Traditionally the first promo of the year, the Ones to Watch promo celebrates the biggest transfers of the summer transfer window with the release of special, dynamic Cards that have the potential to upgrade in rating based on the transferred player's real-world performances, as well as the performances of their new clubs and, new for this year, their nations at the FIFA World Cup 2022™.
What can we expect from this year's Ones to Watch promo?
We can expect to see similar content to previous OTW promos for this year's promo, so there will be the main team with at least 11 players available in packs, as well as several OTW Cards available in various Squad Building Challenges and Objectives, however, due to the FIFA World Cup in November impacting this year’s football calendar, the promo has been shortened and will now only last for one week as opposed to the customary two week-long promos we usually get. This means we will only be getting one main team and one mini release this year, which will be released on the following dates:
- Sep 30th - Oct 7th: OTW Main Team
- Oct 2nd - Oct 7th: OTW Mini Release
The OTW Card you receive in the OTW pack you get for pre-ordering the Ultimate Edition will be based on when you open your pack, as explained further down in the article.
How do Ones to Watch Cards upgrade?
There are 3 ways OTW Cards can upgrade:
- Inform Upgrade: Whenever the player receives a qualifying performance-based Inform Card (Team of the Week Card or Man of the Match Card) in FUT 23 until the end of the 2022/23 domestic season.
- Wins to Watch Upgrade: Every OTW player is eligible for a one-time upgrade if their team wins 3 out of their next 8 domestic league games starting from 30th September. (The players do not have to feature in the games for them to count towards the upgrade).
- Nations to Watch Upgrade: OTW players will be eligible for a one-time upgrade if their national team wins any game at the FIFA World Cup 2022™. (The OTW players do not have to feature in the game, or be part of their nation’s squad to be eligible for the upgrade). Some OTW players will not be able to achieve this upgrade if their National team didn't qualify for the FIFA World Cup, such as Erling Haaland with Norway.
How long does it take for Ones to Watch Cards to upgrade?
Upgrades to OTW Cards can take a few hours to update in-game once a player has received a Team of the Week or Man of the Match Card, although it can take a shorter amount of time.
Wins to Watch and Nations to Watch upgrades will take place on the first Wednesday after the player's Club or National team achieves the upgrade requirements.
Who will receive a Ones to Watch Card?
Players who will be receiving OTW Cards will be announced via @EASPORTSFIFA on Twitter and @EASPORTSFUT on Instagram in the run-up to the global launch of FIFA 23 on September 30, 2022.
So far, 5 OTW Players have been officially revealed; Raheem Sterling, Richarlison, Erling Haaland, Darwin Núñez, and Ángel Di María, who was released on Monday via an SBC.
Below are a few more Players who are in with a good chance of receiving an OTW Card at some point during the promo:
How does the Ones to Watch Pre-Order offer work?
For those who pre-ordered the Ultimate Edition, you will receive an untradeable OTW Card when the promo kicks off on September 30th. The OTW Card you receive will be based on when you open your pack, per the below dates:
- Sep 30th - Oct 2nd: OTW Main Team Only
- Oct 2nd Onwards: OTW Main Team & Mini Release
So, if you pre-ordered the Ultimate Edition and received the pack, it’ll be worth hanging on to it until Sunday night so you’ll open it when all OTW Cards are available to be packed.
What happens if a Ones to Watch player is transferred/loaned to a different club?
If an OTW player transfers club or goes on loan during the course of the season, the OTW Card will remain unchanged until the player receives an upgrade at their new club, or receives the Nations to Watch upgrade. At that point, the OTW Card will be updated with the player's new club.
If a player transfers to another club before they receive their 'Wins to Watch' upgrade, they will no longer be eligible for the bonus upgrade.
If a player is no longer in the squad of the club their Card is released for and does not join a new club, they will no longer be eligible to receive any future additional upgrades. This includes the 'Wins to Watch' and ‘Nations to Watch’ upgrades.
How long will Ones to Watch Cards continue to receive upgrades?
OTW Cards will only upgrade based on performances in the 2022/23 domestic season.
So, that's all you need to know ahead of the OTW promo on Friday. Who're you hoping to see get an OTW Card? And which of the confirmed OTW players would you most like to pack?