FIFA 23: Best FUT Formations & Custom Tactics

Your formation in FUT 23 can completely change the way you approach each game and how you choose to build your team.

FUT 23 this year has seen the most significant changes to the popular mode in a while. With a completely revamped Chemistry system, players can completely change how they organize players.

But this also means that formations are more important than ever. Especially because of the new position restrictions in regards to the Chemistry Threshold.

So here are the best overall formations in FIFA 23 FUT along with all their custom tactics and instructions!

Best FIFA 23 Ultimate Team Formations, Custom Tactics & Instructions

Here is an overall view of the best formations in FUT 23:

Formation	Best For:
4-2-3-1 Narrow	• Overall a great starter formation that balances out offense and defense well. • Great for building up play. • Can be good for defending from an aggressive attack. • Useful for holding leads and fighting off counterattacks.
4-1-2-1-2 Narrow	• Great for building up attacking players. • Two strikers can make it easier to feed balls through defenders. • A playstyle that demands a constant attacking flow. • When you have an RB/LB with a high pace.
4-4-2 Holding	• Great foundation to build a team that excels in possession. • LM/RM positions open up a lot of attacking options when it comes to the wings. • Perfect for players that like to control the midfield.
4-3-1-2	• If you enjoy possession but want to spend more time in your opponent’s half of the field, this formation is perfect for you. • With three CMs, players can easily pressure opponents on their half of the field and push for mistakes that could lead to easy goals.

Having a formation that fits your play style is one of our favorite tips for building a strong team in FUT 23.

Here we’ll break down each of these formations and which tactics and instructions to use best with them!

4-2-3-1 Narrow – Best Formation in FUT 23 to Hold Leads

• Defense
  • Defensive Style: Balanced
  • Width: 55
  • Depth: 50
• Offense:
  • Build Up Play: Balanced
  • Chance Creation: Balanced
  • Width: 55
  • Players in Box: 5
  • Corners: 2
  • Free Kicks: 2

Position	Instructions
GK	• Default
RB/LB	• Stay Back While Attacking • Normal Interceptions (Default) • Mixed Attack (Default) • Stick to Position
CB	• Default
CDM	• Balanced Defense (Default) • Balanced Attack (Default) or Stay Back While Attacking • Normal Interceptions (Default)
RM	• Default
LM	• Default
CAM	• Basic Defence Support (Default) • Balanced Crossing Runs (Default) • Free Roam • Normal Interceptions (Default)
ST	• Default

The instructions for this formation are pretty straightforward. We only really see any sort of changes with our RB, LB, CDM, and CAM positions.

Here are a few important things to note:

• You want this formation to be a good balance of defense and offense, but you don’t want to rely on counterattacks.
• This formation is more about establishing a strong foundation that can withstand any offensive tactics your opponent may have while still allowing you some creativity in the midfield.
  • This is why it is best to give your CAM the Free Roam tactic.
  • This allows them to roam their space to improve their passing options and reach your RM/LM and ST.
• For CDM, you can have Balanced Attack if you want to be a bit more aggressive, or you can change both to Stay Back While Attacking to really fortify your defenses.
• To attack, you will need to build up your play from your CDM. If the wings are open, then do a quick pass to your LM or RM to open up the field and give your CAM more space to receive and create passes.

Read More: Best FIFA 23 Controller Settings

4-1-2-1-2 (2) Narrow – Best Formation for Quick Build-Up Play

• Defense
  • Defensive Style: Balanced
  • Width: 65
  • Depth: 50
• Offense:
  • Build Up Play: Balanced
  • Chance Creation: Direct Passing
  • Width: 65
  • Players in Box: 4
  • Corners: 3
  • Free Kicks: 3

Position	Instructions
GK	• Default
CB	• Default
LB/RB	• Default
CDM	• Balance Defence (Default) • Stay Back While Attacking • Normal Interceptions (Default) • Cover Center • Stick to Position (Default)
CM	• Default
CAM	• Stay Forward • Balanced Crossing Runs (Default) • Stick to Position (Default) • Normal Interceptions (Default)
ST	• Stay Central • Mixed Attack (Default) • Normal Interceptions (Default) • Basic Defence Support (Default)

This formation is all about utilizing your players and their quick passes to quickly break through any defenses.

