EA FC 26 TOTW 3 releases Wednesday, October 1, 2025 at 6 PM BST (10 AM PT / 1 PM ET) featuring Julian Alvarez, Lionel Messi, Georgia Stanway, Marc Guehi, and Julian Brandt among the predicted standout performers. These In-Form cards will be available in packs for one week, offering significant stat upgrades over base versions. With EA's confirmed slower power curve this season, TOTW cards hold exceptional value for both gameplay and SBC completion.
| Key Information | Details |
|---|---|
| Release Date | Wednesday, October 1, 2025 |
| Announcement Time | 3 PM BST (7 AM PT / 10 AM ET) |
| Release Time | 6 PM BST (10 AM PT / 1 PM ET) |
| Availability | 7 days in packs |
| Top Predictions | Alvarez, Messi, Stanway, Guehi, Brandt |
| Expected Meta Cards | Alvarez, Laimer, Joelinton, Lauriente |
The third Team of the Week in EA FC 26 Ultimate Team arrives with some genuinely exciting predictions based on real-world performances from the past week. While community experts suggest TOTW 3 may be less stacked than the opening two weeks, several meta-defining cards could emerge that shape the early-season competitive landscape.
Contents
Before diving into predictions, let's quickly cover what makes TOTW special in FC 26. Team of the Week is EA's longest-running Ultimate Team promo, celebrating exceptional real-world football performances with upgraded In-Form (IF) cards. These special items feature boosted stats across multiple attributes, making them superior to base versions.
What's New in FC 26:
EA releases new TOTW squads every Wednesday at 6 PM BST, with official announcements arriving three hours earlier at 3 PM BST. Each squad typically contains 23 players: 11 starters and 12 substitutes/reserves spanning major leagues and global competitions.
Based on comprehensive analysis from multiple prediction experts at FUTBIN, FUT.GG, and community sources, here's the most likely TOTW 3 starting lineup:
The Slovakian goalkeeper earned Man of the Match honors despite making just three saves in Lyon's 1-0 away victory over Lille. L'Équipe awarded Greif an impressive 8/10 rating, and with limited standout goalkeeper performances this week, he's a strong candidate for the IF nod.
Guehi delivered a sensational performance against Liverpool, the club he nearly joined during the summer transfer window. The English center-back provided the assist for Palace's dramatic 97th-minute winner, ending Liverpool's winning streak. Sky Sports gave him a 9/10 match rating, making him one of the week's most certain inclusions.
With a relatively weak week for big-name defenders, Barcelona's Araujo could sneak into TOTW 3 after scoring in the Catalans' 3-1 away victory over Real Oviedo. His 8.5 Sofascore rating and importance to Barcelona's defensive structure strengthen his case.
Although Harry Kane grabbed headlines with another brace for Bayern Munich, he already received a TOTW 1 card and won't appear again so soon. Instead, Laimer—who played at left-back and scored in Bayern's commanding 4-0 victory over Bremen—earned a 1.5 Kicker rating (among the best possible). This versatile card could become a popular meta option given Laimer's pace and defensive stats.
Serie A proved challenging for predictions this week, with numerous low-scoring affairs across the league. Laurienté emerged as the standout option, contributing one goal and one assist in Sassuolo's 3-1 home win over Udinese. Gazzetta dello Sport awarded him a 7.5 match rating, making him the best attacking option from Italy.
This is perhaps the most exciting prediction for meta team builders. England's Georgia Stanway recorded three assists from central defensive midfield in Bayern's 4-0 thrashing of Freiburg. Her 8.6 Sofascore rating and dominant midfield display make her inclusion nearly guaranteed. A CDM with this attacking output will be highly sought after for Frauen Bundesliga squads and hybrid teams.
After being controversially snubbed from TOTW 2 despite excellent performances, Messi appears destined for inclusion this week. The Argentine maestro delivered two goals and one assist in Inter Miami's 4-0 demolition of New York City FC, earning a perfect 10 Sofascore rating. Playing behind Suarez in a CAM role, this IF would provide exceptional value for MLS-based squads and Meta teams alike.
EA's willingness to include cup match performances opens the door for Joelinton, who scored twice from central midfield in Newcastle's 4-1 EFL Cup victory over Bradford City. His 9.8 Sofascore rating reflects his dominance, and given his physical presence combined with technical ability, this card could become a Premier League meta staple.
