-back. In this formation, the defenders often employ man-marking tactics, with center-backs marking the strikers and fullbacks closely monitoring the wingers. Two defensive midfielders provide a defensive barrier in front of the back four.

• Build-Up Style: Short Passing (it allows players to move closer together during attacks, creating more passing options.)
• Defensive Approach: Extreme

Player Roles

• GK (Defend): Goalkeeper+
• LB (Support): Attacking Wingback++
• RB (Support): Attacking Wingback++
• LCB (Aggressive): Ball-Playing Defender
• RCB (Aggressive): Ball-Playing Defender
• LM (Roaming): Wide Playmaker++
• RM (Balanced): Inside Forward++
• LCDM (Roaming): Box Crasher++
• RCMD (Roaming): Deep-Lying Playmaker++
• CAM (Balanced): Wide Playmaker++
• ST (Attack): Advanced Forward++

You need to be especially careful with the movement of players in LM position, as their inside runs are crucial to your short passing tactics. Furthermore, the soul of this tactic is Attacking Wingback++ and Box Crasher++, which are essential for providing attacking width and late runs into the box.

If you want to control possession throughout the game, your midfielders should ideally possess Tiki Taka+ Playstyle. Forwards should ideally possess Incisive Pass+.

Player Requirements

87 OVR Claudia Pina

Claudia Pina stands out not only for her Finesse Shot and Low Driven+, but more importantly for her highly effective Tiki Taka and Incisive Pass playstyles. This makes her irreplaceable in possession-based play, and she's extremely threatening even without high race.

Tiki Taka is essential for smooth passing and movement. Without it, players take too long to control the ball and adjust, missing attacking opportunities. Of course, if you don't have 87 OVR Claudia Pina, 86 OVR Claudia Pina is also an option; she currently takes around 6000 FC 26 coins.

88 OVR Sergio Busquets

Sergio Busquets also has Tiki Taka+ and Long Ball Pass. Although he only has 3-star skills and 3 weak foot, he absolutely meets the needs of this formation.

4-4-1-1 (Midfield)

4-4-1-1 formation is a common football formation, similar in personnel to the formation above. It features four defenders, four midfielders, one attacking midfielder, and one striker. The striker is the primary scorer, while the attacking midfielder organizes attacks and supports the striker. This formation strikes a balance between the traditional 4-4-2 and a more attacking formation, balancing defensive and offensive capabilities.

In the latest patch 1.2.0, 4-4-1-1 formation has received a significant buff, becoming a very solid and effective formation suitable for Weekly Leagues, Division Rivals, and even Pro Ladder.

• Build-Up Style: Balanced
• Defensive Approach: High

Player Roles

• GK (Balanced): Sweeping Keeper+
• LB (Defend): Defender++
• RB (Defend): Defender++
• LCB (Defend): Defender++
• RCB (Defend): Defender++
• LM (Balanced): Inside Forward++
• RM (Balanced): Inside Forward++
• LCM (Balanced): Box-to-Box+
• RCM (Build-up): Deep-Lying Playmaker++
• CAM (Attack): Shadow Striker++
• ST (Attack): Advanced Forward++

If you feel your attacking organization is not going smoothly, you can change CAM from Shadow Striker to Playmaker, allowing for more deep drops and support, which will help advance the ball.

Player Requirements

Fullbacks need to be fast and have good ball control. Nuno Mendes or Marcos Llorente are good options. Center-backs also need speed and a good defensive playstyle.

Wingers need to be fast to execute through balls and create space behind the defense.

The three central midfielders are key to the formation. The attacking midfielder and two central midfielders should ideally have Tiki Taka+ and Incisive Pass+ playstyles. This ensures accurate one-touch passing and the ability to deliver lethal through balls.

Forwards should also have Tiki Taka+ or Incisive Pass+, crucial for linking up attacks. You can also use Claudia Pina. As for the goalkeeper, you can assign him based on the players you have.

How To Attack?

During the attacking build-up phase, the primary goal is to find your CAM. Use him to pass the ball to CAM to break the opponent's midfield lines.

Press L1/LB to direct teammates to run in behind, which stretches the opponent's defensive line and creates time and space for the ball carrier.

While pressing L1/LB, gently push the right stick towards the specific route you want your teammate to run. This is an advanced technique that manually creates passing opportunities.

When forward passing lanes are blocked, pass the ball back to a midfielder or defender. Use this pass to push the entire formation forward, while giving yourself more time to observe and make decisions. Finally, utilize the speed of your wingers to create scoring opportunities by playing through balls behind the opponent's flanks.

How To Defend?

Your four defenders form a strong defensive line. You only need to keep the formation compact and cover the middle. It's better to let the opponent run down the flanks than to allow them to easily break through the middle.

You can also manually pull your attacking midfielder back, effectively turning the formation into a 4-5-1, creating a numerical advantage in the middle. Executing an offside trap by pressing the up arrow twice will push the entire defensive line forward, further compressing the opponent's attacking space.

While these formations are not mainstream, they both offer considerable strength. Moreover, once you've mastered it, it can actually make your attacks more difficult for your opponents to handle when they're unfamiliar with your formation.