Team of the Year sits at the heart of FIFA Ultimate Team. In FIFA 20, it set the tone for Weekend League, rivals play, and creator content. The blue cards arrived in early January and, for a short window, changed how everyone built squads and played matches.
What Team of the Year is
TOTY is an annual XI that honors the previous year’s best players. EA selects one goalkeeper, four defenders, three midfielders, and three forwards. Media, pros, and community voices weigh in on the vote. The result mirrors real football form, then translates it into FUT with massive permanent upgrades.
FIFA 20’s pool featured global stars. Lionel Messi led the attack with elite dribbling and finishing. Virgil van Dijk anchored the back line with reach, strength, and positioning. Kevin De Bruyne controlled midfield with passing range and shooting from distance. Other fixtures from that cycle included Alisson in goal and a Premier League heavy defense, plus pace on the wings and inside forward roles.
Why the cards matter
TOTY items push key stats into the high 90s. That lift changes matchups. Center backs win more duels. Wingers separate on counters. Midfielders thread passes that normal cards cannot. In tight Weekend League games, that small edge decides results. Prices follow, so these are usually the most expensive cards on the market during the promo.
How to get them?
Packs. TOTY cards appear in special packs while the squads are in rotation. Save high value packs and open when attackers, midfielders, or defenders go live. Lightning rounds hit fast, so timing matters.
SBCs. Upgrade and league SBCs during the window help you craft packs without paying full price. Convert untradeables into higher tiers. Rinse, repeat, and you raise your odds.
Transfer market. If you have the coins, buy directly. Aim for a liquid meta card that fits your league links. Prices spike on first release, then settle, then rise again when supply dries up.
Build a squad that fits them
Start with chemistry. Link TOTY cards by club, league, or nation, or use Icons to bridge leagues. A 4-2-3-1 gives structure if you land a top attacker or CAM. A 4-4-2 works when you pair a TOTY striker with a runner. If you pack a defender like van Dijk, push your line a little higher and trust recovery pace.
Use their traits. Press after possession loss if your front three have pace and stamina to swarm. On set pieces, target aerial threats and low driven cutbacks. Let De Bruyne type midfielders take corners and long shots. Keep Messi type forwards on mixed attack to find space between the lines.
Protect your coins. Do not overhaul the full XI for one card. Upgrade the spine first, striker, center mid, center back, then full back or keeper. If you trade, watch supply waves when new position groups enter packs.
Long term value
TOTY cards hold demand across the FIFA 20 cycle because they are rare and strong. They often keep value better than in-forms or standard special cards. If you play qualifiers or grind Weekend League, even one of these cards can swing a tight match. Invest where it complements your style, then let the rest of the team amplify that strength.