Brandt provided both assists in Dortmund's 2-0 away win over Mainz, earning a 1.5 Kicker rating (tied for best possible). Despite Adeyemi receiving the official MOTM award for his goal, Brandt's creative brilliance makes him the likely Bundesliga midfield selection. This card offers excellent value for German league squads.
Manchester United's struggles under their current management continued with a 3-1 defeat at Brentford, where Igor Thiago stole the show with two clinical goals. Sky Sports awarded him a 9/10 rating, and EA often rewards players who star in upset victories. Expect a significant rating boost that could make him a budget beast option.
The crown jewel of TOTW 3. Argentina's Julian Alvarez enjoyed a phenomenal week, scoring all three goals in Atlético's 3-2 home victory over Rayo Vallecano during midweek fixtures. His perfect 10 Sofascore rating cements his status as the marquee player for this TOTW. With La Liga fixtures providing multiple opportunities, Alvarez stands as the most desirable card in the entire squad—a genuine meta striker with pace, finishing, and movement.
The substitutes bench typically features players from lower-rated leagues or those with slightly less impactful performances:
Omar Alderete (Sunderland) - CB - 78 → 82 OVR Scored the only goal in Sunderland's 1-0 away victory over Nottingham Forest. The Championship club continues their impressive start to the season, sitting fourth with eleven points from six matches.
Janou Levels (Wolfsburg) - LB - 76 → 81 OVR Contributed one goal and one assist in Wolfsburg's 4-2 home win over Bremen in the Frauen Bundesliga. While EA typically includes one women's player per TOTW, Levels' 9.2 Sofascore rating makes a strong case for a second Frauen Bundesliga representative alongside Stanway.
Can Uzun (Eintracht Frankfurt) - CM - 74 → 80 OVR Despite Frankfurt's dramatic 6-4 victory over Gladbach (after leading 6-0), Uzun's goal and assist earned him a 1 Kicker rating and Bundesliga Player of the Week honors, making him a likely silver IF card.
Korbin Schrader (Lyon Féminines) - CDM - 82 → 84 OVR Absolutely dominated in Lyon's 6-1 demolition of PSG, scoring three goals and adding an assist from central defensive midfield. The perfect 10 Sofascore rating makes her a near-certainty for the substitutes bench.
Rafa (Beşiktaş) - CAM - 82 → 84 OVR The Portuguese midfielder's Wednesday hat-trick in Beşiktaş's 4-0 away victory over Kayserispor earned him a perfect 10 Sofascore rating. Midweek fixtures are now consistently considered for TOTW, and Rafa's performance demands recognition.
Joseph Paintsil (LA Galaxy) - ST - 76 → 81 OVR Scored a hat-trick playing as a striker in LA Galaxy's 4-1 victory over Kansas. His 9.8 Sofascore rating and pacey profile make him an attractive MLS option, though EA typically limits selections to one MLS player per week.
Gift Monday (Washington Spirit) - ST - 80 → 83 OVR The Nigerian forward's hat-trick in Washington's comfortable 4-0 home win over Houston demonstrates the NWSL's quality. EA has shown commitment to including NWSL players, and Monday's dominant performance (9 Sofascore rating) makes her inclusion likely.
Additional candidates who could fill remaining spots include:
While TOTW 3 may lack the star power of Kane and Haaland from week one, several cards offer exceptional value for competitive players:
1. Julian Alvarez (ST) - 87 → 88 OVR The undisputed king of TOTW 3. Alvarez combines elite pace, clinical finishing, and intelligent movement. His base card already performs well; this upgrade makes him a genuine game-changer. Expect his price to remain high throughout the week.
2. Konrad Laimer (LB) - 82 → 84 OVR Versatile Bayern players always command premium prices. Laimer's ability to play multiple positions, combined with likely pace and defending boosts, makes him ideal for Bundesliga hybrids and meta formations requiring attacking fullbacks.
3. Joelinton (CM) - 82 → 84 OVR Physical box-to-box midfielders dominate early-game meta. Joelinton's combination of strength, height, and technical ability—plus links to premium Premier League players—makes this IF extremely valuable.
4. Georgia Stanway (CDM) - 85 → 86 OVR Three assists from CDM? That's absurd. While Frauen Bundesliga links limit her versatility, she'll be the best defensive midfielder in that league and fantastic for objectives requiring women's players.
