The dust has barely settled on a truly chaotic summer 2025 transfer window, and the Ultimate Team community is already buzzing. Superstars swapped clubs in record-breaking deals, wonderkids made their big-money moves, and now, we stand on the cusp of the first, and arguably most exciting, promo of the year: Ones to Watch (OTW). This is the official kickoff to the FC 26 season, featuring dynamic special cards for the summer’s biggest transfers. For the newcomers, these aren’t just static cards with a fancy design; they are live items that upgrade throughout the season based on a player’s real-world performances. If the player gets a Team of the Week or Man of the Match item, their OTW card gets a permanent boost. It’s a fantasy-football-meets-Ultimate-Team hybrid that makes for the most thrilling investments in the game.
The speculation is running wild on every social media platform, but we’ve analyzed the biggest summer transfers, considered the fan hype, and put together our definitive FC 26 OTW Predictions. This is the full team we believe will be headlining the first major promo of FUT 26.
The Marquee Signings: Absolute Locks for the Team
These are the global superstars whose transfers dominated the headlines for months. It’s not a matter of if they’ll get an OTW card, but how high their ceiling is. These players are the crown jewels of our FC 26 OTW Predictions.
Victor Osimhen (Napoli → Chelsea)
The biggest Premier League transfer of the summer, Chelsea finally paid the king’s ransom to get their world-class number nine. After another prolific season in Serie A, Osimhen’s move to Stamford Bridge makes him the undisputed poster boy for this OTW team.
What to Expect In-Game: His base card will instantly be one of the most terrifying in the game, likely boasting 90+ pace, elite finishing, and the aerial presence to be a nightmare on crosses. With the ‘Power Header’ and ‘Rapid+’ PlayStyles, he’s a complete forward. With the kind of service he will get at Chelsea, he has a high possibility of receiving several improvements and can become a 90+ card by Christmas.
Jamal Musiala (Bayern Munich → Manchester City)
The signing launched a fuse that swept Europe and City had obtained one of the top young playmakers in the world. The fluent manner of Musiala is already a legend and the system of Pep Guardiola is likely to introduce him into new dimensions of creativity.
What to Expect In-Game: This OTW card will be a dream for players who love to skill. Expect 5-star skills, a 4-star weak foot, and the ‘Technical+’ PlayStyle as standard. He will feel incredibly fluid on the ball, and any upgrades will push his shooting and passing into the elite tier. He is a guaranteed lock and a prime candidate for a half-dozen upgrades throughout the season.
Florian Wirtz (Bayer Leverkusen Real Madrid)
After an otherworldly season that won the Bundesliga, Wirtz moved to one of the world’s giants. Signing up with a team that is full of talent, his creativity and vision will be for Scotland.
What to Expect In-Game: Wirtz’s OTW will be a CAM’s dream, with incredible base passing, dribbling, and long shots. His card will likely feature the ‘Incisive Pass+’ and ‘Tiki Taka’ PlayStyles, making him the ultimate creator for your Ultimate Team squad. He’s a centerpiece of this promo.
The High-Potential Stars: Future Superstars
These are the talented youngsters who made a big move to a bigger stage. Investing in these special cards early on could pay off massively, as a breakout season can turn them into a top-tier meta player worth a fortune. For anyone following FC 26 OTW Predictions, these are the ones to watch.
Benjamin Šeško (RB Leipzig → Arsenal)
Arsenal secured their long-term striker solution with the towering and talented Slovenian. Šeško offers a rare combination of height (6’4″), speed, and surprising technical ability. Given Arsenal’s attacking style, he’ll have plenty of opportunities to grab the in-form upgrades needed to become truly elite. This is a classic OTW investment.
Johan Bakayoko (PSV → Liverpool)
After tearing up the Eredivisie with his blistering pace and dazzling skills, Bakayoko’s move to Anfield makes him one of the most exciting prospects in the Premier League. His base OTW card will already be a meta-abuser with its 93+ pace, but a few upgrades could make him one of the very best right-wingers in the entire game.
Nico Williams (Athletic Bilbao → Aston Villa)
In a major coup, Aston Villa triggered the release clause for the electrifying Spanish winger. Known for his raw speed and direct dribbling, Williams brings a new dimension to Villa’s attack. His OTW card will be an incredible starter option for Premier League teams, and with his high work rate, he is sure to be involved in enough goals to pick up upgrades.
The Dark Horses and Fan Favorites
The OTW cards do not all need to be of a top-six club. These are the transfers that our attention has been drawn to and will make outstanding low-cost starting lineup cards, after all, the biggest transfers in the summer take place all through the leagues.
- Crysencio Summerville (Leeds United → Borussia Dortmund): Became a household name at Leeds when he promoted the club to the Premier League via a Player of the Season performance, but he was later picked up by Dortmund. He’s exactly the kind of exciting, fast, and high-potential player that the OTW promo loves to feature as a more accessible option.
- Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall (Leicester City → Newcastle United): A true engine in midfield, his move to a Champions League-contending Newcastle side is a fantastic story. His OTW card would be a well-rounded, reliable box-to-box midfielder with the ‘Relentless’ PlayStyle, perfect for any starter squad.
- Daichi Kamada (Lazio → Crystal Palace): The Japanese international is bringing his expertise in terms of technical proficiency and creativity to the Premier League. This is a classic OTW “dark horse”—an affordable card with great stats that could become amazing with just one or two upgrades.
The first promo of Ultimate Team is just around the corner, and it promises to kick off the FUT 26 season with a bang. These dynamic special cards are the first major chase items of the year, and our FC 26 OTW Predictions have you covered. Let us know who you think we missed!