How to Vote for FIFA 24 Team of the Year (TOTY): A Comprehensive Guide
The FIFA Team of the Year (TOTY) is one of the most highly anticipated events in the FIFA Ultimate Team calendar. It’s a chance for fans to have their say in who they believe were the best footballers of the past year, and the resulting TOTY cards are some of the most powerful and sought-after items in the game. If you’re eager to participate and ensure your voice is heard, this comprehensive guide will walk you through the entire voting process step-by-step.
## What is FIFA Team of the Year (TOTY)?
The FIFA Team of the Year is an annual selection of the best 11 players in world football, as determined by a combination of EA Sports’ evaluation and votes from the FIFA community. These players are then immortalized in FIFA Ultimate Team with special, significantly boosted player items (TOTY cards). These cards typically feature incredible stats, making them highly desirable and extremely valuable in the transfer market. Being able to use these cards is a huge advantage.
The TOTY selection process generally considers player performances from the previous calendar year (January to December). EA Sports releases a shortlist of nominees, and the community votes for their preferred XI. The final TOTY squad usually consists of a goalkeeper, four defenders, three midfielders, and three attackers, mirroring a standard football formation (e.g., 4-3-3). Although the formation can change from year to year based on voting trends.
## When Does TOTY Voting Typically Start?
The timing of the TOTY voting period can vary slightly each year, but it generally takes place in **January**. EA Sports usually announces the nominees and opens the voting platform sometime in early to mid-January. Keep an eye on EA Sports FIFA social media channels (Twitter, Facebook, Instagram), the official FIFA website, and in-game notifications within FIFA 24 for the exact start date. Be ready and prepared to cast your vote as soon as the voting opens to avoid missing out. Don’t wait till the last minute, because often times the website will crash if there are too many requests.
## Step-by-Step Guide to Voting for FIFA 24 TOTY
Here’s a detailed breakdown of how to vote for the FIFA 24 Team of the Year:
**1. Stay Informed and Await the Announcement:**
* **Follow EA Sports FIFA Channels:** The most reliable way to know when voting opens is to follow EA Sports FIFA on their official social media channels (Twitter: @EASPORTSFIFA), their website (www.ea.com/fifa), and in-game notifications within FIFA 24. These channels will announce the nominees and the start of the voting period. Watch for official announcements.
* **Check Gaming News Websites:** Reputable gaming news websites and FIFA community forums are also excellent sources for staying updated on TOTY news and announcements. Some good websites include: Futbin, Dexerto, and Goal.com.
**2. Access the Voting Platform:**
* **Official FIFA Website:** The primary voting platform is usually located on the official EA Sports FIFA website (www.ea.com/fifa). Look for a dedicated TOTY section or banner on the homepage that links to the voting page.
* **In-Game Voting (if available):** In some years, EA Sports has also offered the option to vote directly within the FIFA game itself. Check the FIFA Ultimate Team menu for a TOTY voting option. This method makes it even easier to vote, and takes you straight to the correct page.
**3. Review the Nominees:**
* **Familiarize Yourself:** Once you access the voting platform, you’ll be presented with a list of nominees across different positions (Goalkeeper, Defenders, Midfielders, Attackers). Take your time to review the nominees and their performances over the past year. Consider factors like goals scored, assists, defensive contributions, clean sheets, and overall impact on their respective teams.
* **Research Player Stats:** If you’re not familiar with all the nominees, you can easily find their stats and performance data on football statistics websites like [https://www.whoscored.com/](https://www.whoscored.com/) or [https://www.transfermarkt.com/](https://www.transfermarkt.com/). This research will help you make informed decisions.
* **Consider Different Leagues:** Try to watch as many of the different leagues as possible. The Premier League gets the most views, but La Liga, Serie A, and the Bundesliga have excellent players too.
**4. Select Your TOTY XI:**
* **Choose Your Formation:** Before selecting individual players, consider the formation you want your TOTY squad to play in. The standard is 4-3-3, but other popular formations include 4-4-2, 4-2-3-1, and 3-5-2. Choose a formation that aligns with the strengths of the players you want to include.
* **Goalkeeper:** Select one goalkeeper from the list of nominees. Consider their clean sheet record, save percentage, and overall consistency throughout the year. Some notable goalkeepers from 2023 would include: Alisson Becker, Ederson, and Marc-Andre ter Stegen.
* **Defenders:** Choose four defenders. Prioritize players who have demonstrated exceptional defensive skills, tackling ability, interceptions, and positional awareness. Consider center-backs, full-backs, and wing-backs. Some of the best defenders over the last year have been: Ruben Dias, Virgil Van Dijk, and Achraf Hakimi.
* **Midfielders:** Select three midfielders. Look for players who excel in passing, tackling, creativity, and goal-scoring contributions from midfield. Consider central midfielders, attacking midfielders, and defensive midfielders. Top midfielders often include: Kevin De Bruyne, Rodri, and Jude Bellingham.
* **Attackers:** Choose three attackers. Prioritize players who have scored a significant number of goals, provided numerous assists, and consistently threatened opposition defenses. Consider strikers, wingers, and attacking midfielders. In this category, the top players are: Erling Haaland, Kylian Mbappe, and Harry Kane.
* **Drag and Drop:** The voting platform usually features a drag-and-drop interface, allowing you to easily move players into their respective positions within the formation. Simply drag the player’s icon from the nominee list to the desired position on the virtual pitch.