5. Armand Laurienté (LW) - 80 → 83 OVR Budget beast alert. Laurienté's pace and dribbling make him perfect for Serie A teams needing wing options. His IF could provide incredible value per coin.
Base Card Prices: Expect base versions of predicted TOTW players to dip 10-20% in the hours before announcement as speculators sell. After release, prices typically recover as the base cards leave packs temporarily.
Investment Opportunities: Players like Laimer, Joelinton, and Laurienté could see significant demand for Weekend League teams. Their base cards may spike after TOTW 3 expires next week.
SBC Fodder Value: High-rated cards like Alvarez and Stanway will hold premium prices due to SBC utility, especially with Icon and POTM challenges requiring In-Forms.
TOTW cards are among the rarest items in Ultimate Team, but here's how to maximize your chances:
1. Play Squad Battles Complete Squad Battles matches on higher difficulties to earn better weekly rewards. Elite-level rewards include rare player packs with improved odds.
2. Division Rivals Grind Division Rivals matches to fill your reward meter. Higher divisions offer better pack rewards, and you can choose between tradeable packs (sell TOTW cards for profit) or untradeable packs (higher volume, keep for SBCs).
3. Weekend League Qualification FUT Champions Play-Offs and Finals offer the best pack rewards in Ultimate Team. Achieving higher ranks dramatically improves your chances of packing special cards.
4. Complete Objectives EA regularly releases objectives requiring specific conditions (score with Serie A players, win with Bundesliga teams). These reward tradeable and untradeable packs.
5. SBC Packs Completing Squad Building Challenges often rewards packs. Foundation SBCs offer excellent value, with minimal investment required for decent pack returns.
Understanding EA's weekly TOTW cycle helps you plan objectives, trading strategies, and pack opening:
Wednesday, October 1, 2025:
Wednesday, October 8, 2025:
Pro Tip: If you pack a TOTW 3 player you want to sell, list immediately Wednesday evening when supply is lowest and hype is highest. Prices typically drop throughout the week as more cards enter circulation.
The debut TOTW for FC 26 featured heavy hitters including Erling Haaland (Manchester City) and Harry Kane (Bayern Munich) alongside quality cards like Marcos Llorente (Atlético Madrid), Fermin López (Barcelona), and Kenan Yıldız (Juventus). This stacked squad set a high bar for the season's opening weeks.
Week two brought Éder Militão (Real Madrid), Ryan Gravenberch (Liverpool), Christian Pulisic (AC Milan), and Debinha (Kansas City Current). While not as star-studded as TOTW 1, it offered solid depth across multiple leagues.
Community consensus suggests TOTW 3 sits between weeks one and two in overall quality. Alvarez provides the marquee name, while supporting cast members like Messi, Guehi, and Stanway offer genuine gameplay value across multiple leagues and formations.
Understanding potential stat upgrades helps you prioritize which cards to target:
Predicted Key Stats:
Playstyle Plus Predictions: First Touch, Finesse Shot, Clinical Finisher Best Chemistry Styles: Hawk (balanced), Hunter (pure pace), Engine (dribbling) Why He's Meta: Alvarez combines elite pace with technical excellence and intelligent movement. Perfect central striker for through-ball dominated gameplay.
Predicted Key Stats:
Playstyle Plus Predictions: Finesse Shot+, Technical+, Incisive Pass+ Best Chemistry Styles: Catalyst (pace/passing), Marksman (shooting/physical) Why He's Special: Even modest upgrades to Messi create premium cards. His dribbling and passing remain unmatched, making him ideal for possession-based playstyles.
Predicted Key Stats:
Playstyle Plus Predictions: Intercept+, Block+, Aerial Best Chemistry Styles: Shadow (pace/defending), Anchor (balanced) Why Premier League Players Love Him: Strong links to popular English defenders and Premier League clubs. Pace upgrade makes him viable for competitive play.
Predicted Key Stats:
Playstyle Plus Predictions: Long Ball Pass+, Intercept+, Relentless Best Chemistry Styles: Shadow (pace/defending), Powerhouse (passing/defending) Why She's Valuable: Exceptionally rare to find defensive midfielders with genuine attacking threat. Perfect for Frauen Bundesliga squads and women's player objectives.
The EA FC community has mixed feelings about TOTW 3's predicted quality:
Optimistic Views: Community members on Reddit's r/EASportsFC and Discord servers highlight Alvarez as a genuinely exciting inclusion who could define early-season meta. Many praise EA's commitment to including cup matches and midweek fixtures, expanding the player pool and rewarding more performances.