Here are a few tips you should keep in mind:

• This formation leaves your defense as it is because your main focus is building up the attack with quick and direct passes.
• It is important for you to have both of your ST players Stay Central and your CAM Stay Forward so that your CM and CDM can feed them balls to build the play with.
  • This also allows them to play together and easily create quick and direct passes more frequently.
• This position really thrives with high-paced players in your attack and physical players as your CDM.
  • It’s also important for your CDM to Stay Back While Attacking because they’ll be your best bet at putting a stop to a quick counterattack.

4-4-2 (2) Holding – Best Formation for Keeping Possession

• Defense
  • Defensive Style: Balanced
  • Width: 50
  • Depth: 50
• Offense:
  • Build Up Play: Long Ball
  • Chance Creation: Balanced
  • Width: 55
  • Players in Box: 5
  • Corners: 2
  • Free Kicks: 2

Position	Instructions
GK	• Default
CB	• Default
LB/RB	• Stay Back While Attacking • Normal Interceptions (Default) • Mixed Attack (Default) • Stick to Position (Default)
CDM	• Balanced Defence (Default) • Left CDM: Balanced Attack (Default) – Right CDM: Stay Back While Attacking • Normal Interceptions (Default) • Cover Center • Stick to Position (Default)
LM/RM	• Default
ST	• Default

This formation is about keeping possession and forcing your opponent to make mistakes.

Here are a few important tips that you make a note of:

• This formation rewards patience. Pass the ball with your players and keep possession.
• As you pass the ball, look for openings in your opponent’s defense.
• If you lose the ball, pressure and aim to recover possession but don’t immediately go for a counterattack.
• The way this formation is set up, then, if you fail the counter-attack, your opponent will be able to easily break down your defense with their own counter.
• Use your RM and LM to build up play and open up the sides for a cross or a run into the box.
• With two STs, you should aim to have players with good pace and physical ability to easily send them through balls into the box.

4-3-1-2 – Best Formation for Pressure

• Defense
  • Defensive Style: Balanced
  • Width: 55
  • Depth: 50
• Offense:
  • Build Up Play: Slow Build Up
  • Chance Creation: Possession
  • Width: 55
  • Players in Box: 4
  • Corners: 2
  • Free Kicks: 2

Position	Instructions
GK	• Default
CB	• Default
RB/LB	• Default
Central CM	• Default
Right & Left CM	• Get Forward • Balanced Crossing Runs (Default) • Normal Interceptions (Default) • Stick to Position (Default) • Cover Wing (Default)
CF	• Balanced Width (Default) • Get in Behind • Normal Interceptions (Default) • Basic Defence Support (Default)
ST	• Balanced Width (Default) • Mixed Attack (Default) • Normal Interceptions (Default) • Stay Forward

This is a very aggressive position with high risk and high rewards. To make the best use of it, it’s important to acknowledge a few tips:

• This formation is all about pressure and possession.
• Once you have possession of the ball, you need to do quick passes to find holes in your opponent’s defense.
• Your Left and Right CMs will be a big part of the offense, so if you have players with good pace and high shooting, that’ll be helpful in your tactics.
• Your ST is there to receive balls and do 1-2 passes with the CFs. Use them as much as possible to break away from the defender for easy one on ones.

How to Change Tactics In FIFA 23 Ultimate Team

To change tactics in FUT 23 follow these steps:

• Press R1/RB or use your mouse to select the “Club” option from the FUT 23 Main Menu.
• Once there, select the first option, “Squad.”
• From here, press L2/LT or use your mouse to select “Squad Actions.”
• Scroll down to the second option, “Custom Tactics,” and select it.
• From this menu, you will be able to change your Tactics, Formations, and even the individual Instructions of every player on your team.

Once you’ve figured out which Formation and Tactics you want to use, you’ll need to get familiar with the Chemistry Threshold and how to easily get Chemistry Points for all your players.