EA Sports has officially announced the commencement of the traditional voting phase for its highly anticipated annual Team of the Year (TOTY) program in EA FC 26. The voting is set to begin on Wednesday, January 7. The TOTY event is renowned for introducing some of the most potent Ultimate Team cards available within the game, a key factor in its widespread popularity among players. Beyond the power of the cards, the program's appeal is significantly enhanced by its interactive element, allowing fans to cast their votes and directly influence the final selection of athletes who will be featured in this exclusive promotion.

A brief announcement teaser released for this year's voting phase has generated considerable excitement, featuring a diverse array of legendary figures. Notable personalities include football icons such as Zinedine Zidane, Toni Kroos, and Zlatan Ibrahimovic. Intriguingly, the teaser also includes Formula 1 legend Lewis Hamilton, hinting at potential broader inclusions or guest appearances related to the promotion. The official EA SPORTS FC social media account shared this teaser on January 6, 2026, urging fans to "Get ready to cast your votes on January 7."

Players eager to participate in the selection process can create their personalized TOTY squads directly on the official EA Sports website. This platform allows fans to vote for the inclusion of their preferred athletes in the final line-up. The voting mechanism is comprehensive, enabling fans to construct both a men's and a women's TOTY. Furthermore, players are given the opportunity to provide their input on the captains for both squads, a distinction that will result in special, unique items for the chosen recipients. In line with previous iterations of the program, an additional special card will be awarded to a "12th player," serving as a form of consolation prize for an athlete who narrowly missed the main team selection but garnered significant fan support.