EA FC 26 TOTW 3 2026 Predictions: Julian Alvarez & Messi Lead

I’ve been tracking every major football performance this past week, and let me tell you – EA FC 26’s Team of the Week 3 is shaping up to be interesting, though perhaps not as stacked as the previous weeks. After analyzing performances from over 50 matches and comparing predictions from top FUT sources, I’m ready to share my comprehensive TOTW 3 predictions that will help you prepare for Wednesday’s release.

The standout story this week? Julian Alvarez’s incredible form for Atletico Madrid, scoring five goals including a hat-trick and a brace against Real Madrid. But that’s just the beginning of what promises to be a diverse TOTW featuring players from unexpected leagues and cup competitions.

Quick TOTW 3 Overview (2026)

Key Information	Details
Release Date	Wednesday, October 1, 2026, 6 PM BST
Availability	In packs for 7 days
Top Predictions	Julian Alvarez, Lionel Messi, Georgia Stanway
Expected Rating Range	78-88 OVR
Total Players	23 (11 starting + 12 substitutes)
New Features	Cup competition performances included

Complete TOTW 3 Predictions – Starting XI

Goalkeepers

Dominik Greif (Lyon) – 78 → 82 OVR

I’m starting with Greif because his performance exemplifies what TOTW is all about – unexpected heroes. The Lyon keeper made just three saves but earned an impressive 8/10 from L’Equipe and was named Man of the Match in Lyon’s crucial 1-0 victory over Lille. With Ligue 1 needing representation and limited goalkeeper options this week, Greif seems like a lock for the starting position.

Defenders

Marc Guehi (Crystal Palace) – 82 → 84 OVR

Having been denied his dream move to Liverpool in the summer, Guehi delivered a masterclass performance against the very team that wanted him. His 97th-minute assist secured Crystal Palace’s dramatic 2-1 victory, ending Liverpool’s winning streak. With a 9/10 Sky Sports rating and Man of the Match honors, Guehi’s inclusion feels certain. His best controller settings guide could help you defend like him in-game.

Ronald Araujo (Barcelona) – 83 → 85 OVR

Barcelona’s defensive stalwart scored in their 3-1 victory over Real Oviedo, earning an 8.5 Sofascore rating. While not the flashiest performance this week, EA tends to include big-name players when possible, and Araujo’s goal from center-back combined with Barcelona’s popularity makes him a strong candidate.

Konrad Laimer (Bayern Munich) – 82 → 84 OVR

Playing out of position at left-back, Laimer still managed to score in Bayern’s dominant 4-0 victory over Bremen. His versatility and 1.5 Kicker rating (their highest) make him an attractive option for EA. The fact that Harry Kane already received a TOTW card recently increases Laimer’s chances significantly.

Midfielders

Georgia Stanway (Bayern Munich Women) – 85 → 86 OVR

My pick for the standout women’s player this week, Stanway provided three assists in Bayern’s 4-0 demolition of Freiburg. Her 8.6 Sofascore rating and the fact that EA has consistently included women’s football representation makes her inclusion almost guaranteed. She’ll be a fantastic addition for anyone building Frauen Bundesliga squads.

Joelinton (Newcastle United) – 82 → 84 OVR

Here’s where EA’s new cup competition inclusion becomes interesting. Joelinton scored twice from central midfield in Newcastle’s 4-1 Carabao Cup victory over Bradford City. His 9.8 Sofascore rating was among the highest of the week, and with EA actively promoting their new Cup TOTW feature, expect to see him featured prominently.

Julian Brandt (Borussia Dortmund) – 83 → 85 OVR

Despite not receiving the official Man of the Match award, Brandt provided both assists in Dortmund’s 2-0 victory over Mainz. His 1.5 Kicker rating matched the MOTM recipient, and his creative performance from the CAM position makes him perfect for Ultimate Team players seeking cheap meta players.

Wingers

Armand Lauriente (Sassuolo) – 80 → 83 OVR

Serie A’s representation comes through Lauriente, who scored once and assisted another in Sassuolo’s 3-1 victory. His 7.5 Gazzetta rating was among the highest in a week where Serie A lacked standout performances, making him the division’s most likely inclusion.

Lionel Messi (Inter Miami) – 86 → 87 OVR

After being controversially snubbed last week despite two goals and an assist, Messi repeated the feat against New York City FC in a 4-0 victory. His perfect 10 Sofascore rating and the backlash from last week’s omission make his inclusion virtually certain. Playing as a CAM rather than striker adds versatility for squad builders.

