The EA FC 25 Ultimate Team season is in full swing, but if you’re going to take on Division Rivals or FUT Champs you’ll need to make sure you’re running the meta formations and that you’ve got the best tactics.
This time around, FC IQ has brought a massive overhaul to the way you set up your team, giving managers more control over their system than ever before. But the tradeoff is that there’s now a lot more to think about when setting up their tactics, and even the smallest detail can be the difference between a win or loss.
But don’t worry, we’ve put together the best formations in EA FC 25, along with the best tactics, Player Roles, and codes for each one.
Best formations in EA FC 25: Tactics codes
The best formation in EA FC 25 is 4-2-3-1 (Wide), especially in Ultimate Team where the setup really shines. This is because it offers the most flexibility in terms of attack and defense, allowing you to go forward in numbers while still protecting your backline.
When going forward, the CAM acts as the maestro of your attacks, so make sure you sign somebody with plenty of Passing and Dribbling stats. The wingers are also crucial, as they’ll be making runs in behind to both support and supply the lone striker.
The most important aspect of this formation, though, is the midfield. If you prefer to play cautiously, you can set both to ‘holding,’ but if you want to be a bit more expansive, you can encourage one of them to go forward and support the front players.
If you’re looking for a formation that doesn’t leave you lacking in any department, then 4-2-3-1 is the one for you.
Best custom tactics & player roles for all meta formations
4-2-3-1 (Wide) – Code: zHLH$e#69wT
- Tactical Preset: Custom
- Formation: 4-2-3-1 (Wide)
- Build-Up Style: Counter
- Defensive Line: 45
Player Roles
- GK: Goalkeeper / Defend
- LB: Fullback / Defend
- CB: Defender / Defend
- CB: Defender / Defend
- RB: Fullback / Defend
- CDM: Deep Lying Playmaker / Roaming
- CDM: Holding / Defend
- LM: Inside Forward / Attack
- RM: Inside Forward / Attack
- CAM: Playmaker / Balanced
- ST: Advanced Forward / Attack
With this combination of tactics, your players will be very compact and disciplined while defending, making it much easier to get a foot in and win the ball. But then, once you do win it back, they spring into life and make darting runs in behind.
It’s then over to your midfielders to quickly get the ball into a dangerous area and pick out the right pass. So, make sure your roaming and attacking midfielders have enough vision to pull the strings for you.
We recommend someone like Rodri as the Deep-Lying Playmaker, as he can win tackles but also distribute the ball forward. In terms of the Playmaker, cover star Jude Bellingham is the ideal choice, or Bruno Fernandes if you don’t quite have enough funds.
4-4-2 (Flat) – Code: #4h2ecYPSFo
- Tactical Preset: Custom
- Formation: 4-4-2 (Flat)
- Build-Up Style: Counter
- Defensive Line: 40
Player Roles
- GK: Goalkeeper / Defend
- LB: Fullback / Balanced
- CB: Defender / Defend
- CB: Defender / Defend
- RB: Fullback / Balanced
- LM: Winger / Balanced
- CM: Box to Box / Balanced
- CM: Holding / Defend
- RM: Winger / Balanced
- ST: Target Forward / Attack
- ST: Advanced Forward / Attack
If you want to go back to basics, 4-4-2 is another strong formation in EA FC 25. Much like 4-2-3-1, it offers plenty of balance in all areas of the pitch, but the addition of a second striker does mean you’ll have to be pickier with who you play in each position.
You’ll need two industrious midfielders, one of which is happy to sit and mop up any counterattacks and another who can act as a box-to-box. Crucially, though, both will need to be comfortable on the ball, as losing possession as a midfield two, especially again a team that packs the middle of the pitch, could spell disaster.
When it comes to strikers, I’ve found that a big target man and a pacey runner are the perfect combination. The taller of the two can win any headers and provide an aerial threat, while their partner runs in behind and collects any knock-downs.
With this in mind, someone like Peter Crouch or Fernando Morientes would be the ideal Target Forward to flick it down for Kylian Mbappe or Sam Kerr.
4-3-2-1 – Code: 5TRtbNJAD2p
- Tactical Preset: Custom
- Formation: 4-3-2-1
- Build-Up Style: Short Passing
- Defensive Line: 40
Player Roles
- GK: Goalkeeper / Defend
- LB: Fullback / Defend
- CB: Defender / Defend
- CB: Defender / Defend
- RB: Fullback / Defend
- CM: Box to Box / Balanced
- CM: Holding / Defend
- CM: Box to Box / Balanced
- CAM: Shadow Striker / Attack
- CAM: Shadow Striker / Attack
- ST: Advanced Forward / Attack
While many fans were disappointed to learn the 4-3-2-1 no longer featured three strikers, it’s still a meta formation in EA FC 25. The only key difference is that you have two CAMs replacing the two forwards, so choosing the right personnel is crucial.
