FC 26 Team of The Week 10 Predictions!

With qualification on the line for many nations we take a look at those who stepped up to help their nations qualify for the World Cup. Headlining we have the likes of Neves’ hat trick, Mapi Leon’s derby day performance and Martinez’s goal and assist.

Timothy Fayulu - GK - 69 > 83 OVR

Two penalty saves (shootout) / Nigeria 1 (3) - DR Congo 1 (4)

We saw this once before with the Netherlands controversially subbing on Krul for a penalty shootout. It worked then and it’s worked again here. Nigeria and DR Congo went to penalties during their World Cup qualification final and Fayulu was subbed on just for the penalty shootout. He proceeded to save two penalties, securing a huge upset and sending DR Congo through to the Inter-confederation playoffs.

Julian Ryerson - RB - 79 > 86 OVR

Two assists / Norway 4 - Estonia 1 / 8.7 Sofascore Rating

Norway qualified for the World Cup with a perfect eight wins from eight matches, meaning that group favourites Italy will have to go through the play offs. Both Haaland and Sorloth scored twice, but with recent promotional inclusions for both players, it is Ryerson who I feel gets the nod. The Dortmund defender provided two assists for his country during the 4-1 win over Estonia

Mapi Leon - CB - 89 > 90 OVR

One assist and clean sheet / Barcelona 4 - Real Madrid 0 / 8.7 Sofascore Rating

Although this is a fixture heavily dominated by Barcelona it is still the biggest match in the division each season. I fully expect an IF to occur from the match and with Pajor’s double being ruled out due to her promotional card it leaves the door open for Mapi Leon. She received the highest rating from the match after providing an assist alongside her clean sheet during the dominant victory.

Josko Gvardiol - CB - 84 > 86 OVR

One goal / Croatia 3 - Faroe Islands 1 / 8.6 Sofascore Rating

There were several defensive options available for selection this week, but I am largely opting to include those who secured qualification as a result of their wins. This helps Gvardiol’s case, with the Croatian scoring one of their three goals during a 3-1 win over the Faroe Islands

Malo Gusto - RB - 79 > 83 OVR

Two assists / Azerbaijan 1 - France 3 / 8.8 Sofascore Rating

France confirmed qualification to the World Cup with two wins this week, meaning they dropped just two points in the group stage. Gusto looks set to receive an IF after he provided two assists during their second fixture, a 3-1 away win over Azerbaijan.

Angela Sosa - CM - 81 > 84 OVR

One goal, one assist / Alhama 1 - Madrid 4 / 7.7 Sofascore Rating

As we reached the final few positions this week I began to seriously struggle for options. Sosa scored once and assisted another during a 4-1 Madrid win, but with such an average match rating I would usually not consider her.

Joao Neves - CDM - 85 > 86 OVR

Hat trick / Portugal 9 - Armenia 1 / 9.9 Sofascore Rating

With Portugal recording the biggest win in terms of scoreline this weekend with a 9-1 victory over Armenia, an IF is inevitable. There were a few options, but it likely comes down to either Neves or Fernandes, both of whom scored hat tricks. I have opted for Neves, with the PSG man playing deeper on the pitch.

Saki Kumagai - CDM - 82 > 85 OVR

Two goals / Aston Villa 1 - London City 3 / 9 Sofascore Rating

While the WSL has often seen just one IF per week, with the latest batch of international fixtures meaning there were limited matches played, I am not opposed to including more this week. One of those players looks set to be Kumagi after she scored a brace for London City during their 3-1 away win over Aston Villa.

Lautaro Martinez - ST - 88 > 89 OVR

One goal, one assist / Angola 0 - Argentina 2 / 8.8 Sofascore Rating

A rather bizarre friendly here saw Angola host Argentina. While friendlies won’t hold as much weight for IF inclusions, previous international breaks have seen a few included. With limited big names available for selection, the Argentine stands out for me. Martínez scored once and assisted the other during the 2-0 Argentina win.

Mikel Oyarzabal - ST - 82 > 85 OVR

Two goals, one assist / Georgia 0 - Spain 4 / 8.6 Sofascore Rating

Oyarzabal continues to prove himself as the starting striker for Spain with consistently strong performances. Spain recorded a 4-0 away win over Georgia, which practically secures their qualification for the World Cup. Oyarzabal scored twice and assisted another during the win, claiming MOTM in the process.

Nick Woltemade - ST - 79 > 86 OVR

Two goals / Germany 2 - Luxembourg 0 / 7.9 Sofascore Rating

Germany are still fighting with Slovakia for the top spot in Group A, with both sides on twelve points from five matches. A Woltemade goal ensured Germany went into the final fixture with the upper hand in goal difference, meaning they just need to draw with Slovakia to secure their spot without the playoffs.

Substitutes

Kerstin Casparij - RB - 79 > 83 OVR

Two assists, clean sheet / Man City 3 - Man United 0 / 7.9 Sofascore Rating

Casparji is often among the attacking returns but is still yet to receive an IF, largely due to her average match ratings. While the same can be said about this match, with it being a Manchester Derby I expect her to sneak in. Two assists from a gold defender is always something that stands out in normal weeks let alone an international one.

Gianluca Mancini - CB - 83 > 86 OVR

Goal and clean sheet / Moldova 0 - Italy 2 / 8.4 Sofascore Rating

While Italy will be disappointed with their qualification campaign after failing to qualify automatically, their 2-0 win away at Moldova secured their playoff spot. Mancini scored one of the two goals and was named MOTM.

Croix Bethune - CM - 78 > 83 OVR

One goal / Washington 2 - Portland 0 / 8.3 Sofascore Rating

With the NWSL playing their semi final playoffs this week, I was expecting an IF from both matches. An IF from Shaw is not possible due to her being in the current side, and the division won’t miss out entirely, which makes Bethune’s inclusion highly probable. She scored one of Washington’s two goals as they secured their spot in the final with a 2-0 win over Portland.

Andrija Zivkovic - RM - 78 > 83 OVR

Two assists / Serbia 2 - Latvia 0 / 7.6 Sofascore Rating

Although this one wasn’t enough for Serbia, who have now been eliminated from the World Cup, Zivkovic’s duo of assists could still be enough to see him claim a spot in TOTW 10. As previously stated, the competition for spots this week is low, so a couple of contributions really do stand out.

Dan Ndoye - LM - 79 > 83 OVR

One goal, one assist / Switzerland 4 - Sweden 1 / 8.2 Sofascore Rating

It’s been a woeful qualification process for Sweden, who have managed just one point from their opening five games, leaving them bottom of the table as it stands. Switzerland currently lead the group after their 4-1 win over Sweden on Saturday. Ndoye scored once and assisted another during that match, and in a week with minimal fixtures I would be surprised if he doesn’t make the cut come Wednesday.

Tomas Bobcek - ST - 66 > 83 OVR

One goal / Slovakia 1 - Northern Ireland 0 / 7.6 Sofascore Rating

It reached a point where I simply had to take punts in this side. Bobcek is one of those, coming off the bench to score a late winner and secure at least a playoff spot from Group A with a 1-0 win over Northern Ireland.

Yeremay Hernandez - ST - 76 > 83 OVR

One goal, two assists / Cordoba 1 - Deportivo 3 / 8 Sofascore Rating

The second tier of Spain is often a division that benefits from international breaks in terms of IF selections, and this week looks to be the same with a couple of inclusions seemingly likely. The first of those is Hernandez, who was involved in all three Deportivo goals, scoring once and assisting the other two.