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FM26 tactics: The best formations and instructions in Football Manager 26

Let's get tactical.

Pep Guardiola standing next to a tactics board with his hand on his chin, with a Football Manager 26 tactic on the board.

Sports Interactive, Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Bongarts/Getty Images

Published: Wednesday, 29 October 2025 at 1:34 pm

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FM may be a spreadsheet simulator to many, but you can make all the transfers you want, and if you don't have the right FM26 tactics, you are going nowhere.

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With a whole new tactical system allowing for both in and out of possession roles, you might be struggling to get to grips with how it all works now.

So, if you're just looking for a bit of help, we've got three great plug and play tactics for you to use, or to tweak to your liking, to help you start racking up those wins.

To make things easier, you can click on any of the following to go straight to the tactic you want:

FM26 tactics: 4-2-3-1 Gegenpress

The tactics screen in FM26 showing a 4-2-3-1 Gegenpress formation.

4-2-3-1 Gegenpress. Sports Interactive

The classic tactic that has worked in FM for many years, the 4-2-3-1 gegenpress is just as powerful in FM26 as it always has been.

A solid back four, helped out by two defensive midfielders, are the backbone of your team, giving your front four the opportunity to press aggressively, winning the ball back and keeping your opponents on the back foot.

If you find yourself conceding a lot of balls in behind, it may be worth dropping your Defensive Line down to Standard.

Team Shape

Team Instructions

In Possession

Out of Possession

FM26 tactics: 5-2-1-2 Wing Play

The tactics screen in FM26 showing a 5-2-1-2 Wing Play formation.

5-2-1-2 Wing Play. Sports Interactive

Don't let the five at the back fool you. This tactic is incredibly attacking, and will score you goals, though unless you have a solid keeper and centre-backs, you may find yourself conceding plenty, too.

We're running a High Press, but you can lower that down to a Mid Block if you find yourself conceding too many balls over the top.

Team Shape

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Team Instructions

In Possession

Out of Possession

FM26 tactics: Standard 4-4-2

The tactics screen in FM26 showing a 4-4-2 formation.

Standard 4-4-2. Sports Interactive

If you're playing a lower-league save and perhaps don't have players with the quality to pull off one of the two tactics above, then this 4-4-2 is the one for you.

With a solid back four, supported by two DMs sitting just in front of them, it makes use of two wingers on the flanks to counter-attack quickly, getting the ball up to your strikers.

If you have one, feel free to stick a Target Man up top to have a focal point for your attack, setting up your second striker or finishing chances for themselves.

Team Shape

Team Instructions

In Possession

Out of Possession

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Authors

Black and white cut-out portrait headshot of Alex Raisbeck, smiling against a lime green background.

Alex RaisbeckGaming writer

Alex Raisbeck is a Gaming Writer at Radio Times, covering everything from AAA giants to indie gems. Alex has written for VideoGamer, GamesRadar+, PC Gamer, PCGamesN and more.

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