The best FIFA 23 tactics, meta formations and player instructions

The FIFA 23 meta is constantly evolving.Therefore, keeping up with the best formations, custom tactics, and directions is extremely...Fragster | 3. February 2023

The FIFA 23 meta is constantly evolving.Therefore, keeping up with the best formations, custom tactics, and directions is extremely important if you want to climb the ranks of FUT Champs and Division Rivals.

A new chemistry system and changes to position changes completely change the roster composition.With that in mind, here are the best tactics in FIFA 23.

The best tactics, formations & player instructions

Once you’ve decided on the players you want to bring onto the field, choosing the right system is very important, especially in Ultimate Team’s competitive modes like Division Rivals or FUT Champions.But with so many formations, player instructions, and individual tactics, it can be difficult to find the right meta setting.

Just like in FIFA 22, there are some classic systems that work wonders in FIFA 23 Ultimate Team and are consistently strong.With that in mind, we’ve compiled our best FIFA 23 tactics, meta formations, and player guides.

Tactics and strategy are helpful, but without the right players, they’re useless, so be sure to check out our FUT guide for the perfect start.

As chosen by you.
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The best FIFA 23 formations

The best formation in FIFA 22 was 4-1-2-1-2 (narrow), and it is effective in FIFA 23 as well.Closing down midfield gives you plenty of opportunities to build up an attack and play through the lines while making it difficult for your opponent to find space in the middle of the court.

It’s also possible to stretch the game if you don’t mind going forward.With two fast central midfielders you can simulate the effect of wingers, or you can set the full-backs to charge forward and take crosses.

You can’t go wrong with a 4-1-2-1-2 (narrow) thanks to the flexibility it offers at both ends of the pitch.However, there are other lineups that we expect to be just as effective.

Here are some other meta formations:

4-1-2-1-2
4-2-3-1
4-4-2
4-3-2-1
4-2-2-2

Best FIFA 23 Tactics for 4-1-2-1-2

Player Instructions

Left Defender: Stay behind when attacking
Right-back: Stay behind when attacking
CDM: Center cover, falling behind when attacking
CMs: Go into the penalty area and cross, move forward
CAM: Go forward
ST: Go forward, go backward

Defensive tactics

Best FIFA 23 Tactics for 4-2-3-1

Player Instructions

Left Defender: Stand back and attack
Right-Back: Stay behind while attacking
CDMs: Both cover the center, one holds back in attack, the other balances
CAM: Going forward, going into the penalty area for crosses
ST: Go forward, go backward

Defensive tactics

Defensive Style: Balanced
Width: 35
Depth: 55

Offensive tactics

Development game: Direct passing game
Opportunity Conversion: Forward Runs
Width: 40
Players in the box: 70
Corners and free kicks: 2 bars

Best FIFA 23 Tactics for 4-4-2

Player Instructions

Left Defender: Stand back and attack
Right-back: Stay behind when attacking
LM & RM: Central defenders, back runs
CMs: Center Cover, One on Stay Back when attacking, One on balanced
ST: Stay in front, go in the back

Defensive tactics

Defensive Style: Balanced
Width: 40
Depth: 50

Offensive tactics

Development game: Balanced
Opportunity Creation: Balanced
Width: 50
Players in the box: 50
Corners and free kicks: 2 bars

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Best FIFA 23 Tactics for 4-3-2-1

Player Instructions

Left Defender: Stay behind while attacking
Right-back: Stay behind when attacking
CM: Cover center, stay behind when attacking
LCM & RCM: Center Cover, Balanced
LF & RF: Stay central, go to the back
ST: Stay in front, go behind

Defensive tactics

Defensive Style: Balanced
Width: 40
Depth: 50

Offensive tactics

Development game: long ball
Opportunity exploitation: Direct passing game
Width: 35
Players in the box: 50
Corners and free kicks: 2 bars

Best FIFA 23 Tactics for 4-2-2-2

Player Instructions

FIFA 23 Tactics: Attack Settings

There are two different areas in attack that players need to be aware of: build-up play and chance conversion.These areas affect everything from the positions attackers take to the types of runs they make.

Finding the right settings that suit both your formation and playstyle is essential if you want to challenge the higher ranks of FUT Champions.

There are four different settings for each, so choose the one that best suits your attack style:

Building game

Balanced: Stay in your formation, players will make support runs when needed.
Slow Playmaking: Players are underserved for quick, easy passes.Perfect for staying in possession.
Long Ball: Players run behind the defensive line to play forward passes.Works best with fast forwards.
Fast Buildup: Attackers are constantly on the move, but leave you open to counterattacks when pulled out of position.

Exploitation of opportunities

Balanced: Players run, but only when they see fit, otherwise they stay in formation.
Possession: The emphasis is on patient passing and waiting for gaps.The forwards don’t run too much, but they play short passes.
Direct Passing: Forwards love to run backwards and go last man, ideal for fast players and well-timed passes.
Runs Forward: Players push forward and make a lot of runs, which offers a lot of opportunities but can also lead to counterattacks.

FIFA 23 Tactics: Defense Settings

There are also numerous options for defense in FIFA 23.Players can choose their defensive style and determine how deep they want to go.

Defensive styles

Width/Depth Slider: This slider allows players to decide how far up the field they want to place their defensive line.A high line is great for attacking, but also offers the ability to deflect balls from behind, while a low line is ideal when defending a lead.
Balanced: The back line stays in formation and pushes in the middle of the field.
Pressure on Heavy Touch: Defenders stay in shape and apply pressure as soon as a mispass or bad touch occurs.
Pressing after losing possession: Players press for a few seconds after losing possession to regain possession.That takes a lot of stamina.
Constant pressing: The team presses all over the field and tries to win the ball in dangerous positions.This tactic also requires a lot of perseverance.

These are some of the best FIFA 23 formations, custom tactics, and player directions to try in Ultimate Team. Have fun!

By the way, fans will soon be able to vote on the 12th card of the TOTY in FIFA 23.You can choose between Joao Cancelo and Erling Haaland from Manchester City or Frederico Valverde from Real Madrid.All you have to do to vote is launch Ultimate Team and you’ll be prompted to vote!

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