In FIFA 23, your skills and the ratings of your FUT cards are only two of many aspects that decide whether you win or lose. An often underestimated factor is your team’s formation – it greatly influences whether your players are in the right place at the right time and can bring their full potential to the pitch.
In FIFA 23 you have more than 30 formations at your disposal. This article will introduce you to five of these so that you can find the best formation for your style of play.
FIFA 23 Formation: 4-3-3
Playstyle: Balanced or offensive (depending on variation)
The main feature of this solid formation is its balance: four defenders, three midfielders, and three attackers give you the most flexibility defensively and offensively.
The exact makeup of the formation is also flexible – especially in the midfield. Variants of the formation feature two defensive midfielders (CDM) or two central midfielders (CM) and one offensive player (CAM), among other options. So there’s plenty of room to find a version that’s perfect for your style of play and available squad.
For newcomers, this is a good way to get your bearings in the FUT meta, which has rather little in common with the real game.
FIFA 23 Formation: 3-4-3
Playstyle: Offensive
You’ll be much more aggressive with the 3-4-3 formation, which offers two slots each for right and left midfielders, while three center-backs hold the fort as best they can. Pace is key in this formation, especially for the defensive players, who have to make up for their low numbers with running power.
The wingers, however, should also have speed at their disposal, because they have to help out at the back if necessary. Attack is often the best defense in FIFA 23, even if this approach is not without risk.
FIFA 23 Formation: 4-2-2-2
Playstyle: Balanced
While with 3-4-3 you mainly build up pressure via the flanks, the 4-2-2 formation is one whose magic primarily comes from the center. Fast attacking midfielders are the key to still execute successful flanking maneuvers – but that burns up the stamina you desperately need for counterattacks, so choose your approach wisely.
Thanks to four defenders and two defensive midfielders, you have a strong anchor to build up your play and cope well with opposing attacks. If you often run into problems defensively, this is not a bad choice.
FIFA 23 Formation: 4-2-3-1
Playstyle: Balanced
If you have a surplus of quality attacking midfielders in your club and you don’t want to let them rot on the bench, the 4-2-3-1 formation is an interesting option to consider.
It retains the defensive anchor of the 4-2-2-2 formation, but on the offensive, it features a powerful spearhead of fast and talented players who should create scoring opportunities primarily through smart passing. Here you’ll have to show a sense for the right timing and the necessary space to pull off your ground-level maneuvers if you want to be successful.
FIFA 23 Formation: 5-2-2-1
Playstyle: Defensive with counterattacks
Five defenders may sound like boring defensive overkill – however, the 5-2-2-1 formation opens up interesting possibilities for you. Thanks to the introduction of Lengthy players as part of the AcceleRATE system coming with HyperMotion2, some side defenders are true rockets with a lot of speed and stamina who can support your offensive efforts without compromising the defense.
Since it’s precisely the defensive aspect in FUT that is difficult for many players to get a handle on, this enormous defensive chain is a legitimate solution to such problems. Thanks to these new acceleration systems, you don’t handicap your offensive power all too much by going heavy on defenders.
Written by Marco Wutz on behalf of GLHF.