Ideally, you want players who can act more as wingers or strikers in these positions, so if you can’t find a CAM with these characteristics, it’s best to choose a different starting formation and then change to this in the tactics menu.
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The real strength of 4-3-2-1 is just how much it offers in attack. Having three forwards, as well as two midfielders who can make late runs into the box, can easily overload a defense and create scoring opportunities.
To get the most out of this setup, a Box-to-Box midfielder like Alexis Mac Allister is perfect for marauding forward. The two Shadow Striker roles are also vital, so we recommend Jamal Musiala or Florian Wirtz.
4-2-2-2 – Code: asy?ByvhkXK
- Tactical Preset: Custom
- Formation: 4-2-2-2
- Build-Up Style: Short Passing
- Defensive Line: 40
Player Roles
- GK: Goalkeeper / Defend
- LB: Fullback / Defend
- CB: Defender / Defend
- CB: Defender / Defend
- RB: Fullback / Defend
- CM: Deep-Lying Playmaker / Roaming
- CM: Holding / Defend
- CAM: Half Winger / Attack
- CAM: Half Winger / Attack
- ST: Advanced Forward / Attack
- ST: Advanced Forward / Attack
4-2-2-2 is a popular formation in Ultimate Team and it’s just as powerful as ever in EA FC 25, especially when paired with the Short Passing Build-Up Style. This should make it nice and easy to slice through the midfield and get the ball into your creative players.
Since wing play is extremely effective this year, it’s advised to set both CAMs as Half Wingers so they drift into the channels. From here, they’ll find plenty of space to pick out that killer pass into the two lingering strikers.
You might want to go for players with more Pace in these positions, but if you’re looking for the stars who excel in this Player Role, then you can’t go wrong with Kevin De Bruyne or Sara Dabritz.
4-3-3 (Attack) – Code: rkDNSCMy1oP
- GK: Goalkeeper / Defend
- LB: Fullback / Defend
- CB: Defender / Defend
- CB: Defender / Defend
- RB: Fullback / Defend
- CM: Playmaker / Attack
- CM: Deep-Lying Playmaker / Defend
- CAM: Shadow Striker / Attack
- LW: Winger / Attack
- ST: Advanced Forward / Attack
- RW: Winger / Attack
While most of the formations on this list are about balancing attack and defense, our 4-3-3 (Attack) setup is all about being aggressive.
By moving your defensive line up to 70, you’re essentially going to pin back the opposition and make it very difficult for them to get up the field. This naturally limits the space in the attacking half, so make sure you’ve got midfielders and wingers with high Dribbling who can play in tight spaces.
It’s worth noting that this is a very high-risk high-reward system. If you pull it off successfully you’ll be keep the other team under constant pressure and make it very difficult for them, but if they manage to get through it leaves a lot of space in behind.
With this in mind, you’ll need a backline full of pacey defenders who can bail you out if the ball gets played over the top. Top-tier Defenders with plenty of speed stats like Jonathan Tah or William Saliba should do the job.
While it’s definitely not for the fainthearted, 4-3-3 (Attack) is easily one of the best and most enjoyable formations if you get it right.
EA FC 25 tactics codes
Our formations
- 4-2-3-1 – zHLH$e#69wT
- 4-4-2 – #4h2ecYPSFo
- 4-3-2-1 – 5TRtbNJAD2p
- 4-2-2-2 – asy?ByvhkXK
- 4-3-3 (Attack) – rkDNSCMy1oP
We’ve been through and created a unique tactics code for each of the meta formations you’re about to see. So, make sure to redeem the one you want to use in Ultimate Team and save yourself some valuable time.
Plenty of high-profile streamers and pro players have also shared their own setups, so check them out below.
Pro and content creator codes
- 4-4-1-1 Midfield (MattHDGamer) – QApk?k44i%g
- 5-3-2 (Stingray) – aszM8&?g$Y6
- 4-1-2-1-2 (2) (NealGuides) – P&nxyTjSaQv
- 4-2-4 (Ovvy FC) – nM@GWs7txjL
- 4-3-2-1 (Krasi) – 9UVvfRhFH7d
- 4-4-2 (TheFUTDoc) – p4CKcuGv8LZ
- 5-4-1 (Team Gullit) – L8$B6A&RVNb
- 4-3-3 (Holding) (Fuji) – Fcd
Of course, these are the best formations and tactics in EA FC 25 at launch, but the meta is always evolving as more updates and players discover tricks. We’ll be keeping this page updated with the ideal setups, so be sure to check back regularly for ideas on how to tweak your system.
In the meantime, there are plenty of promos planned for EA FC 25, including Total Rush which focuses on the new Rush 5v5 mode in Ultimate Team.