To shine in Champions, Division Rivals, or Tournaments, you’ll need to pair meta players with the best formation and custom tactics available in EA FC 26. The latest entry in the franchise sees the introduction of new Player Roles alongside the return of its predecessor’s tactical options. This means creating tactical setups is largely the same, but some changes to the meta become evident almost immediately. With this in mind, we’ve put together the best formations and custom tactics to use in FC 26 Ultimate Team.
EA FC 26 Best Formations and Tactics
We’ve listed five of the meta formations to use in EA FC 26 below, all of which cater to different playstyles.
4-2-3-1 (2)
Tactics
- Tactical Preset: Custom
- Formation: 4-2-3-1 Wide
- Build-Up Style: Balanced
- Defensive Approach: Balanced
- Line Height: 50
Player Roles
- GK: Sweeper Keeper/Balanced
- CB: Defender/Defend
- CB: Defender/Defend
- LB: Fullback/Defend
- RB: Fullback/Defend
- CDM: Box Crasher/Balanced
- CDM: Deep Lying Playmaker/Build-Up
- CAM: Playmaker/Balanced
- LM: Inside Forward/Balanced
- RM: Inside Forward/Balanced
- ST: Advanced Forward/Attack
It’s early days, but the 4-2-3-1 Wide has already emerged as the most well-rounded formation in FC 26. With all these Player Roles in place, you’re looking at a balanced approach in attack and defence. Your backline remains astute, with fullbacks holding their positions instead of bombing forward. A midfielder drops deep to help facilitate the build-up, while their partner looks for opportunities to pop up in the box and grab some goals.
Up top, we’ve got wide midfielders cutting inside and flooding central areas to create some sweeping attacking maneuvers. However, they’ll still pitch in on the defensive side of things by tracking any runners on their designated flanks. The best thing about this meta formation is that you’re unlikely to concede numerical superiority in any area of the pitch, which is an excellent foundation to build on.
4-4-1-1 (2)
Tactics
- Tactical Preset: Custom
- Formation: 4-4-1-1 Midfield
- Build-Up Style: Balanced
- Defensive Approach: High
- Line Height: 70
Player Roles
- GK: Goalkeeper/Defend
- CB: Defender/Defend
- CB: Defender/Defend
- LB: Fullback/Balanced
- RB: Fullback/Balanced
- CM: Box-to-Box/Balanced
- CM: Box-to-Box/Balanced
- CAM: Playmaker/Balanced
- LM: Winger/Balanced
- RM: Winger/Balanced
- ST: Advanced Forward/Attack
This tactical setup needs skilled players for smooth execution, since you’ll have to keep a high line and manually track back to prevent turnovers. However, this tradeoff is worth it if you want to play some truly beautiful football. The Player Roles allow for fullbacks to push forward and create wide overloads, while the striker arrives in the six-yard box for low crosses or headers. Both B2B midfielders will help you lay siege around the opposition box, freeing up the CAM to weave their magic.
4-3-3 (4)
Tactics
- Tactical Preset: Custom
- Formation: 4-3-3 Attack
- Build-Up Style: Short Passing
- Defensive Approach: Balanced
- Line Height: 50
Player Roles
- GK: Goalkeeper/Defend
- CB: Defender/Defend
- CB: Defender/Defend
- LB: Fullback/Balanced
- RB: Fullback/Balanced
- CM: Box-to-Box/Balanced
- CM: Box-to-Box/Balanced
- CAM: Playmaker/Balanced
- LM: Winger/Balanced
- RM: Winger/Balanced
- ST: Advanced Forward/Attack
Similar to the 4-4-1-1, this FC 26 formation offers plenty of attacking width and support, but with a more conservative defensive approach. The line is pushed back significantly to reduce the chances of counter-attacks via long balls, while the build-up style is more patient and reliant on stringing together passes. If your style of play falls in line with the famed Tiki-Taka, then this 4-3-3 should be your go-to.
4-4-2
Tactics
- Tactical Preset: Custom
- Formation: 4-2-2 (Flat)
- Build-Up Style: Counter
- Defensive Approach: Balanced
- Line Height: 50
Player Roles
- GK: Goalkeeper/Defend
- CB: Defender/Defend
- CB: Defender/Defend
- LB: Fullback/Defend
- RB: Fullback/Defend
- CM: Deep Lying Playmaker/Build-Up
- CM: Playmaker/Attack
- LM: Inside Forward/Balanced
- RM: Winger/Balanced
- ST: False 9/Build-Up
- ST: Advanced Forward/Attack
You can’t go wrong with the classic: Strike partnership up top, base of four in the middle, and a backline that refuses to budge. These are the ingredients for a resolute 4-4-2 that is extremely fun to play but requires a ton of concentration to avoid conceding goals.
The tactical setup revolves around the front two, so it’s crucial to get the striker combination right. What you’re looking for is a tall, clinical frontman that can make runs in-behind, paired with a silky forward that can drop deep to find the wide threats or progress past a couple of defenders themself. Be conservative when it comes to manually dragging midfielders forward since you could get caught out pretty easily after being dispossessed.
5-4-1
Tactics
- Tactical Preset: Custom
- Formation: 5-4-1 (Flat)
- Build-Up Style: Counter
- Defensive Approach: Balanced
- Line Height: 59
Player Roles
- GK: Sweeper Keeper/Balanced
- CB: Ball-Playing Defender/Defend
- CB: Defender/Defend
- CB: Ball-Playing Defender/Defend
- LB: Attacking Wingback/Support
- RB: Attacking Wingback/Support
- CM: Playermaker/Roaming
- CM: Holding/Defend
- LM: Inside Forward/Attack
- RM: Inside Forward/Attack
- ST: Advanced Forward/Attack
A list of the best FC 26 formations and tactics cannot be complete without a ratty three-at-the-back. This 5-4-1 is built to frustrate opponents and deny attackers any space before delivering the ultimate sucker punch via a lethal counter. There’s no messing about here: three center-backs guarding the box, two wingbacks supplying the width, and an attack so narrow that the opponent’s AI won’t be sure who to track.
Mastering it takes practice, and you might go on a losing streak initially. But once you’ve paired it with the right set of players, there really is no going back.
And that wraps up our guide on the best formations and custom tactics in EA FC 26. The best formations are likely to change as the game’s meta evolves, so we’ll be sure to update this article accordingly. Until then, let us know which setup you’re going with in the comments.
