Manchester United’s midfield maestro Bruno Fernandes has emerged as the highest‑rated player in the EA SPORTS FC 26 Premier League Team of the Season (TOTS). His outstanding performances throughout the campaign in England’s top division earned him the top spot, placing him ahead of all his peers in the virtual rating system used by the game developers.
Fernandes’s rating reflects his consistent influence on United’s attack, his knack for scoring crucial goals, and his ability to dictate the tempo of matches from midfield. Joining him in the starting eleven are several other standout performers.
Manchester City’s goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma, who has been a rock between the posts for the defending champions, secured a place alongside Dominik Szoboszlai, the Hungarian winger whose creativity and goal contributions have made him a fan favourite. Both players share the honour of being named in the starting XI of the season’s elite squad. The TOTS also highlighted a number of breakthrough players who earned starting positions for the first time in their careers. Szoboszlai’s inclusion mirrors that of Antoine Semenyo, the young winger who finally broke into the starting lineup after a season of steady development.
Likewise, Rayan Cherki, the talented French attacker from City, earned his debut appearance in the team during his first season in the Premier League, following in Donnarumma’s footsteps. Erling Haaland continued his dominance in the virtual world, marking his third consecutive appearance on the EA SPORTS FC Team of the Season. The Norwegian striker’s presence pushes Manchester City’s total to four players named in this edition of the TOTS, underscoring the club’s depth of quality across the pitch. Arsenal also made a strong showing, with four of its players earning spots on the list.
Gabriel, the versatile defender, Declan Rice, the midfield enforcer, Jurrien Timber, the composed centre‑back, and William Saliba, the emerging defensive talent, all represented the Gunners in the prestigious lineup. Chelsea’s full‑back Marc Cucurella rounded out the list of named starters, adding his own brand of attacking flair to the squad. Beyond the starting eleven, several young talents were recognised as emerging prospects, even though they did not make the final eleven. Hugo Ekitike, James Garner and Lewis Hall were all highlighted as TOTS breakthrough items, signalling that they are players to watch in the coming seasons.
Some notable names missed out on a starting role and were placed among the substitutes. David Raya, Igor Thiago and Reece James are among those who, despite solid performances, were relegated to the bench in the virtual selection. The Women’s Super League also received its own Team of the Season. Manchester City’s Bunny Shaw topped the ratings for the women’s side, leading a squad that includes Manchester United’s Jess Park and Maya Le Tissier.
Chelsea’s record signing Alyssa Thompson made the team in her debut season, while Arsenal’s Katie McCabe and Mariona Caldentey were also honoured. The release of the TOTS coincided with a range of promotional material for the Premier League. Fans can watch free highlights of the league, access live tables, and enjoy coverage through the Sky Sports app for Sky subscribers. Those without a Sky subscription are offered instant access options with no contract required, ensuring that everyone can stay up‑to‑date with the latest scores, standings and match analysis.
Below is a snapshot of the full bench for the Premier League TOTS, illustrating the depth of talent recognised by EA SPORTS FC 26: Goalkeepers and Defenders on the bench: David Raya (93), Reece James (91), Virgil van Dijk (95), Lewis Hall (90), Granit Xhaka (91), James Garner (90), Bruno Guimarães (92), Enzo Fernández (93), Hugo Ekitike (93), João Pedro (92), Igor Thiago (92). In the women’s category, the bench includes: Hannah Hampton (92) – Chelsea, Kerstin Casparij (96) – Manchester City, Maya Le Tissier (95) – Manchester United, Tōko Koga (93) – Tottenham Hotspur, Katie McCabe (92) – Arsenal, Yui Hasegawa (94) – Manchester City, Jess Park (94) – Manchester United, Mariona Caldentey (96) – Arsenal, Alyssa Thompson (95) – Chelsea, Vivianne Miedema (93) – Manchester City, Khadija Shaw (97) – Manchester City. Additional bench players for the women’s side are Freya Godfrey (91), Aoba Fujino (91) and Olivia Holdt (90).
Beyond the awards, EA SPORTS FC 26 also promoted a Super 6 competition, offering fans a chance to win a £250,000 prize pool. Entry to the competition is free, encouraging widespread participation and adding an extra layer of excitement for supporters of the game and the sport alike.
Overall, the EA SPORTS FC 26 Premier League Team of the Season celebrates the exceptional talent displayed across both the men’s and women’s leagues during the campaign. From seasoned stars like Bruno Fernandes and Erling Haaland to emerging prospects such as Hugo Ekitike and Antoine Semenyo, the list captures a snapshot of football excellence that will be remembered by gamers and football enthusiasts alike.