Skeptical Perspectives: Some experts from FUTBIN and FUT.GG suggest TOTW 3 represents the weakest squad of the opening three weeks. Outside Alvarez, few cards inspire excitement for top-division competitive players. However, this creates opportunities for budget-conscious players to build effective squads with affordable IFs.
Key Community Insights:
From FUT.GG's analysis: "Murillo's last-minute goal could see him sneak into TOTW 3, potentially making it three IFs from the opening three weeks." This highlights EA's tendency to reward consistent performers across multiple TOTWs.
From FUTBIN's prediction: "As a collective, TOTW 3 looks set to be the worst we have seen so far with limited options to get excited about. Once again Messi could headline, with Alvarez being the main standout option."
The official EA Sports FC Discord community continues providing real-time feedback and speculation, making it an excellent resource for staying current with community sentiment.
Experienced traders use Team of the Week releases to generate significant coin profits:
Mass Bidding Strategy: Target base versions of predicted TOTW players trading below market value. When TOTW releases, base cards temporarily leave packs, reducing supply and increasing prices. Sell during the supply shortage for 10-30% profit.
High-Risk, High-Reward: If you're confident in your predictions, purchase multiple copies of players like Laimer or Joelinton. A correct prediction can double your investment; an incorrect prediction means losses.
Panic Selling: Many players immediately list packed TOTW cards, flooding the market. Prices hit their lowest 1-2 hours after release. Purchase cards you want to keep at these discounted prices.
Weekend League Flip: Buy TOTW cards Wednesday-Thursday, hold until Friday evening when Weekend League begins. Demand spikes as competitive players build optimal squads, pushing prices up 20-50%.
SBC Fodder: High-rated TOTW cards rarely depreciate significantly because they're required for premium SBCs. Alvarez, Stanway, and other 85+ cards maintain value as Icon SBC fodder.
Meta Cards: Genuinely meta-defining cards like a theoretical Alvarez IF could appreciate over time as supply diminishes and more players recognize their effectiveness.
Off-Meta Leagues: Lower-tier league TOTWs often crash hard initially but recover strongly during league-specific objectives. Chinese Super League, Eredivisie, and Saudi Pro League IFs follow this pattern consistently.
EA often releases objectives requiring TOTW cards in your starting lineup:
Foundation SBCs: The Path to Pro objective group rewards an 86-rated TOTW player pick upon completion. Many players report technical issues claiming these rewards—contact EA Support if your objective doesn't register properly.
Weekend League Plus: New mini-challenges during Division Rivals matches occasionally require "score with a TOTW player" or similar conditions. Keep affordable IFs in your club for these spontaneous objectives.
Evolution Challenges: Special Evolution paths sometimes require In-Form cards as starting materials, creating sudden demand spikes for lower-rated TOTWs.
If objectives require TOTW cards but don't specify ratings, purchase the cheapest available options (typically 75-78 rated players from lower leagues). This saves coins while completing requirements efficiently.
TOTW 3 releases Wednesday, October 1, 2025 at 6:00 PM BST (10:00 AM PT / 1:00 PM ET). EA announces the squad officially three hours earlier at 3:00 PM BST via their official Twitter account @EASPORTSFC.
Top predictions include Julian Alvarez (Atlético Madrid), Lionel Messi (Inter Miami), Georgia Stanway (Bayern Munich), Marc Guehi (Crystal Palace), Julian Brandt (Borussia Dortmund), Konrad Laimer (Bayern Munich), and Joelinton (Newcastle United) based on real-world performances.
Team of the Week cards remain available in packs for exactly seven days, from Wednesday 6:00 PM BST until the following Wednesday 6:00 PM BST when the next TOTW releases. During this week, base versions of TOTW players don't appear in packs.
No. Once TOTW 3 expires on October 8 when TOTW 4 releases, those specific In-Form cards are no longer available in packs. They only return through special promotions, SBC rewards, or objectives. This scarcity increases their market value over time.
The most effective method is earning rewards through Division Rivals, Squad Battles, and FUT Champions Weekend League. These competitive modes offer the highest-quality packs with the best odds of special cards. Completing daily and weekly objectives also provides tradeable packs.
Yes. EA confirmed they're including cup matches in FC 26's TOTW selections, as evidenced by several cup performers in TOTW 1 and TOTW 2. This expands the eligible player pool and rewards performances from FA Cup, EFL Cup, Copa del Rey, and other domestic cup competitions.
