FIFA 23’s most famous online mode, Ultimate Team, is one of the biggest draws for the game. Just like any other online competitive game, Ultimate Team’s algorithm keeps changing based on patches and content to favour certain formations and player statistics. These remarkable formations and statistics are often categorised as “meta” or “favouring the meta”. Needless to say, there are a few FIFA 23 meta formations that favour online gameplay as well. These formations work well with the core gameplay changes. Moreover, if you can incorporate the right players with a high chemistry system, the formation will be almost impossible to beat. This article will take a look at some of these formations and tactics that you can employ while playing the game.
Of course, you’ll also have to factor in your skill level. No amount of meta players, tactics, or formations will suffice for poor gameplay choices. That being said, let’s take a look at the FIFA 23 meta formations and tactics for FIFA Ultimate Team!
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4-3-3 (2) – Single CDM
A CDM is a Central Defensive Midfielder who is often employed as a Deep Lying Playmaker or a Destroyer. These players are more defensive-minded and help the backline manage the opposition’s attacks. The base system of the 4-3-3 is a shape that’s been formulated and made famous by Johan Cruyff, one of the greatest minds in football history. It’s a highly balanced formation and can be tweaked based on the opposition’s strengths and playing style.
In FIFA 23 Ultimate Team, there are variations of the 4-3-3 that you can use. However, the 4-3-3 (2) formation is one of the best FIFA 23 meta formations. Employing a defensive midfielder, you can use your wingers to push forward, knowing there’s extra cover at the back. Moreover, since your wingers and two midfielders will be attacking, you should keep the fullbacks (LB and RB) at “Stay Back While Attacking” for more defensive solidity. The rest of the ensemble can be changed based on your players and playing style. We’d recommend you allow the wingers to “Cut Inside” if your main striker isn’t pacey. Additionally, the initial FIFA 23 meta favours wing play. So, you can have the best of both worlds.
5-1-2-2
FIFA Ultimate Team players have looked down upon formations using three CBs. However, this new 5-1-2-2 formation is one of the FIFA 23 meta formations that you should absolutely try. With three central defenders and a defensive midfielder for cover, you can also manage your team’s width with your wingbacks. These players can play further up, knowing you’ve got enough players at the back to cover when you lose possession of the ball.
However, this formation is also risky, as you’ll have to play with more depth. This implies that your entire team will push further up, making you vulnerable to counterattacks from pacey forwards. This is why we’d recommend pacey defenders such as Klostermann and Varane to be part of the backline. They’ll be able to cover more distances faster than other central defenders. Your strike partnership can continue to push up front without the need for defending. Finally, ensure that your defensive midfielder has excellent vision and passing stats for the Deep Lying Playmaker role. Players such as Paul Pogba and Sandro Tonali should be perfect for this role!
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4-1-2-1-2 (2)
Formations such as the 4-1-2-1-2 have always been favoured in the latter stages of FIFA Ultimate Team. Narrow tactics are a significant part of FIFA 23 meta formations and involve fast, direct, accurate passing for both possession and counterattacks. The 4-1-2-1-2 formation is perfect for short passes. Additionally, since there are so many players in the midfield, you’ll be able to push your opponent out wide. So, they’ll be forced to play long balls or put crosses into your box from wide angles. This midfield overloading can ensure better ball recovery and ball progression if done correctly.
This formation’s two most important players are the defensive midfielder and the attacking midfielder. Both of them need to stick to their positions. The defensive midfielder will have to act as a third central defender, breaking down opposition movements. In fact, you should instruct the CDM to “Stay Back While Attacking”. The two strikers can combine with the attacking midfielder to pass the ball around opposition defenders and provide that killer pass on goal. Of course, you’ll have to ensure that at least one of your strikers has a good passing stat. The likes of Gabriel Jesus should be perfect for the role!
4-4-2 Holding
The 4-4-2 is one of the most basic formations in world football. It was one of the first ever formations used by managers when playing competitively, and continues to hold its ground even today. When it comes to FIFA 23 meta formations, the 4-4-2 Holding is still one of the best formations for beginners. Since most beginner players are afraid of playing too aggressively, this formation gives them more defensive solidity. Both the central midfield players will play as defensive midfielders, covering both centre and either wing. The wingers can then push to the front, either by drifting wide or cutting inside, and provide more attacking options to the two strikers.
Bear in mind that at least one of your defensive midfielders needs to have a good physical and defensive stat, making them ideal for defending. The other defensive midfielder can be oriented towards passing and becoming a Deep Lying Playmaker. How you choose to instruct your wingers and strikers can be more personal and based on your playing style. There are plenty of options available, so don’t be afraid to experiment with these tactics for the four attacking players. We’d also recommend you instruct at least one of your fullbacks to Join The Attack and either Invert or Overlap based on the corresponding winger’s instructions!
