Early access for EA Sports FC 27 has officially kicked off, and details regarding Season 1 are now clear. At IGGM.com, we believe the highlight is the return of Ones to Watch (OTW) cards – dynamic live cards that evolve throughout the season.
These cards don’t stay static; they receive upgrades based on the players’ real-world performances in FC 27. Even if their initial stats don’t blow you away, they remain valuable assets to hold on to for the long haul.
OTW Power Level
First, it’s important to note that Season 1 OTW cards won’t be found in standard packs. Instead, the primary ways to acquire them are through the seasonal tree, quests, and a select few via SBCs.
This means you don’t have to spend heaps of FIFA 27 coins opening packs just to get your hands on and keep using these players.
The roster for EA FC 27 Ones to Watch is largely set, and a common theme stands out: most of these players have switched clubs this season.
However, leaked data suggests that for most OTW cards, the difference compared to their standard gold cards is minimal – often just a slight boost to a single attribute, like Speed.
If a player’s base gold card has an OVR below 83, OTW version gets a slight bump; for instance, Adeyemi and Lacroix both have 82 OVR gold cards but were boosted to 83 OVR for their OTW versions.
IGGM.com strongly approves of this design, as it keeps gold cards relevant during the early stages of FIFA 27 and prevents the appearance of overpowered cards right at the start of the season.
There are a few standout players, though – like Summerville, who boasts 90 Speed, 86 Dribbling, and 80 Shooting, making him a solid choice for Left Wing.
On the other hand, Vuskovic is on the slower side; as a center back with only 60 Speed, you’ll need to be strategic about your squad composition if you decide to use him.
Given this, when deciding where to allocate your resources, you might want to save your EA FC coins for essential SBCs or high-impact players on Transfer Market.
Since there are plenty of ways to get OTW cards for free, spending heavily on them isn’t the most cost-effective strategy.
Especially early in the season, when your squad is still taking shape, allocating resources to positions that guarantee a boost to your starting lineup is usually a safer bet than chasing a live card that offers only marginal initial improvement.
OTW Cards in SBCs
As previously mentioned, in addition to seasonal tree and Quests, SBCs will also offer a limited number of OTW cards.
Current predictions suggest that Pedro Goncalves, Bouaddi, and Rodrigo Mora are the most likely candidates to appear in SBCs.
Pedro Goncalves is a left midfielder, but his speed is merely average in that role; his utility would increase significantly if he could be shifted to central midfield.
Bouaddi is a young Manchester City player who shone during the 2026 World Cup.
However, his 82 OVR rating likely isn’t the final version, given that previously leaked Ones to Watch cards all boasted a minimum rating of 83 OVR.
Finally, Rodrigo Mora is another SBC target worth keeping an eye on.
The release order for these three player cards remains unconfirmed; we will need to wait for further news regarding FC 27.
If you plan to complete these SBCs, it is best to assess your squad inventory as soon as possible. If you lack the necessary assets, you can buy FC 27 coins at IGGM.com to fund the acquisition of fodder cards – this helps you avoid the sharp price spikes that often occur once SBCs go live!
If there is no urgent need for a specific position, you might want to wait until OTW SBCs are officially released and the upgrade rules are clarified before making a decision.
After all, SBC submissions are irreversible, and since resources are limited early on, careful planning is far more sensible than acting impulsively.
OTW Upgrade Criteria
FIFA 27 OTW upgrades are primarily tied to a player’s individual performance; winning the league’s Player of the Month award typically results in a +1 OVR boost.
Players also have the chance to earn a +1 OVR upgrade by making Team of the Week or by receiving special cards – such as Star Performers – based on performances in non-league competitions.
Additionally, OTW cards factor in the performance of the player’s club: if the club wins three out of six designated domestic league matches, the card receives a +1 OVR upgrade.
We are still awaiting official confirmation regarding which specific matches will count toward upgrade criteria; however, IGGM.com believes that for players holding OTW cards, tracking the schedules and form of the players’ respective clubs is far more valuable than simply waiting for pack openings.
Overall, the return of Ones to Watch cards in FUT 27 – available as free or low-cost live items – is a huge boost for early squad building; while they may not immediately outperform standard gold cards by a wide margin, they have the potential to appreciate in value as the season progresses.
IGGM.com recommends completing the seasonal tree and objectives to acquire OTW cards first, and then tackling SBCs based on your specific positional needs!