Pricing depends on market dynamics, but expect Alvarez to be the most expensive TOTW 3 card, likely ranging between 150,000-300,000 coins in the first few days. Prices typically stabilize mid-week before potentially spiking again during Weekend League.
Community experts note fewer elite-tier players (90+ rated) and limited standout performances across Europe's top leagues this week. While Alvarez headlines, the supporting cast lacks the star power of Haaland, Kane, Militão, and Pulisic from previous weeks.
This depends on your team's needs. TOTW 3 offers solid, usable cards but lacks extreme meta options. If your squad desperately needs upgrades, open during TOTW 3. If you're comfortable waiting, upcoming promotional events typically feature higher-rated special cards with more dramatic stat boosts.
Icon SBCs frequently require In-Form cards as submission materials. Having TOTW cards in your club—especially high-rated ones—provides cheap, efficient solutions for these segments. Many players purchase affordable IFs specifically for SBC completion rather than actual gameplay.
EA Sports FC Official Website: Visit ea.com/games/ea-sports-fc for official announcements, patch notes, and developer deep dives explaining gameplay changes and Ultimate Team content.
@EASPORTSFC on Twitter/X: The official social media account announces TOTW squads, promotional events, and addresses community concerns. Follow for real-time updates every Wednesday at 3:00 PM BST.
Official EA Sports FC Discord: Join the official Discord server at discord.com/invite/easportsfc to connect with 97,000+ members of the global FC community. Share feedback, find teammates, discuss strategies, and stay current with the latest game news. EA monitors this server daily, making it an excellent place for your voice to be heard.
Reddit r/EASportsFC: The unofficial Reddit community offers daily discussions, trading advice, squad building help, pack opening reactions, and gameplay tips. With hundreds of thousands of members, it's one of the most active FC communities online.
FUTBIN: The premier database for player stats, squad builders, SBC solutions, and market price tracking. FUTBIN's prediction articles and community discussions provide valuable insights for competitive players.
FUT.GG: Another excellent resource for TOTW predictions, player reviews, meta analysis, and trading strategies. Their detailed breakdowns help players understand why certain cards perform better than their stats suggest.
FC Trading Discord Servers: Multiple community-run Discord servers focus specifically on trading strategies, sniping filters, and market investments. Search for "EA FC 26 Trading" to find active communities sharing profitable methods.
EA Forums: The official EA forums at forums.ea.com provide direct communication with EA representatives about technical issues, bug reports, and feature suggestions. Use this platform for support inquiries requiring official EA assistance.
EA FC 26's third Team of the Week may not match the explosive star power of the opening weeks, but it offers genuine value across multiple dimensions:
For Competitive Players: Julian Alvarez provides a legitimate meta striker option capable of competing at the highest levels. Konrad Laimer and Joelinton offer versatile, high-value options for hybrid squads.
For Budget Builders: Cards like Armand Laurienté, Igor Thiago, and Joseph Paintsil deliver excellent cost-per-performance ratios, allowing effective team building without draining coin reserves.
For League-Specific Squads: Georgia Stanway revolutionizes Frauen Bundesliga teams, while players like Rafa and Schrader provide quality options for less-represented leagues.
For SBC Completers: High-rated IFs always maintain value as Icon and POTM SBC fodder, making smart purchases this week valuable long-term investments.
The community's mixed reception reflects realistic expectations—not every TOTW can feature Haaland and Kane. However, depth, diversity, and accessibility make TOTW 3 an important release for Ultimate Team's early-season ecosystem.
My recommendation: Open your saved packs Wednesday evening if you need immediate squad upgrades. If you're building toward future promotional events, consider saving your best packs while still completing objectives and competitive modes to earn fresh packs specifically for TOTW 3.
Remember to bookmark this page—I'll update it with the official TOTW 3 squad immediately after EA's 3:00 PM BST announcement Wednesday, October 1, 2025. Follow the official EA Sports FC Twitter account for real-time confirmations, and join the Discord community to celebrate (or commiserate) with fellow Ultimate Team enthusiasts.
Whether you're grinding Division Rivals, preparing for Weekend League, or simply enjoying casual matches, TOTW 3 offers meaningful cards that can elevate your EA FC 26 experience. Good luck with your pack openings, and may the pack gods smile upon you this Wednesday!