Custom tactics are more important than ever in FIFA 23 Ultimate Team. Winning without a well-thought-out custom tactic setup is harder than ever. They can completely transform how a team plays in-game and are often the difference between winning and losing. Utilizing every player's strengths and weakness is essential when climbing the ranks and for success in FUT Champs.
In FIFA 23 Ultimate Team, a player can switch between 5 different tactical setups depending on the game situation. This guide provides the best custom tactics for every in-game scenario. Whether a team is holding on to a slim lead, pushing for a last-minute winner, or everything in between, these custom tactics that are used by pro players will win matches if used correctly.
Updated March 21, 2023, by Ben Painter: FIFA 23 Ultimate Team is always a fan-favorite game mode but is very important that players pick a formation that best suits them and one that works well with the meta of the game. Gamers can choose to play the game several different ways, defensively trying to not concede too many goals or going all out and not worrying about the defense as long as plenty of goals or scored. Whatever is chosen there are tactics to go about it which will help the players perform in ways they exactly need to that helps suit the system. In this update, three new custom tactics have been added that gamers should consider when it comes to FIFA 23 Ultimate Team.
7 Ultra Defensive 5-2-1-2
- Formation: 5-2-1-2
- Defensive Style: Balanced with 45 width and 65 depth
- Offensive Style: Balanced build-up, direct chance creation with 45 width
- Player position: 4 on players in the box, 1 on corners, and 1 on free kicks
The 5-2-1-2 formation is the best defensive formation in the game if set up correctly. While 5 at the back formations are often frowned upon, this setup allows a solid defensive core with a counter-attacking threat. Which is perfect for holding onto a slim lead and closing out a tight match.
The player instructions are as follows if any players or instruction options are not mentioned leave them on default:
- RWB and LWB: Join the attack and overlapping runs
- Both CMs: Stay back while attacking and cover center
- CAM: Stay Forward
These custom tactics provide a really strong defensive core that is difficult to break down with the 3 center-backs being covered by the 2 central midfielders. Look to the wingbacks to get around the opponent’s press and play up the field. Try to keep possession and play it into the center-attacking midfielder to create chances. Fast strikers can then punish an opponent who is too far up the pitch. But the main focus is tucking in with a narrow defense to stop an opponent and hold a lead to win the match.
6 Defensive 4-2-2-2
- Formation: 4-2-2-2
- Defensive Style: Balanced with 45 width and 45 depth
- Offensive Style: Balanced, direct chance creation with 60 width
- Player Position: 4 on players in the box, 2 on corners, and 2 on free kicks
The 4-2-2-2 formation has been powerful in many past FIFA games and this year is no different. A rigid back 4 being covered by 2 central defensive midfielders gives a really strong defensive core. However, the 2 central attacking midfielders can create chances by finding pockets of space in the opponent's defense and creating chances for the 2 strikers.
The player instructions are as follows if any players or instruction options are not mentioned leave them on default:
- LB and RB: Stay back, overlapping runs
- One CDM: Cut passing lanes, stay back while attacking, and cover center
- The other CDM: Cut passing lanes and cover center
- RAM and LAM: Come back on defense and get in the box for crosses
- STs: get in behind, stay central, stay forward
This setup works well best for teams looking to defend a lead or survive pressure from an opponent. Having one CDM with defensive instructions and the other being more balanced allows quick build-up play from defense into attack. Teams with fast strikers that want to get in behind the defense excel with this setup. Both attacking midfielders will come back to aid in defense when required creating a 4-4-2 defensive structure but can quickly attack when given the chance.
Keep in mind that the balanced custom tactic is not in this guide as it uses the formation that the team is built in and has restrictions due to this. The 4 available options provide more than enough strategic adaptations.
5 Defensive 3-5-2
- Formation: 3-5-2
- Defensive Style: Balanced with 40 width and 60 depth
- Offensive Style: Fast build-up, forward runs chance creation with 40 width
- Player Position: 7 on players in the box, 2 on corners, and 2 on free kicks
This defensive formation offers three defenders in the back line to help keep it locked down but also always for a great transition into the attacking third with the use of wingers as opposed to wingbacks that a five-at-the-back formation offers. The CDMs in this system offer cover to the wingers, but the use of a CAM helps to create chances. The player instructions are as follows if any players or instruction options are not mentioned leave them on default:
- GK: Comes for crosses and sweeper keeper
- CB's: Default
- Left CDM: Cut passing lanes, stay back while attacking, and cover center
- Right CDM: Cut passing lanes, cover center, balanced attack
- RM and LM: Come back on defense, balanced width, get into the box for crosses, conservative interceptions, default support runs
- CAM: Stay forward, get into the box for crosses
- STs: Stay central, mixed attack, stay forward
This formation will work best with quick and powerful center backs who can help to keep the defense solid, the wingers will need to have solid defensive attributes, Kostic and Cuadrado of Juventus are perfect for this formation. The CAM is the glue that holds this team together so having a really great one will help push this team to further heights. The CDMs need to be strong and tidy but with a good range of passing. It is important to have strikers with great finishing abilities as the goals will come from them a lot in this system.
