Leveraging and mastering the most effective formations as well as tactics is essential to dominating EA FC 24’s Ultimate Team, Career Mode, or Division Rivals.
With the introduction of Tactical Visions in EA FC 24‘s Career Mode, the game offers unprecedented tactical customization. Understanding the best formations is vital to succeed across all modes, including the Ultimate Team.
With so many possibilities on the pitch, it can be a bit overwhelming trying to figure out what formations and tactics are the most effective so we’ve got you covered with a list of the very best options right here.
Here are the best formations to use in EA FC 24, including the top custom tactics and player instructions.
Contents
- Best EA SPORTS FC 24 formations
The best formation in EA FC 24
The best formation in the current EA FC 24 meta is the 4-2-3-1, though there are other systems you can try out as well.
Want an attacking form like Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool? Here are the best formations in EA FC 24.
Here is a list of the best formations in EA FC 24 so far – and below, we’ll show you the exact custom tactics you need to unlock their potential:
- 4-3-2-1
- 4-1-2-1-2 (narrow)
- 4-2-3-1
- 3-4-2-1
- 5-4-1
EA FC 24: Best custom tactics for 4-3-2-1
The 4-3-2-1 has CFs instead of LF and RF these days.
Player instructions
- Left-back: Stay back while attacking
- Right-back: Balanced
- CM: Cover center, Stay back while attacking
- LCM: Cover center, stay back while attacking
- RCM: Cover wing
- CFs: Get in behind
- ST: Stay central, get in behind
Defensive tactics
- Defensive Style: Balanced
- Width: 45
- Depth: 65
Offensive tactics
- Build-Up Play: Balanced
- Chance Creation: Direct passing
- Width: 45
- Players In Box: 5 bars
- Corners and Free Kicks: 1 bar
Everything depends on the strong foot of your attacking player in center mid. If the player is right-footed, use them as an RCM, and vice versa. The fullback with stay back while attacking goes on the same side as the attacking central mid, while the other outside back remains balanced.
Following those steps ensures that the team will attack in a 4-2-4 and defend in a 4-4-2.
EA FC 24: Best custom tactics for 4-1-2-1-2 (narrow)
The narrow version of this formation is excellent, with the right custom tactics.
Player instructions
- Left-back: Stay back while attacking
- Right-back: Stay back while attacking
- CDM: Cover center, Stay back while attacking
- CMs: Get into the box for crosses, Get forward
- CAM: Stay forward
- ST: Stay forward, Get in behind
Defensive tactics
- Defensive Style: Balanced
- Width: 40
- Depth: 55
Offensive tactics
- Build-Up Play: Balanced
- Chance Creation: Forward Runs
- Width: 40
- Players In Box: 70
- Corners and Free Kicks: 2 bars
Packing out the midfield gives you plenty of options when trying to build an attack and play through the lines while also making it hard for your opponent to find space in the middle of the park.
It’s also possible to add some width if you don’t mind committing bodies forward. Picking two center midfielders with pace can simulate the effect of having wingers, or you can set the full-backs to bomb forward and deliver crosses.
EA FC 24: Best custom tactics for 4-2-3-1
The 4-2-3-1 is a classic.
Player instructions
- Left-back: Stay back while attacking
- Right-back: Stay back while attacking
- CDMs: Cover center on both, Stay back while attacking on one, Balanced on the other
- CAM: Stay forward, Get into the box for crosses
- ST: Stay forward, Get in behind
Defensive tactics
- Defensive Style: Balanced
- Width: 35
- Depth: 55
Offensive tactics
- Build-Up Play: Direct Passing
- Chance Creation: Forward Runs
- Width: 40
- Players In Box: 70
- Corners and Free Kicks: 2 bars
This formation is the epitome of well-balanced. With both CDMs and outside backs staying back on the attack, it makes it incredibly different for opposing sides to even attempt a counter-attack. Mounting any sort of quick attack yourself also becomes difficult, but smart passes and patient play should still result in plenty of goals.
We recommend using a 4-2-3-1 if you are struggling on offense or defense. Practicing these tactics should make it easier to get more comfortable before transitioning to a more advanced formation.
EA FC 24: Best custom tactics for 3-4-2-1
Try something different with three at the back with this 3-4-2-1 formation.
Player instructions
- LM & RM: Come back on defense, Stay wide, Stay on edge of the box for cross
- CMs: Cover center, Stay Back while attacking, Stay on the edge of the box for cross
- ST, LF & RF: Stay Central, Get in behind, Stay Forward
Defensive tactics
- Defensive Style: Balanced
- Width: 35
- Depth: 55
Offensive tactics
- Build Up Play: Balanced
- Chance Creation: Direct Passing
- Width: 50
- Players In Box: 6 bars
- Corners and Free Kicks: 2 bars
The depth is so low because through balls can be an issue if your center backs aren’t deep enough. Keeping the left and right mid on defensive tactics is crucial because you don’t want them to over-commit and expose an easy counter-attack.
All three of the forwards wait in the attacking third for passes to be sent directly to them. This formation works best when you get them the ball as fast as possible. From there, it should be easy with three attackers going at once.
EA FC 24: Best custom tactics for 5-4-1
Football heritage.
Player instructions
- LWB: Join the attack, overlap
- RWB: Join the attack, overlap
- CMs: One on Cover Center, Stay Back, and the other stays Balanced and Cover Center
- LM & RM: Come back on defense, Get in Behind, Get into the box for cross
- ST: Stay forward, Stay central, Get in Behind
Defensive tactics
- Defensive Style: Balanced
- Width: 35
- Depth: 50
Offensive tactics
- Build-Up Play: Long Ball
- Chance Creation: Direct Passing
- Width: 50
- Players In Box: 8 bars
- Corners and Free Kicks: 3 for corners & 2 for free kicks
The 5-4-1 is very strong defensively and is a good option for high-level competitive matches. If you are in the final few matches of a Weekend League and absolutely need to win a match, these tactics work perfectly.
Players who like to play through the middle of the field won’t like this formation. The goal on offense is to use the outside midfielders and outside backs to overload a wing and create openings in the final third with a cross.