The best EA FC 26 formations? Here they are!

Date:: 25 September 2025
Read time:: 5 min

The best EA FC 26 formations and custom tactics can make all the difference during a game. Want to be dominating the virtual pitch like Pep Guardiola or Jürgen Klopp? Then we recommend picking up one of our recommended EA FC 26 formations and custom tactics through a code, which are considered the best in the game.

While waiting for the release of EA FC 26, you can warm up and learn directly from our pros and coaches with our EA FC 25 Course, now available worldwide!

Not only is assembling your dream team in EA FC 26 Ultimate Team important. You want to make sure you keep up with the current EA FC 26 meta, and one of the most vital parts of that is your formations. 4-4-2? 5-3-2? There are plenty of options to choose from, and we are here to help you solve the most prominent EA FC 26 mystery: which EA FC 26 formation is the best?

Embedded content: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I66EIfbK1Ck&feature=youtu.be

EA FC 26 Formation 4-4-2: Starting Meta

This is currently the meta formation, used by several of our pros like World Champion Manuel Bachoore and 3rd place finisher Levi de Weerd. This is one of the most popular formations in every EA FC. Not surprisingly, the system's balance, coverage, and ability to provide natural width make it a fundamental and adaptable formation.

EA FC 26 Custom Tactics and Player Instructions for 4-4-2 (code L5$VUvLTVJJN)

Tactical Preset: Custom
Tactic to use: 4-4-2 Flat
Build-up Style: Balanced
Defensive Approach: High (Line Height: 70)
Goalkeeper: Ball Playing, Build-up
Left and Right Back: Full Back, Balanced
Centerbacks: Defender and Defend
Center Mid Left: Holding, Box-To-Box, Balanced
Center Mid Right: Holding, Defend
Left Mid: Inside Forward, Balanced
Right Mid: Inside Forward, Balanced
Strikers: Advanced Forward, Attack.

EA FC 26 Formation 4-2-3-1 Wide

One of the most balanced and consistent formations in EA FC, period. It offers excellent support with four defenders and two central midfield defenders. Your attacking power comes from the three attacking midfielders and your striker. It's crucial to have a strong striker for this formation.

EA FC 26 Custom Tactics and Player Instructions for 4-2-3-1 Wide (code 6YSkAKUCE428)

Tactical Preset: Custom
Tactic to use: 4-2-3-1 Wide
Build-up Style: Balanced
Defensive Approach: Balanced or High (Line Height: 60)
Goalkeeper: Balanced, Defend
Left and Right Back: Full Back, Balanced
Centerbacks: Defender and Defend
Center Mid Defender Left: Playmaker, Build-Up
Center Mid Defender Right: Holding, Defend
Center Mid Defenders: Holding, Defend
Center Attack Mid: Playmaker, Balanced
Left Mid: Inside Forward, Balanced
Right Mid: Inside Forward, Balanced
Strikers: Advanced Forward, Attack

EA FC 26 Formation 4-3-1-2

Another classic that revolves highly around midfield dominance. If you have strong midfielders and enjoy passing and attacking strategically, we recommend using this formation. It's an absolute blast, we promise!

EA FC 26 Custom Tactics and Player Instructions for 4-2-3-1 Wide (code toF7eDH&3pJs)

Tactical Preset: Custom
Tactic to use: 4-2-3-1 Wide
Build-up Style: Balanced
Defensive Approach: Balanced (Line Height: 42)
Goalkeeper: Balanced, Defend
Left and Right Back: Full Back, Balanced
Centerbacks: Defender and Defend
Center Mid Left: Box-To-Box, Ball-Winning
Center Mid Right: Box-To-Box, Ball-Winning
Center Mid: Deep-Lying, Playmaker
Center Attack Mid: Shadow Striker, Attack
Center Attack Mid: Playmaker, Balanced
Striker Right: Advanced Forward, Attack
Striker Left: Advanced Forward, Versatile.

EA FC 25 Formations that worked

Of course, our pros are trying out everything and cooking up the best possible formations and tactics for you to use so that you can dominate FUT Champions (and your friends). While we wait for their careful analysis of the most up-to-date picks regarding formations and tactics, we would like to take you on a trip down memory lane. Remember the best formations and tactics from EA FC 25?

EA FC 25 Formation 4-2-3-1 Wide: The April 2025 Meta

Embedded content: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vz44JRijnTg

If you have watched or read our EA FC 25 Tactics and Meta update, you probably already know. The 4-2-3-1 Wide formation is currently one of the most popular formations. It is one of those formations that makes defending much easier, thus making the game easier. So we recommend you give it a try.

EA FC 25 Custom Tactics and Player Instructions for 4-2-3-1 Wide (code yHKGgMG?8PC)

Tactical Preset: Custom
Tactic to use: 4-2-3-1 Wide
Build-up Style: Balanced
Defensive Approach: Balanced or High (Line Height: 60)
Goalkeeper: Balanced, Sweeper Keeper
Left and Right Back: Full Back, Balanced
Centerbacks: Defender and Defend
Center Mid Defenders: Holding, Defend
Center Attack Mid: Playmaker, Balanced
Left Mid: Inside Forward, Balanced
Right Mid: Inside Forward, Balanced
Strikers: Advanced Forward, Attack

EA FC 25 4-4-2 Pro Meta Tactic!

