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EA Sports FC 26 has taken a more radical approach to this year's iteration than players are used to seeing with the series. With new competitive and authentic gameplay modes and plenty of on-pitch animation changes, this year's smorgasbord of footballing grind is anything but a copy-paste. That means it requires much more than a copy-paste approach from players if they want to be competitive.

What does the formation meta look like right now? The basic shape of the team can make all the difference in how you play. At the time of writing EA Sports FC 26 is in its earliest release phase, and that means things move fast. However, we've already seen from pro players and respected content creators that a back four seems to be the most popular defensive shape for any formation.

As for the midfield and attacking players, there's plenty of scope for experimentation at the moment. Since defending feels less automated than in previous titles, many players are using two central defensive midfielders as additional cover to prevent attackers from shimmying through their back line. And right up top where the goals happen, most popular tactics are using one all-out striker and two wingers.

For this EA FC 26 guide, we've gathered together some of the most popular and competitive meta formations and tactics so far to help you win matches. These represent the current meta, but that doesn't mean they're right for your playstyle by default. Copy the codes (in the squad selection screen you'll find Tactics under Team Management), try them out in a few matches, and see what works best for your players.

We've also thrown in a couple of wildcards, including a back five formation—because what's more fun than breaking the dominant meta? Plus if everyone lines up against each other with the same basic shape, you end up cancelling each other out. It could be worth rolling the dice with these more unconventional shapes while EA SPORTS FC 26 is still early in its lifespan.

ASY FUT's 4-2-1-3

Based on our playtesting, we think ASY FUT's 4-2-1-3 represents the best balance of defensive cover, attacking options, and a structured midfield.

The back four is arranged conservatively, with two stay-at-home centrebacks and two fullbacks who won't commit fully to joining attacks while in possession, but still offer a decent wide option.

The two central defensive midfielders (CDMs) are key here. One's using a balanced role, so they'll stay back when out of possession and won't wander too high up the pitch when in an attacking phase, but the other's build-up role allows them more freedom to join attacks and provide another passing option.

It's pretty standard stuff higher up the pitch, with two wingers, one central attacking midfielder (CAM), and a striker. That's been viable since the FIFA days when Rooney was a perpetual cover star, and there's nothing about EA SPORTS FC 26's changes that means it's suddenly broken now.

RedLac's 4-2-3-1 WIDE

This shape is about defensive cover and cautious build-up play, so if you're playing a Manager Career save with a relegation-courting minnow, or just starting out in Ultimate Team without too many star players, you'll appreciate how hard it is to break down.

The back four are all instructed to stay back while in possession, and they won't push up too high looking for the offside trap when out of possession either.

Once again two CDMs are used—this definitely seems to be the prevailing meta at present—but with the defenders all deployed more conservatively, in this position both CDMs are given a little more freedom to roam in the build-up role.

Here's where RedLac's 4-2-3-1 wide deviates from most popular formations right now: Rather than using two out-and-out wingers, it uses a left midfielder (LM) and right midfielder (RM), both in balanced roles, with a CAM in the center acting as a shadow striker.

Arne Slot's 4-2-3-1

For managers less concerned with the current in-game meta and more focused on the real sport's dominant tactic, here's the formation Arne Slot currently uses for Liverpool—which just so happens to strongly resemble the current in-game meta for EA SPORTS FC 26. Art imitating life.

The back four returns here, offering a strong balance of numbers at the back, width, and wide passing channels in possession. In midfield there's flexibility. Those two deeper CDMs can carry the ball up the pitch in possession or work as an extra defensive shield sitting in front of the backline when defending.

Finally, you've got a wide array of attacking channels, passing options, and points of focus. Those wider wingers can cut inside and create chances for themselves, distribute to the striker, or create passing triangles that lure defenders out of possession.

Manuel Bachoore's 4-5-1 FLAT

Here's a really interesting one from FIFA 23 world champion Manuel "ManuBachoore" Bachoore. What's different about this one compared to most of the popular 4-2-3-1 tactics circulating online is the midfield setup, which allows you to crowd out opponents in the middle of the pitch and work a press very effectively when you're out of possession without overcommitting players and leaving yourself dangerously exposed on the counter.

There's a back four arranged with two balanced fullbacks on each flank, as is pervasive in the current meta. But in midfield you're working with five—yes, five—in a pretty flat line, with two box-to-box CMs, a playmaker playing centrally between them, and two inside forwards on the wings starting from a much deeper position than usual.

That gives them a lot of ground to cover, but if you're playing with pacey players with high OVR ratings, they'll easily transition from a deeper covering role out of possession to an advanced position in attack.

Finally, there's a lone advanced forward who acts as the target man. You can pass the ball up to him to hold up the play and then have him distribute back to midfield in order to build up patiently, or just break out from the wings and chuck in a cross for that advanced forward to get on the end of.

We've had a lot of fun testing this one out, and at present it offers an advantage because it's so different to the typical three-player midfield.

5-2-1-2

If you want to stand out for employing a maverick tactical approach, this back five formation is a great way to do it. Yes, you'll be playing with slightly fewer passing options on attack, but it's so hard to break this shape down, it'll save your proverbial bacon after many a misplaced pass or over-optimistic throw-in.

Either side of a back three in defense are two supporting wingbacks, who have license to go up and join attacks. That means that in possession you're working with four or five in midfield, a bit like Manuel Bachoore's formation above.

To counterbalance that extremely defensive backline, the midfield and attack are very positive. You've got one holding CM operating defensively in midfield, but otherwise everyone's looking to create chances: a CM playmaker in an attacking role, a shadow striker at CAM, and two strikers, arranged as a poacher and an advanced forward. Given that most players play just one striker, this attacking line could cause some real problems online.