**5. Review and Submit Your Vote:**
* **Double-Check:** Before submitting your vote, carefully review your selected TOTY XI to ensure you’re happy with your choices. Make sure you’ve filled all the positions and haven’t accidentally selected the same player twice.
* **Confirm and Submit:** Once you’re satisfied with your selection, click the “Submit” or “Vote” button to finalize your vote. You may be required to confirm your vote or complete a CAPTCHA to prevent automated voting.
* **Confirmation Message:** After submitting your vote, you should receive a confirmation message indicating that your vote has been successfully recorded.
**6. Share Your TOTY Prediction (Optional):**
* **Social Media:** After voting, you can share your TOTY prediction on social media using the official FIFA hashtags (e.g., #FIFA24, #TOTY, #TeamOfTheYear). This is a great way to engage with the FIFA community and see what other players are voting for.
* **Forums and Communities:** Discuss your TOTY selections and reasoning on FIFA community forums and online groups. This can lead to interesting discussions and help you discover new players you may have overlooked.
## Tips for Making Informed TOTY Voting Decisions
* **Watch Football Regularly:** The best way to make informed TOTY voting decisions is to watch as much football as possible throughout the year. Follow different leagues, competitions, and international tournaments to get a comprehensive understanding of player performances.
* **Analyze Player Statistics:** Don’t rely solely on goals and assists when evaluating players. Consider other important statistics like pass completion rate, tackles, interceptions, key passes, and aerial duels won. These stats provide a more holistic view of a player’s contribution to their team.
* **Consider Positional Requirements:** When selecting defenders, focus on players who excel in defensive duties. When selecting midfielders, prioritize players who can both create chances and contribute defensively. When selecting attackers, look for players who are clinical in front of goal and can consistently threaten opposition defenses.
* **Think About Team Impact:** Consider the overall impact a player has on their team’s success. Did they play a crucial role in winning trophies or qualifying for major tournaments? Did they consistently elevate their team’s performance?
* **Don’t Just Vote for Popular Players:** While it’s tempting to vote for the most popular and well-known players, try to be objective and consider the performances of players who may not be as famous but have still had exceptional years. Look past the fame and base it on performance.
* **Be Mindful of Positional Balance:** Ensure your TOTY squad has a good balance of defensive and attacking players. Don’t overload your team with too many attackers at the expense of defensive solidity.
## Factors to Consider When Evaluating Nominees
When evaluating the nominees for FIFA 24 TOTY, keep the following factors in mind:
* **Goals and Assists:** These are the most obvious metrics for evaluating attacking players. However, consider the quality of the goals and assists, as well as the difficulty of the matches in which they were scored or assisted.
* **Defensive Contributions:** For defenders and defensive midfielders, consider their tackling ability, interceptions, clearances, blocks, and aerial duels won. Also, evaluate their positional awareness and ability to read the game.
* **Passing Accuracy and Creativity:** For midfielders, assess their passing accuracy, key passes, through balls, and ability to create chances for their teammates. Also, consider their vision and ability to dictate the tempo of the game.
* **Clean Sheets and Save Percentage:** For goalkeepers, consider their clean sheet record, save percentage, and overall consistency throughout the year. Also, evaluate their reflexes, shot-stopping ability, and command of their penalty area.
* **Trophies Won:** Consider the trophies and titles a player has won with their club and national team. Winning silverware is a testament to a player’s ability to perform under pressure and contribute to team success.
* **Overall Consistency:** Look for players who have consistently performed at a high level throughout the year, rather than those who have had occasional flashes of brilliance.
## Common Mistakes to Avoid When Voting
* **Voting Based Solely on Popularity:** Don’t just vote for the most popular players without considering their actual performances. Research and make informed decisions based on statistics and objective analysis.
* **Ignoring Lesser-Known Leagues:** Don’t only focus on players from the major European leagues. There are many talented players in other leagues around the world who deserve recognition.
* **Overlooking Defensive Players:** Don’t prioritize attackers at the expense of defenders and defensive midfielders. A well-balanced team needs strong players in all positions.
* **Not Considering Positional Requirements:** Ensure you’re selecting players who are well-suited to their respective positions. Don’t put an attacking midfielder at center-back, for example.
* **Forgetting About Goalkeepers:** Goalkeepers are often overlooked in TOTY voting, but they play a crucial role in their teams’ success. Don’t forget to select a deserving goalkeeper.
* **Waiting Until the Last Minute:** The TOTY voting period is usually limited, so don’t wait until the last minute to cast your vote. Vote early to ensure your voice is heard.
## What Happens After Voting?
After the voting period closes, EA Sports will tally the votes and combine them with their own internal evaluation to determine the final FIFA 24 Team of the Year squad. The TOTY squad is usually announced a few weeks after the voting period ends. The announcement is typically accompanied by a trailer showcasing the selected players and their in-game stats. The TOTY players are then released into FIFA Ultimate Team over several days, starting with the attackers, followed by the midfielders and defenders, and finally the goalkeeper. These cards are available in packs for a limited time and are highly sought-after by players due to their exceptional stats and abilities.
## Conclusion
VotING for the FIFA 24 Team of the Year is an exciting opportunity for FIFA fans to have their say in recognizing the best players in the world. By following this comprehensive guide, you can ensure that you make informed voting decisions and contribute to the selection of a deserving TOTY squad. Remember to stay informed, research player performances, consider positional requirements, and avoid common mistakes. Good luck, and may your favorite players make the final cut!