With the release of EA Sports FC 26 drawing ever closer, fans are eagerly awaiting the new year’s player ratings.

Every player ratings change represents a major shakeup in football, especially after this eventful season, which will inevitably see significant changes in the rankings of top players.

So, the question is, when will FUT 26 player ratings be released? Which players will buck the trend and rise, and who will unfortunately drop? Who will ultimately secure the top spot?

When Will The Player Of The Year Be Announced?

Let’s first discuss the most pressing issue: when the ratings will be released. While there’s no official confirmation yet, based on the release of FIFA 25 last year, the first batch of ratings will likely be released in late August or early September.

However, players familiar with EA’s strategy know that they never release all player ratings at once. Instead, they release the top players in each league in batches.

This means that while we may see the ratings of the Premier League’s top stars in August, the top players in Bundesliga and Ligue 1 may have to wait a few weeks.

Let’s talk about rating predictions. In mid-August, players can use predictions to build a highly competitive Ultimate Team. Having a sufficient reserve of FC 26 Coins to acquire players with high ratings and superior attributes is crucial.

While the final results are still unknown, judging by their performance this season, some players are clearly trending up and down.

Who Will Rise To The Top And Who Will Drop?

For example, Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah, who helped his team win the championship last season with explosive goals and assists, currently has an in-game rating of 89. This time, he’s likely to see a level up.

His teammate Virgil van Dijk also performed solidly, and his rating increase is well-deserved.

PSG’s Ousmane Dembélé is even more promising. He was rated 86 in FC 25, but as the core of PSG’s Ligue 1 and Champions League-winning teams, he’s in hot form this season and is likely to see a significant increase in his rating.

As for cover stars Jude Bellingham and Jamal Musiala, while both are capable, their performances this season have lagged behind those of Salah and Dembélé, making their bid for the top rating a challenge.

In women’s football, Ballon d’Or Féminin winner Aitana Bonmatí has been absolutely dominant—she defended La Liga title with Barcelona and reached Champions League and Women’s European Championship finals. With these results, her overall rating of 91 is likely to remain stable.

As for Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappé, despite their respective clubs Manchester City and Real Madrid having underperformed overall this season, their individual statistics remain impressive. Their current rating of 91 is likely to remain, though a one-point drop is possible to make way for players in better form.

Another player who could see a drop in rating is Rodri. Due to injuries since the start of the 2024-25 season, his appearances and performances have been limited, and his overall rating is likely to decline as a result.

Overall, the player ratings for EA FC 26 remain uncertain. While the upgrades for Salah and Dembélé are worth anticipating, whether Haaland and Mbappé’s ratings can hold steady, and the extent of Rodri’s injury impact, will all be revealed in late August or early September. For players, these changes will not only impact lineups but also provide a clearer picture of the evolution of football over the past season. Let’s look forward to the final ratings!