The Team of the Year promotion shifts gears tonight at 19:00 CET as EA Sports FC 26 introduces the second team of TOTY Icons into packs. This new batch of legends replaces Team 1 and arrives precisely when the TOTY Defenders and Goalkeepers take over from the Midfielders.

A New Era for Your Defense and Midfield

While the full Team of the Year XI is still a few days away, tonight offers a massive opportunity to upgrade your squad with some of the most powerful cards in the game. The headline for this release is undoubtedly the arrival of two of the most meta-dominant players in Ultimate Team history: Paolo Maldini and Ruud Gullit.

Paolo Maldini (94 OVR) leads the defensive line. His TOTY Icon card boasts incredible attributes that will likely make him the best centre-back available. With 97 Defending and 88 Pace, he is perfectly built to shut down the rapid attackers currently dominating the meta.

Ruud Gullit (93 OVR) returns as a Central Attacking Midfielder and looks to be the ultimate box-to-box presence. His stats are remarkably well-rounded with every single face stat on the card rated 88 or higher. With 94 Shooting and 93 Physicality, Gullit can dominate the midfield battle and finish chances like a elite striker.

Guide: Claim your secret free FC 26 Icon pack today
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Guide: Claim your secret free FC 26 Icon pack today

The Full TOTY Icon Team 2 Squad

Joining Maldini and Gullit are three other legendary players who have received significant upgrades.

  • Paolo Maldini (CB) – 94 OVR
  • Ruud Gullit (CAM) – 93 OVR
  • Lev Yashin (GK) – 93 OVR
  • Alex Morgan (ST) – 93 OVR
  • Carlos Alberto (RB) – 92 OVR

Lev Yashin arrives as a 93-rated goalkeeper with 95 Reflexes and 94 Diving offering a premium option between the sticks. Alex Morgan receives a lethal 93-rated Striker card featuring 94 Pace and 93 Shooting while Brazilian legend Carlos Alberto offers a pacey and physical option at Right Back with 91 Pace and 92 Defending.

Updated Release Schedule

This release follows the official TOTY 2026 calendar. Team 2 Icons will remain in packs for three days before the Full Team release takes center stage.

  • TOTY Defenders & GK: January 20 to January 22
  • TOTY ICONS (Team 2): January 20 to January 23
  • Full Team of the Year XI: January 22 to January 30
  • Honourable Mentions & 12th Players: January 23 to January 30

Make sure to save your packs for 19:00 CET tonight if you are hunting for these specific Icons or the newly released TOTY Defenders.