FIFA 23 TOTY Honorable Mentions is one of the most talked-about special card releases in the FIFA Ultimate Team (FUT) community. Every year, the Team of the Year (TOTY) event celebrates the best football players in the world based on their real-life performances. However, not every outstanding player makes it into the final TOTY starting eleven. To recognize those who performed exceptionally well but narrowly missed out, EA Sports introduced the Honorable Mentions category in FIFA 23. These special cards quickly became popular among players due to their strong ratings, unique upgrades, and valuable in-game performance.
The FIFA 23 TOTY Honorable Mentions lineup added excitement to the TOTY promo because it expanded the pool of elite players available in Ultimate Team packs. It also gave fans a chance to use high-rated versions of their favorite football stars who were close to making the main TOTY squad. Understanding how these cards work, which players were included, and why they matter can help players appreciate the depth of the FIFA 23 Ultimate Team experience.
What Are FIFA 23 TOTY Honorable Mentions?
FIFA 23 TOTY Honorable Mentions are special upgraded player cards released as part of the Team of the Year promotional event. These cards are given to players who had outstanding performances throughout the year but did not receive enough votes or recognition to be included in the main TOTY starting XI or bench.
Instead of being overlooked completely, these players are rewarded with high-rated cards that reflect their real-life contributions. These cards are usually boosted versions of their standard gold items, often with significant improvements in pace, shooting, passing, defending, or overall stats.
Purpose of Honorable Mentions
The main purpose of TOTY Honorable Mentions is to recognize excellence beyond the final TOTY selection. Football is full of standout performances, and not all top players can fit into a limited squad of eleven starters and substitutes.
By introducing Honorable Mentions, EA Sports ensures that more deserving players are included in the celebration of the football season’s best performers.
How FIFA 23 TOTY Honorable Mentions Were Selected
The selection process for TOTY Honorable Mentions in FIFA 23 is based on a combination of real-world performance and community expectations. EA Sports evaluates players who had exceptional seasons but narrowly missed out on the final TOTY squad.
Factors in Selection
Several factors influence which players receive Honorable Mentions
- Consistent performance throughout the football season
- High number of goals, assists, or defensive contributions
- Impact in major competitions such as domestic leagues and international tournaments
- Community expectations and fan discussions
These factors ensure that the selected players are still among the best performers of the year.
Difference from Main TOTY Cards
While TOTY starting XI players receive the highest possible ratings and premium upgrades, Honorable Mentions are slightly lower in rating but still significantly boosted compared to their base cards.
This makes them highly desirable but slightly more accessible than the ultra-rare TOTY main cards.
Popular FIFA 23 TOTY Honorable Mentions Players
The FIFA 23 TOTY Honorable Mentions squad featured several well-known football stars who had impressive seasons. These players came from different leagues and positions, making the promo diverse and exciting.
Attacking Players
Many forwards and attacking midfielders were included due to their goal-scoring and creative performances. These players often received significant pace and shooting upgrades, making them highly effective in-game.
Midfield Stars
Midfielders in the Honorable Mentions category were recognized for their passing ability, vision, and control of the game. Their upgraded cards made them valuable for both attacking and defensive roles.
Defensive Players
Defenders and goalkeepers were also included, especially those who contributed to strong defensive records in their teams. These cards often featured improved defending and physical stats.
Impact on FIFA 23 Ultimate Team
The introduction of TOTY Honorable Mentions had a significant impact on FIFA 23 Ultimate Team gameplay. These cards added more variety to squad building and gave players additional options for high-rated teams.
Increased Squad Diversity
With more high-rated players available, users were able to build more diverse and competitive squads without relying solely on the main TOTY cards.
Market Value and Trading
TOTY Honorable Mentions cards also influenced the FUT transfer market. Due to their strong stats and limited availability, many of these cards held high market value during the promo period.
Players often invested in these cards for both gameplay performance and trading opportunities.
Gameplay Performance
In matches, Honorable Mentions cards performed at a very high level compared to standard gold or special cards. Their boosted attributes made them competitive in higher divisions and weekend league matches.
Why TOTY Honorable Mentions Are Important
The importance of FIFA 23 TOTY Honorable Mentions goes beyond just gameplay. These cards represent recognition for real-life football achievements and help bridge the gap between real-world football and virtual gaming.
Recognition of Player Performance
Many players who did not make the final TOTY lineup still had exceptional seasons. Honorable Mentions ensure their efforts are acknowledged in the game.
Enhanced Player Engagement
This promo keeps players engaged during the TOTY event by offering more pack openings, squad upgrades, and gameplay excitement.
Balanced Game Content
By offering multiple tiers of elite cards, FIFA 23 maintains a balanced content structure that caters to both casual and competitive players.
Comparison with Other Special Cards
FIFA 23 features many special card types, including TOTW (Team of the Week), FUT Heroes, and Icon cards. TOTY Honorable Mentions stand out because of their timing and quality.
Higher Ratings than Standard Specials
Compared to regular special cards, Honorable Mentions usually have significantly higher ratings and better in-game performance.
Closer to Elite-Level Cards
While not as powerful as main TOTY cards, they are closer to elite-level performance than most other special cards in the game.
Player Reactions to TOTY Honorable Mentions
The FIFA community generally responds positively to the introduction of Honorable Mentions. Players appreciate having more options during the TOTY event and enjoy using cards of popular footballers who narrowly missed the main team.
However, some players also discuss pack weight and availability, as these cards can still be difficult to obtain due to their limited release.
Future of Honorable Mentions in FIFA
The success of FIFA 23 TOTY Honorable Mentions suggests that similar concepts will likely continue in future editions of the game. EA Sports often expands promotional content based on player feedback and engagement.
Future versions may include even more detailed selections or additional upgrade systems to further enhance the experience.
FIFA 23 TOTY Honorable Mentions played an important role in expanding the Team of the Year celebration by recognizing players who delivered outstanding performances but did not make the final TOTY lineup. These cards added depth, excitement, and variety to Ultimate Team, giving players more opportunities to build competitive squads.
With strong upgrades, popular football stars, and significant in-game impact, Honorable Mentions became one of the most valuable and exciting parts of the FIFA 23 TOTY event. They highlight the importance of recognizing excellence beyond the top selections and continue to enhance the overall FIFA Ultimate Team experience.