As they are important in real life football/soccer games, they are also important in a FIFA matches. Well used formation and custom tactics could be the key for winning against tough opponents in your FIFA 23 game. One nice counterattack, pressing or even perfect positioning of the player can decide the game. When I moved to the online, more competitive side of FIFA, I had to start using certain formations and tactics for my team. Not only do they help, but in some way they make the game more interesting. Each player gets a role in the team and you can determine exactly which players make the difference or which players you need to replace. Especially in the career mode where your club could have a decent players with good potential, so make sure to choose a good club to manage in a career mode. In this guide I will show you some of the current meta formations and custom tactics in FIFA 23, and explain how they work so you know what kind of players you should have.
4-3-3 (2)
4-3-3 (2) is different from the standard 4-3-3 formation in that it places a bit more emphasis on defense. Instead of having three regular midfielders, it will instead feature two central-midfielders (CM’s) and one center-defensive-midfielder (CDM). Choose your CDM wisely, and make sure that he has a good defending and physicality, so he can help in the defense, as well as nice passing so he can play the pass in the counterattack as effectively as possible. As for the other two midfielders, they need to be “all around” as much as possible. They’ll need a little bit of everything because they’ll be box-to-box players who can contribute both defensively and offensively. This formation is based on quick and long passes, in other words, counterattacks, therefore it is necessary to have fast players in the attack. As the main striker, you will need someone fast and lean, as he will mostly try to do runs behind the back of the defense.
Player Instructions
- CDM – Cut passing lanes, Stay back while attacking, Cover center
- Both CM’s – Cover center
- RB and LB – Stay back while attacking
- ST – Stay central, Get in behind, Stay forward
- The rest is on default.
Deadly FIFA 23 formation.
4-1-2-1-2 (2)
One of the best FIFA 22 formations, still very good in FIFA 23. Most suitable for those who want to play trough the middle. And therefore, short and quick passes as well as running players through the middle will help you break down any opponent who doesn’t have a decent midfielders. The only disadvantage of this formation is that it is too narrow and it can be countered trough with good wingers. However, if you have a fast and strong fullbacks you shouldn’t worry too much about that. When it comes to CMs, it is recommended for them to have a little bit of extra pace. In addition to playing in the center, they will occasionally move to the side in order to spread the attack a little, and help in the defense as well.
Player Instructions
- CDM – Cut passing lanes, Stay back while attacking, Cover center
- CAM – Stay forward
- RB and LB – Stay back while attacking
- ST – Stay forward
- The rest is on default.
FIFA 22 meta formation, still meta in FIFA 23
4-2-3-1
Another very narrow formation that does not have wing players, however it has a 3 Center-Attacking-Midfielders players that provide more attacking options. The first thing is that it is very important for CAM’s to have a good passing stats. This formation is mostly good for possession and passing through the middle, and note that the passing game in FIFA 23 is very strong this year. The CAM in the middle most of the times overlaps the striker so you want for him to have a solid finishing. As for the striker, you just want somebody that is agile, fast and has a good finishing stats. On the CDM’s you want somebody that has a good stamina since they do all the work when it comes to defending in the midfield area. One CDM should be more defensive orientated (big, strong with good defending), and the other one should be the one who will provide passes trough the middle.
Player Instructions
- More defensive CDM – Stay back while attacking, cover center
- More passing orientated CDM – Cover center
- Left and Right CAM’s – Come back on defense, Get into the box for cross
- RB and LB – Stay back while attacking
- ST – Stay central, Stay forward
- The rest is on default.
Direct passing for the win.
3-5-2
3-5-2 is among the strongest formations, and also a very defensive compared to the others. When it comes to defense, it consists of 3 center-backs (CB’s), and 2 CDM’s who are there to additionally help in the defense. But that’s not all, the left and right midfielders (LM,RM) are one of the key players in this formation. Not only will they be very useful in attack because every attack will rely on them, but they will also return to defense to cover the left and right sides of the field. As you may have noticed, on most of the formations in the custom tactics, I put the chance creation as direct passes. Unlike FIFA 22, where you could dribble the entire field with one player, in FIFA 23 you still have to play more of a passing game, which, I repeat, is excellent.
Player Instructions
- CDM’s – Cut passing lanes, Stay back while attacking
- LM and RM – Come back on defense, Get into the box for cross
- CAM – Stay forward
- ST – Stay forward
- The rest is on default.
Defending is the key.
5-1-2-2
New and one of the most popular, if not the most popular formation in FIFA 23. Lots of pro players use it. It is similar to 41212(2), only that instead of a CAM player, there is an additional CB in defense. In addition to those three center-backs, there is also a CDM who additionally helps in defense, and on top of all that, there are also two CMs who will also return to help in the defense. You literally have players everywhere. Now you might think that this is perhaps too defensive formation, but you are wrong. With two excellent forwards and two excellent wingbacks who will give you that width, with many options you can put the ball in the net. Of course, as with all narrow formations, it is important to have good players on the left and right side of the field.
Player Instructions
- CDM’s – Stay back, Cover center
- ST – Get in behind
- The rest is on default.
Custom tactics for a new FIFA 23 formation.
4-3-3 (4)
This is one of the more offensive formations out there, so you have to be careful when using it. It has wing players, CAM and also two CMs. Unlike the other formations I’ve shown, this one doesn’t have a CDM. Therefore, you have to be careful when defending in the middle, because there is a huge space between the center-backs and the central midfielders. Make sure that your CMs are all around and have good stamina because they will also help as much as possible in defense. You can also use “Press after possession loss” as a defensive style on custom tactics to add to the aggression, just so you could stop a potential counterattack from the opponent. Note that you should use a pressing tactics only when you want to get the ball quickly, in the dying minutes of game where you have to chase the result.
Player Instructions
- CM’s – Stay back while attacking, Cover center
- RB and LB – Stay back while attacking
- CAM – Stay forward
- RW and LW – Get into the box for cross
- ST – Stay forward, Stay Central, Get in behind
- The rest is on default.
Offensive type formation.
4-2-2-2
And saving the best for last, 4222 is a current sweaty meta formation. This formation has two players in the CDM position that will fill the space and prevent the attack through the middle. Two CAMs that will provide sufficient width in the attack and perfectly fill that space between the center and the side of the field. Two strikers who are ultimately very important in the team. Quite a balanced formation if you ask me. As far as defense is concerned, you’ve got everything covered since the full-backs don’t go out in the attack. And when it comes to attacking, you need fast and agile CAMs that will also have a good pass to find the strikers. How many goals you will score mostly depends on your strikers, however, for this formation it is a must to have two strikers who are lengthy have a extraordinary attacking AI. This means that they move fantastically in attack and find free space, as well as, of course, the finish itself, which is always important.
Player Instructions
- CDM’s – Stay back while attacking, Cover center
- RB and LB – Stay back while attacking
- ST – Stay Central
- The rest is on default.
Seventy depth requires meta defenders.
There are a lot of new things that FIFA 23 has brought us. HyperMotion2 Technology (only in the next-gen version) that came with a lot of new animations, a new dribbling system, an acceleration mechanism that, as they say, adds personality to players and much more. Most people are still getting used to the new FIFA and testing what suits them. I hope I have helped you find the perfect formation and custom tactics that suits you. If I am, write which formation is it, and if I am not, write below in the comments which is the best FIFA 23 formation for you?
