FC 25 best formations & custom tactics codes explained

On top of outlining what formations are currently meta in-game, we've also listed the different managers' codes so you can replicate your favourite coach's approach, which is one of the best additions to this year's tactics.

Read on for all you need to know!

Best FC 25 formations and tactics codes

At a glance, the best FC 25 tactics codes to use are:

• 5-2-1-2 — code: hs6DE6JnsjB
• 4-1-2-1-2 Narrow — code: L&j@lPnSv#7
• 4-2-1-3 — code: p#D#E?5&zqJ
• 3-4-2-1 — code: DZcldmu%NBf
• 4-2-3-1 Wide — code: xHJFfLF47x$

You can click those links above to learn more about each tactic! Or, if you already fancy yourself a FIFA expert, why not try our quiz below?

If you're looking to 'plug and play' some of the best tactics from real-life football, you might want to try these iconic manager tactic codes:

• Pep Guardiola (Manchester City) — code: 1#P5MKK8#Vp
• Ange Postecoglou (Spurs) — code: 1HNHjMK@HTp
• Mikel Arteta (Arsenal) — code: Gce&cabtYk6
• Arne Slot (Liverpool) — code: y#Mg#KG?FSm
• Unai Emery (Aston Villa) — code: &HMma%#A@SA
• Antonio Conte (Napoli) — code: @ZYRZDUFS7z
• Carlo Ancelotti (Real Madrid) — code: QcoxzE$YiuE

Some players will prefer to sit a bit deeper, soak up pressure and hit teams on the break. Others will prefer to control the ball, dominate the game, and be on the front foot; regardless of how you wish to play, the biggest goal is to win, and the tactics below will help you achieve your goal.

One thing to keep in mind is what your players' preferred roles are too; we do recommend you utilise these in the best way possible where you can, so if you have a midfielder who is a better as a deep-lying-playmaker and we've said to be a box-to-box, try out their preferred position as they will perform better.

For more info on each of the tactics we've chosen to recommend, read on!

5-2-1-2

The five-at-the-back formations have defined the early meta in FC 25, with the 5-2-1-2 being among the best formations to use.

This formation lets you defend with five players (six if you count the Holding CM) but then quickly transition into an attack with enough players to overload your opponent on the counter.

The three CBs allow you to push the full-backs higher up the pitch as Attacking Wingbacks, adding some width to support the forwards.

A double striker attack has also proven deadly in FC 25 so far, and the Shadow Striker CAM is one of the best Player Roles to use for any position.

• Tactical Preset: Custom
• Code: hs6DE6JnsjB
• Formation: 5-2-1-2
• Build-up Style: Counter
• Defensive Approach: Balanced
• Goalkeeper: Defending, Keeper
• Left and Right Back: Attacking Wingback, Balanced
• Centre Backs: Defenders and Defend, Ball-Playing Defender and Defend
• Central Midfielder: Holding, Defend
• Central Midfielder: Playmaker, Attack
• Center Attacking Midfielder: Shadow Striker, Attack
• Striker: Poacher, Attack
• Striker: Advanced Forward, Attack

Something to keep in mind this year is that some players perform better with specific instructions, so when recruiting, you check whether or not they fit the roles.

4-1-2-1-2 Narrow

This formation has been one of the most popular in recent years, but with the new Player Roles in FC 25, this shape has even more options.

It’s nice and narrow, offering plenty of control and passing options while also providing some width if you have the right central midfielders.

It also allows players to use two strikers, so multiple options operate in the box.

• Tactical Preset: Custom
• Code: L&j@lPnSv#7
• Formation: 4-1-2-1-2 Narrow
• Build-up Style: Short passes
• Defensive Approach: Balanced
• Goalkeeper: Defending, Keeper
• Left and Right Back: Fullback, Balanced
• Centre Backs: Defender and Defend
• Central Defensive Midfielder: Holding, Roaming
• Central Midfielders: Box-to-box, Balanced
• Center Attacking Midfielder: Winger, Balanced
• Striker: False 9, Build Up
• Striker: Advanced Forward, Attack

Alternatively, you can invert the fullbacks to flood the midfield, offering more passing options if that’s what you prefer.

