Team of the Year season is always one of the most exciting periods in Ultimate Team, and in FC 26, TOTY Honourable Mentions combined with the Evolution (Evo) system has created one of the most powerful—and overlooked—ways to dominate the meta. While many players chase ultra-expensive TOTY cards, smart managers are quietly crushing Weekend League and Rivals using carefully selected Honourable Mentions evolved into FIFA 26 Coins absolute monsters.

This guide breaks down why TOTY Honourable Mentions Evo picks are meta-breaking, how to choose the best candidates, and how to use them to gain a competitive edge without draining your coin balance.

Why TOTY Honourable Mentions Are Perfect for Evolutions

TOTY Honourable Mentions cards sit in a unique sweet spot. They already have:

High base stats

Meta-friendly body types

Strong playstyle traits

Affordable price tags compared to full TOTY cards

When paired with Evolutions, these cards can rival—or even outperform—icons, TOTYs, and premium promo players.

The key advantage is stat efficiency. Honourable Mentions often start with balanced attributes, meaning Evo boosts don't get “wasted” on irrelevant stats. Instead, Evolutions push them straight into elite-tier territory where pace, dribbling, defending, or shooting hit critical meta thresholds.

Understanding the FC 26 Meta First

Before selecting Evo picks, you need to understand what actually wins games in FC 26. The current meta heavily favors:

Explosive pace on the wings

Agile dribblers with high balance

Press-resistant midfielders

Defenders with recovery speed and physical presence

Forwards with quick shooting animations

TOTY Honourable Mentions already align well with these needs, making them ideal Evo foundations.

Best Positions for TOTY Honourable Mentions Evo Picks

1. Fullbacks and Wingbacks

Fullbacks are arguably the strongest Evo investments in FC 26. TOTY Honourable Mentions fullbacks often have:

90+ stamina

Strong defensive awareness

Decent crossing and dribbling

After Evolutions, they become perfect overlap-and-recover machines capable of locking down elite wingers while still contributing offensively. Meta tactics rely heavily on fullbacks for width, making this one of the most impactful upgrades.

2. Box-to-Box Midfielders

Honourable Mentions midfielders are Evo gold. Evolutions can push:

Short passing and vision into elite tiers

Defensive stats high enough to press aggressively

Dribbling to resist constant pressure

An evolved TOTY Honourable Mentions midfielder can outperform expensive icons because they fit the FC 26 pressing and transition meta perfectly.

3. Agile Wingers

Pace is still king in FC 26, and Honourable Mentions wingers with already high acceleration become devastating after Evolutions. With boosted dribbling, shooting, and weak foot upgrades, these players turn into unstoppable 1v1 threats.

The biggest advantage here is unpredictability—most opponents don't know the exact stat ceiling of your evolved winger, giving you a surprise factor in competitive matches.

4. Meta Center-Backs

TOTY Honourable Mentions defenders are often overlooked, but Evolutions can push them into elite status. Boosting:

Acceleration and sprint speed

Defensive awareness

Strength and aggression

…creates center-backs who can hold a high defensive line without getting burned. In a meta where through balls and cutbacks dominate, this is a massive advantage.

What to Look for in an Evo Candidate

Not every Honourable Mentions card is worth evolving. The best Evo picks share these traits:

Good body type (lean or unique preferred)

High base pace or agility

Strong work rates

Balanced stats, not overly specialized

Good playstyles that synergize with Evolutions

Avoid cards with extremely low agility, balance, or stamina—even Evolutions can't fully fix those weaknesses.

Evo Strategy: Don't Rush

One of the biggest mistakes players make is instantly locking a card into the first available Evolution. Smart players plan ahead.

Pro Evo tips:

Check future Evo requirements before committing

Leave room for multiple Evolution paths

Prioritize Evolutions that boost pace, dribbling, or defensive awareness

Avoid over-upgrading shooting on non-attacking players

A well-planned Evo path can turn a good Honourable Mentions card into a club legend that stays relevant for months.

Beating Pay-to-Win Squads

This is where TOTY Honourable Mentions Evo picks truly shine. While other players rely on raw stats from expensive cards, evolved Honourable Mentions often:

Fit tactics better

Feel smoother in gameplay

Outperform expectations due to animations and balance

Many high-division players report better results with evolved Honourable Mentions than with standard TOTY cards because Evolutions tailor players directly to the meta.

Squad Building Advantages

Another huge benefit is chemistry flexibility. Honourable Mentions often come from popular leagues and nations, making it easier to link them into hybrid squads. This allows you to:

Mix Evolutions with SBC players

Avoid overpriced meta cards

Build competitive squads on a budget

Coins saved can be reinvested into depth, substitutes, or future Evolutions.

Final Thoughts

TOTY Honourable Mentions Evo picks are one of the smartest ways to crush the cheap FIFA 26 Coins meta. They combine affordability, flexibility, and elite performance in a way few other cards can match. While others chase flashy blue cards, the real edge belongs to players who understand Evolutions and use them strategically.

If you want to dominate Rivals, compete in Weekend League, and stay ahead of the curve without breaking the bank, TOTY Honourable Mentions Evolutions are the ultimate meta weapon in FC 26.