Another week, another Team of the Week (TOTW) in EA Sports FC 26 — and this one finally delivers some serious excitement. After several underwhelming lineups in recent weeks, TOTW 9 arrives with one of the most balanced and intriguing squads of the season, highlighted by the return of Lionel Messi’s first in-form card of FC 26 and a brand-new 90-rated midfielder pulling the strings in the middle of the park.
TOTW 9: A Return to Form for Ultimate Team
The TOTW promotion has long been one of the staple weekly drops in Ultimate Team, rewarding standout real-life performances with boosted in-game cards. While many fans had grown frustrated with the lack of star power in recent releases, TOTW 9 is here to reignite the hype.
Leading the charge this week is Inter Miami’s Lionel Messi, who has been recognized for his dazzling performance against Nashville — scoring twice and providing an assist in a dominant display. This marks his first in-form card of FC 26, and fans have been quick to point out how well his card fits into MLS or Argentine hybrid squads.
On the other hand, Robert Lewandowski’s omission has raised eyebrows after his hat-trick for Barcelona against Celta Vigo. Despite his stellar performance, the Polish striker surprisingly didn’t cut, leaving many players scratching their heads.
Nevertheless, there’s plenty to celebrate this week beyond Messi. Vitinha of PSG headlines the midfield with a huge 90-rated in-form card, rewarded for his creative brilliance in PSG’s victory over Lyon, where he tallied two assists. His boosted stats make him one of the best playmakers currently available in Ligue 1 teams.
TOTW 9 Release Date and Availability
Team of the Week 9 officially went live in EA Sports FC 26 Ultimate Team at:
6 PM UK Time / 2 PM EDT / 11 AM PDT on Wednesday, November 12.
The cards are now available in packs for a limited time — typically until the next TOTW replaces them the following Wednesday. You can also find them on the transfer market, though FC 26 Coins prices for big names like Messi and Vitinha are expected to spike significantly early on.
FC 26 TOTW 9: Full Squad Breakdown
Here’s the complete list of players featured in EA FC 26 TOTW 9, including several unexpected standouts from across global leagues and both men’s and women’s football.
GK - Timo Horn (VfL Bochum) - 83 rated
LB - Kieran Tierney (Celtic) - 83 rated
CB - Daniel Ballard (Sunderland) - 86 rated
CB - Philipp Sander (Borussia Mönchengladbach) - 83 rated
CB - Mika Maramol (Las Palmas) - 83 rated
RB - Idrissa Touré (Pisa) - 83 rated
CM - Vitinha (PSG) - 90 rated
CM - Laia Aleixandri (Barcelona) - 86 rated
CM - Ibrahim Maza (Bayer Leverkusen) - 83 rated
CAM - Exequiel Zeballos (Boca Juniors) - 83 rated
LM - Klara Bühl (Bayern Munich) - 88 rated
RM - Amario Cozier-Duberry (Bolton Wanderers) - 83 rated
RM - Dan Agyei (Kocaelispor) - 83 rated
RM - Freya Godfrey (London City Lionesses) - 83 rated
LW - Wesley Said (Lens) - 83 rated
LW - Jeremy Doku (Manchester City) - 84 rated
RW - Domenico Berardi (Sassuolo) - 85 rated
ST - Lionel Messi (Inter Miami) - 87 rated
ST - Romée Leuchter (PSG) - 84 rated
ST - Roger Martinez (Al-Taawoun) - 83 rated
ST - Edu Espiau (Arka Gdynia) - 83 rated
ST - Jaedyn Shaw (Gotham FC) - 83 rated
ST - Guus Til (PSV) - 83 rated
TOTW 9 Community Reaction
Initial reactions from the community have been overwhelmingly positive, especially given the inclusion of big names and diverse representation across leagues. Players have praised EA for giving recognition to both men’s and women’s football, and for rewarding strong individual performances rather than focusing purely on club reputation.
The standout talking points, however, remain Messi’s long-awaited in-form and Vitinha’s incredible upgrade. Many FUT traders are predicting sharp market movements as players rush to complete SBCs and buy cards to link with these top performers.
Final Thoughts
After several lackluster weeks, EA Sports FC 26 TOTW 9 feels like a genuine return to form. With Lionel Messi back in the spotlight, Vitinha commanding the midfield, and a mix of exciting new faces across global football, this week’s lineup has reignited enthusiasm in the community.
Whether you’re opening packs, trading on the market, or testing these players in Rivals, TOTW 9 offers a refreshing blend of star power, balance, and discovery — proving that EA can still surprise players when it counts.