4-2-1-3

This formation defends in a 4213, but when attacking, switches to a 3331 with one of the midfielders dropping into defence and the full backs coming into midfield.

Width comes from the wingers, and the constant rotation of players causes all sorts of chaos. To pull off this formation, it's crucial to have wingers who can go both ways and fullbacks with very good passing so that you can dominate all over the pitch.

• Tactical Preset: Custom
• Code: p#D#E?5&zqJ
• Formation: 4-2-1-3
• Build-up Style: Counter
• Defensive Approach: Balanced
• Goalkeeper: Defending, Keeper
• Right back: Falseback, Balanced
• Left back: Falseback, Balanced
• Defensive midfielder: Holding, Defend
• Defensive midfielder: Centre Half, Defend
• Central Attacking Midfield: Playmaker, Balanced
• Right Winger: Inside Forward, Balanced
• Left Winger: Inside Forward, Balanced
• Striker: Advanced Forward, Attack

3-4-2-1

This formation is more defensively sound, offering little room at the back if you’re countered but also leaving plenty of options in attack for when you get the ball.

The key is to have all-rounders, athletic and strong players so you’re potent on the counter-attack. You will be playing a bit deeper, though, and likely to concede the majority of possession.

• Tactical Preset: Custom
• Code: DZcldmu%NBf
• Formation: 3-4-2-1
• Build-up Style: Counter
• Defensive Approach: Defend
• Goalkeeper: Defend
• Defenders: Defender, Defend
• Defenders: Stopper, Balanced
• Right Midfielder/ Left Midfielder: Wide midfielders, defend
• Central Midfielders: Box-to-box, Balanced / Deep Lying Playmaker, Defend
• Center Attacking Midfielder: Shadow Striker, Attack
• Center Attacking Midfielder: Playmaker, Balanced
• Striker: Poacher, Attack

4-2-3-1 Wide

Right now, this is the most balanced formation around, offering just as much going forward as defending, with plenty of options for a pass and proving hard to break down.

The defenders can come inside to provide more in the middle, too, but it will rely on them having a good engine for all the extra running they’re going to do, so stamina is the key.

• Tactical Preset: Custom
• Code: xHJFfLF47x$
• Formation: 4-2-3-1
• Build-up Style: Short Passes
• Defensive Approach: High
• Goalkeeper: Defending, Keeper
• Left back: Fullback, Balanced
• Right back: Falseback, Defend
• Centre Backs: Defender, Defend
• Central Defensive Midfielder: Holding, Defending
• Central Defensive Midfielder: Holding, Defending
• Center Attacking Midfielder: Playmaker, Balanced
• Right Midfielder / Left Midfielder: Inside Forward, Balanced
• Striker: Advanced Forward, Attack

Best manager tactics in FC 25 Ultimate Team

Managers in the game have built-in tactics, so if you want to equip one of them and plug and play, as it were, these are some of the best options currently in the game that fit the meta.

• Mikel Arteta
• Antonio Conte
• Thiago Motta
• Hansi Flick
• Roberto De Zerbi
• Enzo Maresca
• Unai Emery
• Xabi Alonso
• Carlo Ancelotti
• Ruben Amorim

Hundreds of managers are in the game, so it is well worth looking at which ones you get in packs to see if any of them fit the particular way you want to play in Ultimate Team.

How to enter tactic codes in FC 25

Entering the codes can be a bit of a hurdle, so for that reason we've listed below the best way to do so:

• Go to your squad in Ultimate
• Push the left stick in to bring up the Squad Actions
• Now head to Team Management
• Scroll over to the Use Code screen
• Press X/A to import code and then you're good to go

Read more on FC 25:

• FC 25 review: Our final verdict
• FC 25 ratings: The very best players
• FC 25 soundtrack: Full list of songs
• FC 25 wonderkids: Best young players
• FC 25 strikers: Best forwards to use
• FC 25 wingers: Best RW and LW
• FC 25 midfielders: Best CDM, CM and CAM
• FC 25 defenders: Best CB, RB and LB
• FC 25 goalkeepers: Best GK
• Best kits in FC 25: Our favourite shirts
• FC 25 evolutions: Who should you upgrade?
• FC 25 FUT Champs rewards

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