The latest entry in the long-running FIFA series was recently released, and players are already well on the way to building their dream teams. Like most modern sports games, FIFA 22 has received a heap of criticism since its release for a lack of innovation, but to EA's credit, the gameplay balance has significantly improved in this year's iteration.
Consequently, players have the freedom to try out more formations and tactics this year, as there aren't any overpowered strategies to exploit that every player will end up using. So, to give players a few ideas for how to play, here are a handful of reliable formations.
Updated on May 4, 2022, by Jack Pursey: FIFA 22 has been included in Sony's latest offering of games for PlayStation Plus subscribers, along with Tribes of Midgard and Curse of the Dead Gods. Consequently, the game's Ultimate Team mode will likely be receiving a wave of new players soon.
To help beginners get started, we've updated this list of the best formations in FIFA 22 to offer some more options and guidance.
4222
The 4222 is an attacking formation that is ideal for high-pressing sides. It was notably used by Ralf Rangnick at the start of his Manchester United tenure, and it has also been used by Thomas Tuchel at times this season, often as a mid-game alteration.
Defensively, the formation is usually used to force the opposition out wide through the resilient pressing of the 2 CMs, 2 CAMs, and 2 Strikers. If the ball is won back, the team can then spring a deadly counter-attack with the four attacking players bursting forward.
41212 (2)
The 41212 (2) isn't used too often in real-life today, but it is an effective formation in FIFA 22. The latest game in the long-running series emphasizes midfield control, so packing four players in the middle of the park is certainly not a bad idea.
The side's wing-backs should be given overlapping roles to ensure that they can provide the width and get crosses into the box for the two strikers. It's also important to pick central midfield players with good short passing accuracy, to ensure that they can intricately move the ball between themselves and into the striker, without getting caught out by the opposition press.
532
The 532 is a formation commonly associated with Antonio Conte and, to a lesser extent, Thomas Tuchel. The 532 may look like a defensive formation on paper, though the two wing-backs can be instructed to essentially play as wingers, who will stretch the opposition and open gaps for the strikers and any midfielders bursting forwards.
The formation is also solid defensively when managed well, with the 3 central midfielders ideally stopping the opposition from getting any sort of control or foothold on the game, while the 5 defenders provide plenty of cover at the back.
433 (2)
The 433 shape has become one of the most popular formations in the world. The formation had a sharp increase in popularity in the mid-2000s when Jose Mourinho won his first Premier League with Chelsea, and it hasn't looked back since.
While Jose Mourinho's mid-2000s playstyle was predominantly defensive-minded, the 433 has been tweaked and altered over the years to the point where it is now seen as an offensive shape. The 433 (2) is a great shape in FIFA 22 as, like in real life, it offers great central stability with the defensive midfielder and two central midfielders while also providing plenty of threat and defensive support on the wings with the wingers and full-backs that can create overloads in wide areas.
The formation is also very flexible. For example, Pep Guardiola often uses a 433 with inverted fullbacks who push into the midfield allowing him to use the CMs as number 10s; while most other managers prefer to have their fullbacks overlapping and the central midfielders to maintain a tight unit in attack and defense.
433 (5)
With the popularity of the 433 system, it should come as no surprise that multiple variations of the formation have sprung up over the years. The 433 (5) is most notably used by Jurgen Klopp's Liverpool side, who uses Roberto Firmino as a false nine to create an overload in central midfield and provide space for the two inside forwards. The shape is very similar to the 442 diamond, which uses a CAM and two strikers who often split out wide.
Implementing a false nine into the team may not seem like a quintessential FIFA move, but FIFA 22's improved gameplay balance has made it a more viable option, and it can catch plenty of online opponents off guard.
442
From two of the most modern formations in the world to one of the most old-school. The 442 shape used to dominate the sport worldwide, particularly in England, where Sir Alex Ferguson would terrify teams with his Manchester United side and their two flying wingers who would provide support for two world-class strikers.
Unfortunately, this exciting, attacking style of play often isn't viable today, as it leaves the team too exposed in central midfield, allowing sides with three or four central midfielders to win the midfield battle.
Despite this, the 442 formation can still be very effective. The team can either utilize a low block and counter-attack, which is great for playing against opponents with stronger sides in Ultimate Team; or alternatively, the team can use inverted wingers who will almost play like wide central midfielders - a style that Diego Simeone has often used with his Athletico Madrid side.
4411
The 4411 is a great modern alternative to the 442. The formation sacrifices a striker, but bolsters their midfield, creating more stability. The shape is a great choice for FIFA players who want to use a target man striker, as they can buy fast, agile wingers and full-backs who can burst into the wide areas and pump crosses in the box.
If that plan fails, there's also the opportunity to play in the center, particularly through the CAM who is likely to be the team's main playmaker. Essentially, the shape offers a good balance in FIFA 22, letting players adapt to their opponent by having the choice to either play centrally or to overload the wide areas.
5212
Five at the back (also known as three at the back) systems are growing in popularity as of late, with Thomas Tuchel and Antonio Conte both finding success with the formation in recent years. The shape makes use of the incredible fitness of modern players, by tasking wing-backs with essentially playing as both wingers and full-backs simultaneously.
Like the 4411, the formation gives players two clear attack plans, as they can either play out wide through their wing-backs or utilize their number 10's creativity centrally. The main advantage of the 5212 (also known as the 352), is that it gives the team two strikers, providing plenty of goalscoring threat for the opposition to worry about. Crosses are significantly more effective in FIFA 22 than in FIFA 21, so having wing-backs that can get accurate balls into two strikers is a promising prospect.
4231 (2)
The 4231 formation is one of the most common shapes today. It gives the side plenty of defensive coverage with the two defensive midfielders that often play as a double-pivot, while the side also has four main attackers with its two wingers, CAM, and striker.
The 4231 is sometimes criticized for being too rigid, and players can fall into this issue in FIFA 22. However, sides with four quality players in attack will create more than enough goalscoring opportunities through their inter-play and positioning; while the defensive midfielders will stay back, giving the team a solid base that lets the attackers flourish.
FIFA 22 is out now for PC, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Stadia, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S.