Embedded content: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n3qNJUSUsAI

Currently 4-4-2 is one of the most used EA FC 25 formations, especially for those who play competitively. 4-4-2 allows you to have a solid axis, while also allowing your right and center mid to help with the attack. It is also one of the easier formations to play, hence it is perfect for beginners and advanced players alike.

EA FC 25 Custom Tactics and Player Instructions for 4-4-2 (code g45EP1#nq9&)

Tactical Preset: Custom
Tactic to use: 4-4-2 Flat
Build-up Style: Balanced
Defensive Approach: High (Line Height: 70)
Goalkeeper: Balanced, Sweeper Keeper
Left and Right Back: Full Back, Balanced
Centerbacks: Defender and Defend
Center Mid Left: Holding, Defend
Center Mid Right: Holding, Defend
Left Mid: Inside Forward, Attack
Right Mid: Inside Forward, Attack
Strikers: Advanced Forward, Attack

EA FC 25 4-5-1 (2) formation & custom tactics with code: one of our new favourites

Embedded content: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0beL5BNvGD8

One of the most popular formations right now is the EA FC 25 4-5-1 (2) or so called flat formation. Professional players like Emre and Abu Makkah use it, and it plays very much like 4-3-2-1 of last year's EA FC. Therefore we feel like this could become one of the best formations in the current game, and we recommend you try it out. It is very strong in both attack and defense, with minimal downsides.

EA FC 25 Custom Tactics and Player Instructions for 4-5-1 (2) (code ?#XIVGMG#7%)

Tactical Preset: Custom
Tactic to use: 4-5-1 Flat
Build-up Style: Balanced
Defensive Approach: Balanced
Goalkeeper: Goalkeeper, Defend
Left Back: Wingback, Balanced
Right Back: Fullback, Balanced
Centerbacks: Defender and Defend
Center Mid: Deep-Lying, Defend
Center Mid Right: Box-to-Box, Balanced
Center Mid Left: Box-to-Box, Balanced
Left Mid: Inside Forward, Balanced
Right Mid: Inside Forward, Balanced
Strikers: Advanced Forward, Attack

EA FC 25 4-4-1-1 formation & custom tactics with code

Embedded content: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sFVrD_yh-fM

The 4-4-1-1 formation is the other formation, next to the aforementioned 4-4-2, that is used a lot by professional EA FC 25 players. It focuses even more on a strong axis, while giving the striker plenty of room to score goals. Obviously, since you are working with only one striker, that player will need to be very good both on the ground and with his head.

EA FC 25 Custom Tactics and Player Instructions for 4-4-1-1 (code FAe5beVMPCV)

Tactical Preset: Custom
Tactic to use: 4-4-1-1 Midfield
Build-up Style: Balanced
Defensive Approach: Balanced
Goalkeeper: Balanced, Defend
Left and Right Back: Full Back, Balanced
Centerbacks: Defender and Defend
Center Mid Left: Playmaker, Attack
Center Mid Right: Holding, Defend
Left Mid: Winger, Balanced
Right Mid: Winger, Balanced
Center Attack Mid: Shadow Striker, Attack
Strikers: Advanced Forward, Attack

The EA FC 25 4-3-2-1 formation & custom tactics with code

Embedded content: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o29WWlGacSw

We have recreated the 4-3-2-1 formation with a 4-5-1 flat formation in EA FC 25. This is the best formation for esports athletes and those aspiring to enter the professional esports scene. It is considered the best formation outside a few banned ones, the three-back and five-back (in the professional scene). As we said, we recommend this formation for anyone playing competitive FIFA or those looking for a solid foundation.

EA FC 25 Custom Tactics and Player Instructions for 4-3-2-1 (code E#d4vJsK%io)

Tactical Preset: Custom
Tactic to use: 4-5-1 Flat
Build-up Style: Counter
Defensive Approach: High (Line Height: 70)
Goalkeeper: Balanced, PlayStyle: Sweeper Keeper
Left Back: Fullback, Defend
Centerbacks: Defender and Defend
Center Mid Left: Playmaker, Attack
Center Mid: Holding, Defend
Center Mid Right: Box-To-Box, Balanced
Left Mid: Inside Forward, Attack
Right Mid: Inside Forward, Balanced
Striker: Advanced Forward, Attack

More EA FC 26

EA FC 26 is the newest game from developer EA. The game has not changed fundamentally, but it is still different enough compared to previous iterations. Overall, we recommend checking how to get a head start with the EA FC 26 Web App & Companion App, and which EA FC 26 Edition to choose. When you already purchased the game, we recommend you to check out the best formations in EA FC 26, our EA FC 26 shooting & finishing tips and the best skillmoves of EA FC 26.