Strikers

Julian Alvarez (Atletico Madrid) – 87 → 88 OVR

The easiest selection of the week. Alvarez’s five goals across two matches, including a hat-trick against Rayo Vallecano and a brace in the Madrid derby, make him the standout performer. His 10/10 Sofascore rating and the high-profile nature of his goals guarantee him the headline spot in TOTW 3.

Igor Thiago (Brentford) – 75 → 84 OVR

Brentford’s Brazilian striker announced himself to the Premier League with two goals in their 3-1 victory over Manchester United. His 9/10 Sky Sports rating and the significance of the result (continuing United’s poor form) make him an attractive inclusion for EA.

TOTW 3 Predictions – Substitutes & Reserves

Notable Substitutes

Omar Alderete (Sunderland) – 78 → 82 OVR

Sunderland’s surprising start to the season continued with Alderete scoring the only goal in their 1-0 victory over Nottingham Forest. His 9/10 Sky Sports rating and Sunderland’s underdog story make him a compelling inclusion.

Korbin Shrader (Lyon Women) – 82 → 84 OVR

Three goals and an assist in Lyon’s 6-1 demolition of PSG Women earned Shrader a perfect 10 rating. The dominant performance in such a high-profile fixture makes her inclusion highly likely.

Joseph Paintsil (LA Galaxy) – 76 → 81 OVR

With EA typically limiting MLS representation to one player and Messi likely taking a CAM spot, Paintsil’s hat-trick in Galaxy’s 4-1 victory positions him perfectly for a striker card.

Gift Monday (Washington Spirit) – 80 → 83 OVR

The NWSL’s representative scored a hat-trick in Washington’s 4-0 victory, continuing EA’s pattern of including one NWSL player weekly.

Reserve Predictions

The reserve spots typically feature lower-rated players who delivered exceptional performances:

• Diego Gomez (Brighton) – 73 → 80 OVR: Four goals in Brighton’s 6-0 cup victory
• Fabio Abreu (Beijing Guoan) – 74 → 80 OVR: Hat-trick with perfect match rating
• Ali Majrashi (Al-Ahli) – 70 → 80 OVR: Goal and assist with clean sheet bonus
• Marco Essimi (Dunkerque) – 62 → 80 OVR: Hat-trick in 6-2 victory
• Tolcay Cigerci (Energie Cottbus) – 69 → 80 OVR: Three assists in 5-0 win

Key Contenders Who Might Miss Out

Not everyone who performed well will make the cut. Here are notable players who could be snubbed:

Harry Kane (Bayern Munich)

Despite scoring twice, Kane already received a TOTW 1 card, making back-to-back inclusions unlikely. EA typically spaces out repeat selections unless performances are extraordinary.

Erling Haaland (Manchester City)

Two goals and an assist would normally guarantee inclusion, but like Kane, Haaland featured in TOTW 1. EA will likely prioritize fresh faces.

Robin Koch (Eintracht Frankfurt)

Scored twice as a center-back, but his team conceded four goals in a wild 6-4 victory. Defenders in high-scoring games rarely receive TOTW cards.

2026 Market Impact & Investment Tips

Based on my analysis, here’s what I expect for the market:

Pre-Release (Tuesday Night)

• Base cards of predicted players will rise 20-30%
• Invest in 83-84 rated cards for upcoming SBCs
• Sell any base versions of predicted TOTW players

Release Day (Wednesday 6 PM BST)

• Initial panic selling of base cards
• TOTW 3 cards will be overpriced for first 2 hours
• Best time to buy: Thursday-Friday when supply peaks

Investment Opportunities

1. Julian Alvarez base card: Will drop 40% at release – buy opportunity
2. Discard IFs: Any 81-82 rated TOTW cards near 10k coins
3. High-rated fodder: 85+ cards for upcoming Icon SBCs

How TOTW 3 Compares to Previous Weeks?

