FIFA 23 TOTY — team of the year is already on the horizon in the strangest of seasons. World Cup content will soon be a distant memory in Ultimate Team, and in its place will be a handful of extremely powerful TOTY cards that will cost you a ton of coins to get into your lineup if you weren't lucky enough to snag one of them.
FIFA 23 TOTY players tend to be the best of the best, and the super-rare, super-powerful offerings will last until the very end, so while adding one to your squad may be challenging, it's worth the effort.
FIFA 23 TOTY release date speculation
We haven't received a confirmed launch date for this season yet, but it will most likely be late January. FIFA 22 launched on January 21, and a year earlier on January 22.
Both of these days were Fridays, so we would bet on what 20 January would be a good time for the team to arrive. Voting will most likely begin the week before. EA is expected to follow the schedule of previous years by releasing strikers in packs over several days, then midfielders, then defenders, and eventually all players will be available in packs at the same time.
What is FIFA 23 TOTY?
Each season, EA releases a long list of players, which will then be whittled down through fan voting to create a shortened starting lineup of 11 players. These stars have had an amazing year and typically receive a special type of uniform known as a Team of the Year or TOTY. The final roster of special players usually combines ultra-popular players with those who complement the latest meta.
EA is also holding a 12th person vote once the initial team is completed, giving players one last chance to vote for additional inclusion from a short list. It's likely that content creators will receive physical TOTY kits and merchandise as EA is pushing the marketing for this promotion more than others.
Predictions for FIFA 23 TOTY
Here's our prediction for the FIFA 23 Team of the Year:
GK: Thibault Courtois
The whole team must have a strong Madrid flair, as Los Blancos won another Champions League title in May. Thibaut Courtois silenced many doubters in the win over Liverpool and is considered by many to be the best goalkeeper in the world. His height and dominance on the field make him elite in FIFA 23.
RB: Joao Cancelo
It's a tough choice, as Rees James would likely have been treated more harshly had he not spent the latter part of the year injured. Joao Cancelo of Manchester City and Portugal is an incredible attacking full-back whose high/average work rate allows him to be a regular part of attacking action in the right system.
Man City fans are used to seeing him on the left flank, and there's a good chance he'll feature in the FIFA 23 TOTY selection as well.
CB: Eder Militao
The first half of Madrid's Champions League-winning centre-back pairing. The Brazilian is quick, reads the game well and does not stray too far from his position in the game thanks to his average work tempo.
Militao has become a FIFA favorite since his arrival at Porto in 2018, mainly due to his pace, strength and above-average dribbling skills for the position.
CB: David Alaba
David Alaba stood alongside Eder Militao as Madrid secured European dominance. Most likely, he will be standing next to him here too.
The Austrian has dominated many different positions over the years, from midfield to left-back and now as a centre-back. He has excellent ball control, can attack, has a high pace and even has the quality of a ball receiver. In the Team of the Year version, he could be one of the best all-around cards in the game.
LB: Theo Hernandez
A key player in Milan's first Serie A win in 11 years, Theo Hernandez is the most explosive left-back on the planet at the moment. Even its standard card features excellent offensive stats and is great for players who like to take shots at goal with a long-range howitzer.
The Frenchman is also absolutely fast, which will likely make Hernandez the most expensive of the defenders.
CM: Federico Valverde
Madrid's Federico Valverde is arguably the best midfielder in the world at the moment. The Uruguayan can play anywhere and has excelled this year both in midfield and on the right wing.
He is hardworking, tries to play sharp passes and seems to only score goals. Fans of team-building puzzles may already have Valverde's Player of the Month card, but we can expect something more when voting begins.
CM: Jude Bellingham
It's amazing how well prepared Jude Bellingham is at just 19 years old. He has been a leader in Borussia Dortmund for a long time, but at the World Cup he received the same status in the England national team, only getting into the starting lineup at the beginning of the tournament.
Bellingham saves the ball, knows how to pass and score important goals. He has the ability to intercept the ball, rush back and always put his body on the line for the team. His gold card doesn't make Bellingham fair in FIFA 23, so the TOTY version could replicate the god status we've seen from Yaya Toure, Ruud Gullit and similar legends over the years.
CM: Luka Modric
What can you say about Luka Modric at the moment? The 37-year-old is a future icon of the game. He was at the center of Madrid's Champions League victory and Croatia's deep run into the World Cup. With incredible vision, ball control and defence, he is a confident player in TOTY.
ST: Kylian Mbappe
Perhaps the best player in the world at the moment after a brilliant World Cup. The speed, dribbling and skill of Kylian Mbappe has long made him one of the most dangerous cards in FIFA. And you know what? It is certain that he will become even more intimidating with the update, which will allow him to become one of the best and most expensive players. Prepare millions.
ST: Erling Haaland
The height, pace and lethality of the Norwegian are a perfect match in FIFA 23. It's time to run and hide if he gets a TOTY card; just pass the ball to Haaland in the box and good night.
While Karim Benzema, who won the Ballon d'Or this year, is undoubtedly a worthy choice, Haaland is likely to beat him in the vote due to the popularity of the gold card.
RW: Lionel Messi
Are words necessary in this case? Lionel Messi has finally won the World Cup, which means that he will most likely get a new card when TOTY is released. Pace, dribbling, finishing; he will have it all, now with a confirmed GOAT status.
That's all the current info and our own predictions for the FIFA 23 Team of the Year. With an influx of World Cup icons and heroes, TOTY players have something to look up to if they plan to stay in the football game's already super-powerful meta system.
Recommended:
- Team of the FIFA 23 World Cup Tournament: Messi, Mbappe, Foden and more
- Cheapest 85 rated players in FIFA 23
- Best FIFA 23 Midfielders Signed in Career Mode
- Best FIFA 23 Custom Tactics
- How to make a powerful shot in FIFA 23
- Top FIFA 23 Geeks and Young Players Signed in Career Mode
- How to land a hit in FIFA 23