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4-2-2-2
The next entry on our list of the best FIFA 23 meta formations is the 4-2-2-2. This has been a highly popular formation amongst players since previous iterations of FIFA, thanks to the versatility that it offers. The usual double central defender pairing works in tandem with the fullbacks, who have the liberty to go ahead and attack. This liberty comes with the double defensive midfielder pairing, effectively allowing up to six defenders against counterattacks. Furthermore, the two attacking midfielders can drift wide or stay inside. Overall, you should have six defenders and four attacking players, and the versatility to change their roles based on your playing style.
Moreover, one of the attacking midfielders can be the transitional player between your defenders and your attackers in the final third. With Free Roam on one of the attacking midfielders, you’ll enable a smoother transition from defence to midfield to attack. Aside from this, your general attacking play should include Fast Build Up for quick counterattacks. Furthermore, give your midfielders and attackers the Forward Run instruction. This will enable one of the defensive midfielders playing as a Deep Lying Playmaker to send long balls and accurate through balls into the opposition area, creating plenty of chances.
4-2-3-1
The 4-2-3-1 formation in FIFA 23 has been around for quite a few past iterations of FIFA as well. This formation has been generally liked by the players, with plenty of options for going wide and passing through the middle of the park. Mastering this FIFA 23 meta formation can definitely grant you a decent level of success, especially in FIFA Ultimate Team.
You can set up the formation either narrow or wide, depending on the type of players that you have. If you’ve got fast wingers with pace stats above 85, going wide would be the better option. Otherwise, ensure that your other players have good passing stats to pass the ball around and have that instinct for the killer pass. Thanks to this formation, however, you’ll be able to change your attacking style mid-game without the opponent catching wind of it early. You should keep both Defensive Style and Offensive Style as Balanced. For the depth and width, both should be kept anywhere between 45 to 50, depending on how comfortable you are with the formation. We wouldn’t recommend playing Long Balls with this formation unless your wingers are extremely fast. Instead, you can play either Direct Passing or Forward Runs. Your attacking midfielders, wingers, and the lone striker should get into the box for crosses as well.
For the rest of the midfielders, fullbacks, and defenders, play them defensively to add some defensive depth. This will bring plenty of balance to both attack and defense. However, ensure that one of your midfielders is a box-to-box midfielder with plenty of stamina. The other midfielder should be more comfortable with defensive duties and have a high Defensive Work Rate. Ensure that your main striker has plenty of pace as well. If not, it should be a striker with the Lengthy AcceleRATE style and a high physical stat.
3-5-2
The 3-5-2 formation in FIFA 23 isn’t considered meta by most players, due to the lack of cover at the wings. However, this FIFA 23 formation has plenty of potential if you can use it correctly. You might look at it and get a bit worried about the lack of defensive cover. Nonetheless, there is an option to change the tactics, allowing your wingers to come and defend when needed. Due to the two wingers and the three centre backs, this formation can effectively use five defenders when needed.
It goes without saying that for this tactic to work, your wingers or wingbacks will have to be fast, physical, and have plenty of stamina. Ensure to keep your defensive depth and width meters above 50 and 60, respectively. While going forward, you should employ the Direct Passing and Fast Build Up Offensive Styles. Due to the fast and transitional nature of the formation, your players will be able to traverse the entire length of the pitch, making it highly versatile. Moreover, with so many midfielders and a striker who can play the False 9 role, you’ll also be able to overload the midfield area. This will help you either Man Mark your opponent or cut their passing lanes. You’ll also be able to pass the ball around fast, ensuring that none of the opposition players is able to catch you in possession.
Nonetheless, your defensive midfielder should have high defense and physical stats. All of your midfielders will need to be good dribblers and have excellent passing stats as well. Think along the lines of Casemiro and Bernardo Silva, respectively. Overall, this FIFA 23 meta formation is quite powerful if you’ve got the right players and a good understanding of how the game works. Nonetheless, we wouldn’t recommend this formation to someone who’s just started playing the game. Due to the unique formation style, this one is mostly recommended for intermediate to advanced players!
Summing up
While these formations form the core gameplay style you should employ, it’s better to experiment with tactics as much as possible. This will allow you to define a playing style for yourself, and only you’d be aware of its strengths and weakness. Use these FIFA 23 meta formations to build your dream team based on the type of players you want in each position. If you think we’ve missed out on any meta formations in FIFA 23, let us know about them in the comment section below. We’ll be sure to check them out in-game as well!
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Anirban Dutta Choudhury
Writer, researcher, and avid gamer. Geeks out over postmodern novels and the latest PC games. Usually intends all his puns.