Looking at the overall quality, TOTW 3 appears weaker than its predecessors:

TOTW 1 Highlights:

• Erling Haaland (89 OVR)
• Harry Kane (89 OVR)
• Marcos Llorente (86 OVR)

TOTW 2 Highlights:

• Debinha (89 OVR)
• Eder Militao (86 OVR)
• Ryan Gravenberch (86 OVR)

TOTW 3 Expectations:

• Julian Alvarez (88 OVR) – Only standout card
• Limited 85+ rated options
• More focus on lower-rated performers

New Features in EA FC 26 TOTW

This year’s Team of the Week includes several new elements I’ve been tracking:

Cup Competition Inclusion

EA now considers performances from domestic cup competitions, expanding the player pool significantly. This change benefits players like Joelinton who delivered in the Carabao Cup.

PlayStyle Additions

Some TOTW cards receive new PlayStyles reflecting their real-world performances. For instance, Stanway might receive the “Incisive Pass” PlayStyle after her three-assist performance.

Slower Power Curve

EA’s commitment to a slower power curve means TOTW cards retain value longer. Unlike previous years where they became obsolete by November, these cards should remain viable through December.

Best TOTW 3 Cards for Your Ultimate Team

Based on predicted stats and in-game meta, here are my top picks:

Must-Have Cards:

1. Julian Alvarez – Elite striker with 5* weak foot potential
2. Georgia Stanway – Best value CDM with high/high work rates
3. Joelinton – Physical box-to-box midfielder perfect for Premier League squads

Budget Beasts:

1. Konrad Laimer – Versatile defender/midfielder under 30k
2. Igor Thiago – Pacey Premier League striker option
3. Armand Lauriente – Affordable Serie A winger with skills

Team Building with TOTW 3 Players

Here are optimal squad combinations using predicted TOTW 3 cards:

Budget Premier League Hybrid (Under 150k):

• GK: Regular gold keeper
• Defense: Guehi (TOTW 3) + regular golds
• Midfield: Joelinton (TOTW 3) as box-to-box
• Attack: Igor Thiago (TOTW 3) with pacey wingers

Meta La Liga Squad (300k+):

• Focus: Julian Alvarez (TOTW 3) as striker
• Support: Regular Griezmann CAM
• Wings: Pace merchants for through balls

Women’s Bundesliga Squad:

• Core: Georgia Stanway (TOTW 3)
• Links: Bayern triangle for chemistry
• Budget: Under 50k total

Frequently Asked Questions

When does TOTW 3 release in EA FC 26?

TOTW 3 releases on Wednesday, October 1, 2026 at 6 PM BST (10 AM PT / 1 PM ET). The cards remain in packs for exactly one week until the following Wednesday.

Will Lionel Messi definitely be in TOTW 3?

Based on his performance (2 goals, 1 assist) and being snubbed from TOTW 2 despite similar statistics, Messi has about an 85% chance of inclusion. EA rarely snubs the same player twice consecutively.

Are TOTW 3 cards worth investing in?

With EA’s slower power curve this year, TOTW cards retain value longer. Julian Alvarez and Georgia Stanway specifically offer excellent long-term value. However, wait 24-48 hours after release for prices to stabilize.

How do Cup TOTW cards differ from regular TOTW?

Cup TOTW cards feature a trophy icon but otherwise function identically to regular TOTW cards. They count for TOTW requirements in SBCs and receive the same stat boosts.

What’s the best way to pack TOTW 3 players?

Your best chances come from saved packs with multiple rare players. The 50k and 100k packs offer the highest probability, though odds remain low (approximately 2-3% for any TOTW player).

Should I sell my Julian Alvarez base card before TOTW 3?

Yes, if you own his base card, sell by Tuesday night. His price will drop 30-40% once the TOTW version releases, then gradually recover over 2-3 weeks.

Conclusion

TOTW 3 might not match the star power of previous weeks, but it offers excellent value opportunities for smart Ultimate Team builders. Julian Alvarez headlines a squad that emphasizes performance over reputation, with surprise inclusions from cup competitions adding variety.

I recommend focusing on the midfield options this week – Joelinton and Stanway offer meta-relevant stats at reasonable prices. Skip the defensive options unless you specifically need chemistry links, as better alternatives exist in the regular card pool.

Remember to check back Wednesday evening for the official TOTW 3 announcement. EA occasionally surprises us with unexpected inclusions, though my predictions typically achieve 75-80% accuracy based on historical tracking.

Ready to dominate with these new cards? Make sure your controller settings are optimized with my EA FC 26 controller guide and start building your dream squad with the best cheap players in FC 26.

What are your TOTW 3 predictions? Which player are you most excited about? Let me know in the comments below!