4 Attacking 4-3-2-1
- Formation: 4-3-2-1
- Defensive Style: Balanced with 44 width and 64 depth
- Offensive Style: Balanced build-up, direct chance creation with 56 width
- Player position: 5 on players in the box, 2 on corners, and 2 on free kicks
The 4-3-2-1 formation is a great well-rounded attacking option in FIFA 23; it can lead to domination in the midfield and control of the game if played right. Take advantage of short quick passing between the 3 midfielders to control possession. It doesn’t really on the best players as all midfielders can do simple short passes This setup is great at the start of a match to provide pressure on an opponent. It is naturally quite a narrow formation, so 56 width provides a bit of space while taking advantage of the formation’s strengths.
The player instructions are as follows if any players or instruction options are not mentioned leave them on default:
- LB and RB: Stay back while attacking and overlap
- CM and RCM: Stay back while attacking, cover center
- LCM: Cover wing
- RW: Come back on defense
- ST: Stay Central
- LW: Stay Central
With these custom tactics, the 4-3-2-1 defends similarly to a 4-4-2 formation. The LCM covers the left-hand side and operates like an LM without the ball and the RW does the same on the other side. This provides a strong defense with the midfield covering a strong back 4. However, it comes alive in attack with the 3 forwards playing off the midfielders. Look to play short quick passes to break down a defense while being able to handle an opponent’s counter-attack.
3 Attacking 4-5-1
- Formation: 4-5-1
- Defensive Style: Balanced with 45 width and 51 depth
- Offensive Style: Balanced build-up, direct chance creation with 58 width
- Player position: 6 on players in the box, 3 on corners, and 3 on free kicks
The 4-5-1 is a great formation in FIFA 23 the two CAMs offer some great support to the striker, but also having a LM and a RM will not commit too many bodies forward creating a nice balance of play. The two CAMs are what make this system tick and will have a lot of options for play with 6 players in the box. The balanced build-up will allow for slow but concise passing that will hopefully keep possession and create many opportunities for a goal. The player instructions are as follows if any players or instruction options are not mentioned leave them on default:
- GK: Comes for crosses, sweeper keeper
- LB and RB: Stay back while attacking
- CB: Stay back while attacking
- CM: Stay back while attacking, cover center
- CAMs, LM, RM: Balanced
- ST: Stay Central
Having all the defense on stay back while attacking allows the attacking players to work their magic and not worry about the defense causing too many problems. The 5-man midfield dominates games, and it will allow for a lot of possession, and gamers will not need to break the bank for this system to work as there are many cheaper alternatives to some of the games' best. The LM and RM do not need to be tampered with as the formation's natural movements of the players are perfect for this system. Having the striker on stay central is a must as he will be the only player up there and will need to do a lot of the heavy lifting when it comes to goals.
2 Ultra Attacking 4-2-4
- Formation: 4-2-4
- Defensive Style: Constant Pressure with 50 width and 80 depth
- Offensive Style: Fast build-up play, direct chance creation, and 50 width
- Player positioning: 7 on players in the box, 4 on players in the box, and 4 on free kicks
The 4-2-4 formation is the ultimate gung-ho tactic in FIFA 23. This is best when chasing a game in the dying embers of a match. Only really use it when chasing a last-minute equalizer or winner as it throws all players forward and leaves the defense exposed. However, it puts pressure on an opponent who will need a very strong defense to stop such an attacking focus.
The player instructions are as follows if any players or instruction options are not mentioned leave them on default:
- LB and RB: Join the attack with overlapping runs
- LW and RW: Get in the box
- Both STs: Stay central, get in behind, stay forward
This formation doesn’t require too many attacking instructions as it is inherently so attack-focused. Always look for forward passes but don’t over-force and lose the ball as the defense is exposed. Attacking fullbacks with the wingers will cause overloads out wide which can be exploited to create endless chances. The strikers will be looking to make runs and will be very direct toward the goal. The two midfielders need to stay in the middle of the pitch to create more space and passing opportunities. This setup will score goals if played correctly, perfect for when players need a goal.
1 Ultra Attacking 4-3-3 (4)
- Formation: 4-3-3 (4)
- Defensive Style: Balanced with 45 width and 60 depth
- Offensive Style: Slow build-up play, possession chance creation, and 60 width
- Player positioning: 5 on players in the box, 1 on players in the box, and 1 on free kicks
This variation on the 4-3-3 has a CAM in the midfield which adds an extra body up there to help create chances and score goals, offering support to the striker and wingers. In this formation, the striker isn't as isolated, and the wingers will help carry the burden of some of the goals. With two CMs and a back four to help keep things secure in the defense this formation is very attacking and is set to score lots of goals. The player instructions are as follows if any players or instruction options are not mentioned leave them on default:
- GK: Comes for crosses, sweeper keeper
- LB & RB: Stay back while attacking
- CBs: Stay back while attacking
- CMs: Balanced
- CAM: Stick to position
- LW & RW: Free roam
- ST: Stay central, get in behind
The back four will keep nice and compact, but it is the two CMs that are vital in this formation. Having them as balanced will help them be box-to-box covering both the defense and helping with the transition into attack. The CAM will need to stick to position as this will help keep that hole in the advanced midfield covered and always have an outlet to play into. The wingers are vastly important also, and they will need to have great dribbling and at least four-star skills, and weak foot. Lastly, the striker will need to be perfectly balanced, tall, quick, and have an eye for a pass.
FIFA 23 is available on PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series S|X, Nintendo Switch, and PC.