FC 26 best formations and tactics

It’s hard to believe a year has passed since the last soccer game, but we’ve put together the best formations and tactics for EA FC 26 to help you hit the ground running when the new game launches.

Certain strategies require you to play further back on the field, capitalizing on your opponent’s errors, while others focus on defending your goal – a good approach if you already have a lead.

Of course, you might want to start up Thanos F.C., and keep things perfectly balanced.

Fret not, for we’ve got some good options for every playstyle!

For more help with EA FC 26, explore the FC 26 Companion App, discover the new Icons, and check out the latest player ratings.

Read on for the best formations and tactics to use in FC 26!

Best FC 26 formations and tactics codes

Below are what we reckon are the best FC 26 formations and tactics to use:

5-2-1-2 — code: hs6DE6JnsjB
4-1-2-1-2 Narrow — code: pwCtqtBxznF5
4-2-1-3 — code: BZdBinRRLHdR
3-4-2-1 — code: f46F?txvpfzc
4-2-3-1 Wide — code: 8ZUmCsUEGA4e

Clicking on each of those will take you to the formations and explain what they’re good for.

5-2-1-2

One of the best tactics in last year’s game, the 5-2-1-2 is just as powerful in FC 26.

This strategy uses a strong defense, typically with five defenders – sometimes six including a defensive midfielder – and relies on quickly launching counterattacks.

With your three center-backs playing close together, your full-backs have more freedom to run up the wings and provide support. They can deliver crosses from the sides or play through balls to your forwards.

Using two forwards combined with an attacking midfielder playing just behind them creates a strong offensive presence. This setup allows for constant attacking runs and smart teamwork, leading to more scoring opportunities.

Tactical Preset: Custom
Code: hs6DE6JnsjB
Formation: 5-2-1-2
Build-up Style: Counter
Defensive Approach: Balanced
Goalkeeper: Defending, Keeper
Left and Right Back: Attacking Wingback, Balanced
Centre Backs: Defenders and Defend, Ball-Playing Defender and Defend
Central Midfielder: Holding, Defend
Central Midfielder: Playmaker, Attack
Center Attacking Midfielder: Shadow Striker, Attack
Striker: Poacher, Attack
Striker: Advanced Forward, Attack

4-1-2-1-2 Narrow

The 4-1-2-1-2 Narrow formation is all about being adaptable. It’s great for building attacks with quick passing between your midfielders, and you can easily adjust their positioning to play wider and pull the opposing defense apart.

This setup, like the last one, uses two forwards. However, it adds a wide midfielder playing slightly behind them to stretch the attack. If you prefer a stronger presence in the penalty area, you can also change your central attacking midfielder into a second striker who closely supports the forwards.

You can adjust your strategy by replacing any of the central midfielders with a Half Winger. You could also move your full-backs into a more central position to create more players in midfield and surprise the other team.

Tactical Preset: Custom
Code: pwCtqtBxznF5
Formation: 4-1-2-1-2 Narrow
Build-up Style: Counter/Short Passing
Defensive Approach: Balanced
Goalkeeper: Defending, Keeper
Left and Right Back: Fullback, Balanced
Centre Backs: Defender and Defend
Central Defensive Midfielder: Holding, Roaming
Central Midfielders: Box-to-box, Balanced
Center Attacking Midfielder: Half Winger, Balanced
Striker: False 9, Build Up
Striker: Advanced Forward, Attack

4-2-1-3

This setup is special because it changes how the team plays depending on whether they have the ball. When defending, it looks like a 4-2-1-3, but when the team has possession, it shifts to a more attacking 3-3-3-1. This happens because one midfielder moves back to help the defense, and the full-backs move inside to cover the midfield.

Your wingers will play as Inside Forwards, stretching the field wide but also drifting inwards to create shooting opportunities, deliver crosses, or play through balls to your central striker, who will be an Advanced Forward.

Your attack will depend a lot on your three forwards and the attacking midfielder supporting them. However, having two lines of three players behind them means you can quickly win the ball back when you lose it, or quickly and effectively fall back into a solid defense if you can’t.

Tactical Preset: Custom
Code: BZdBinRRLHdR
Formation: 4-2-1-3
Build-up Style: Counter
Defensive Approach: Balanced
Goalkeeper: Defending, Keeper
Right back: Falseback, Balanced
Left back: Falseback, Balanced
Defensive midfielder: Holding, Defend
Defensive midfielder: Centre Half, Defend
Central Attacking Midfield: Playmaker, Balanced
Right Winger: Inside Forward, Balanced
Left Winger: Inside Forward, Balanced
Striker: Advanced Forward, Attack

3-4-2-1

The 3-4-2-1 formation works best when you prioritize defending high up the pitch. While the four midfielders provide good attacking options and central protection, they can leave you vulnerable on the sides. Therefore, when defending, try to guide the opposition towards the middle of the field.

The team’s midfield features players with different strengths. Two central midfielders – a deep-lying playmaker and a box-to-box player – contribute to attacks from deeper positions. Further forward, a playmaker creates chances for a ‘shadow striker’ and a poacher, who specializes in finishing opportunities inside the penalty area.

This formation can leave your defense vulnerable, so it’s important to have fast, quick-reacting defenders and midfielders who can deliver accurate long passes. This allows your attackers to exploit space and launch quick counterattacks.

Tactical Preset: Custom
Code: f46F?txvpfzc
Formation: 3-4-2-1
Build-up Style: Counter
Defensive Approach: Deep
Goalkeeper: Defend
Defenders: Defender, Defend
Defenders: Stopper, Balanced
Right Midfielder/ Left Midfielder: Wide midfielders, defend
Central Midfielders: Box-to-box, Balanced / Deep Lying Playmaker, Defend
Center Attacking Midfielder: Shadow Striker, Attack
Center Attacking Midfielder: Playmaker, Balanced
Striker: Poacher, Attack

4-2-3-1 Wide

A classic choice is always reliable. The 4-2-3-1 Wide formation strikes a great balance, providing both solid defense and strong attacking potential.

Your defense is solid with four players staying back, supported by two defensive midfielders. This makes it tough for opponents to score and prevents them from quickly attacking after you lose possession.

Use a Playmaker in the central attacking midfield role, alongside Inside Forwards on the right and left wings. These wingers should run with the ball both down the sidelines and towards the center, pulling defenders away from your central Striker, creating space for them to score.

Tactical Preset: Custom
Code: 8ZUmCsUEGA4e
Formation: 4-2-3-1
Build-up Style: Short Passing
Defensive Approach: High
Goalkeeper: Defending, Keeper
Left back: Fullback, Balanced
Right back: Falseback, Defend
Centre Backs: Defender, Defend
Central Defensive Midfielder: Holding, Defending
Central Defensive Midfielder: Holding, Defending
Center Attacking Midfielder: Playmaker, Balanced
Right Midfielder / Left Midfielder: Inside Forward, Balanced
Striker: Advanced Forward, Attack

Best manager tactics in FC 26 Ultimate Team

If you admire a manager’s approach, you can learn a lot by directly applying the strategies and formations they use.

Here are some of the best manager tactics you can currently use in the game:

Mikel Arteta
Hansi Flick
Xabi Alonso
Unai Emery
Antonio Conte
Ruben Amorim
Arne Slot

How to enter tactic codes in FC 26

Importing codes into FC 26 isn’t straightforward, so here’s a simple guide on how to do it!

Go to your squad in Ultimate Team
Push the left stick in to bring up the Squad Actions
Now head to Team Management
Scroll over to the Use Code screen
Press X/A to import code and then you’re good to go

2025-09-22 15:36