FC 27 ROLES
FC 27 Player Roles determine how players position themselves, move and make decisions in and out of possession, particularly when they are not being controlled directly.
FC 27 Roles
Player Roles remain a key part of FC 27, shaping how players position themselves, move and make decisions in and out of possession as part of FC IQ.
EA Sports FC 27 features 37 Player Roles distributed across every position, from goalkeeper to striker. Each Role can include one or more Focuses, giving you greater control over the responsibilities and positioning of each player within your tactic.
Roles remain important in FC 27, but attacking movement is less rigid. The new Attacking Spatial Awareness system allows players to recognise available space and make more contextual runs instead of always remaining strictly attached to their assigned Role.
How to Set Up FC 27 Player Roles
- From the main Ultimate Team screen, press R1/RB three times to select [Club];
- Select [Squad];
- Press L3 to open [Squad Actions];
- Select [Tactics];
- Choose one of the available tactics and select [Edit Tactic];
- Press R1/RB once to open the [Player Roles] tab;
- Make the desired changes and save your tactic.
Roles and Focuses
FC 27 Player Roles determine how players position themselves, move and make decisions in and out of possession, particularly when they are not being controlled directly. Every position has a selection of Roles and Focuses that can be viewed and adjusted in the tactics menus.
The system is built around the following elements:
- Player Roles
A Role establishes the player’s primary tactical responsibilities, including their positioning, movement and off-the-ball decisions. It influences behaviours such as tracking back, supporting the build-up, maintaining width or making attacking runs. - Focus
A Focus modifies a Role by adjusting specific aspects of the player’s behaviour. It can make the player more defensive, attacking, mobile or adaptable according to the requirements of your tactic. - Role Familiarity
Role Familiarity indicates how effectively a player performs a particular Role. It is displayed as Base, Role+ or Role++, with higher Familiarity producing more refined positioning and decision-making within that Role.
Role Familiarity
Each player has a level of Role Familiarity that determines how effectively they perform the responsibilities associated with a particular Role. While Roles are assigned according to position, Familiarity is tied to the individual player and applies separately to each Role.
Role availability is position based. If a position is listed as one of the player’s primary or secondary positions, the player can be assigned any Role available in that position. Their Familiarity level may differ from one Role to another.
- Base
A player assigned to one of their recognised positions can perform the Roles available in that position at a Base level, even when they do not possess enhanced Familiarity. - Role+
Role+ indicates that the player is accomplished in that Role, improving their positioning, movement and decision-making when carrying out its tactical responsibilities. - Role++
Role++ represents the highest Familiarity level, indicating that the player is particularly effective at understanding and performing that Role. - Out of Position
A yellow exclamation mark indicates that the player is being used outside their recognised positions. They can still take part in the match, but will operate with a simplified Role and less effective positioning.
In Football Ultimate Team, every special Player Item released throughout FC 27 will receive Role++ Familiarity across all Roles available in the player’s primary and secondary positions. This gives special Items greater tactical flexibility and allows them to fit more easily into different systems.
Frequently Asked Questions
FC 27 Player Roles determine how players position themselves, move and make decisions in and out of possession, particularly when they are not being controlled directly.
FC 27 Player Roles allow you to choose in advance how your players perform off the ball and out of possession in-game.
Position | Role – Focus
Position | Role – Focus
Goalkeeper
- Goalkeeper (Defend | Balanced)
- Sweeper Keeper (Balanced | Build-Up)
- Ball-Playing Keeper (Build-Up)
- Fullback (Defend | Balanced | Versatile)
- Falseback (Defend | Balanced)
- Wingback (Balanced | Versatile)
- Attacking Wingback (Support | Attack)
- Inverted Wingback (Build-Up | Attack)
- Defender (Defend | Balanced)
- Stopper (Balanced | Defend)
- Ball-Playing Defender (Defend | Build-Up)
- Wide Back (Defend | Aggressive | Support)
- Holding (Defend | Roaming)
- Centre-Half (Defend)
- Deep-Lying Playmaker (Defend | Roaming)
- Wide Half (Build-Up | Defend)
- Box Crasher (Balanced)
- Box-to-Box (Balanced | Ball Winning)
- Holding (Defend)
- Deep-Lying Playmaker (Defend)
- Playmaker (Attack | Roaming)
- Half-Winger (Support (CM-only) | Balanced | Attack)
- Winger (Balanced | Attack | Versatile (RW/LW-only))
- Wide Midfielder (Defend | Support | Build-Up)
- Wide Playmaker (Attack)
- Inside Forward (Balanced | Attack)
- Playmaker (Balanced | Roaming)
- Shadow Striker (Attack)
- Half-Winger (Roaming (CAM-only) | Balanced | Attack)
- Classic 10 (Versatile | Wide | Attack)
- Winger (Balanced | Attack | Versatile)
- Inside Forward (Balanced | Attack | Roaming)
- Wide Playmaker (Attack)
- Advanced Forward (Attack | Versatile)
- Poacher (Attack | Versatile)
- False 9 (Build-Up | Attack)
- Target Forward (Balanced | Attack | Wide)
In FC 27, Player Roles offer greater flexibility. Thanks to the new Versatile Focus options and fewer restrictions, players are no longer confined to strict role limitations during gameplay.
The penalties for playing Out of Position have been significantly reduced. More Roles+ and Roles++ are now available, and players can hold over four positions. Additionally, four new Roles have been introduced: Wide Back, Inverted Wingback, Box Crasher, and Ball-Playing Keeper.
The penalties for playing Out of Position have been significantly reduced. More Roles+ and Roles++ are now available, and players can hold over four positions. Additionally, four new Roles have been introduced: Wide Back, Inverted Wingback, Box Crasher, and Ball-Playing Keeper.
Goalkeeper Roles and Focuses
Goalkeeper
A traditional goalkeeper who prioritises shot stopping, protects the goal and generally remains close to their starting position.
- Defend Focus
With a Defend focus, the Goalkeeper remains close to the goal and is less likely to rush out to collect long passes or loose balls.
● Stay in Position ● Defending ● Low Risk ● Rush - Balanced Focus
With a Balanced focus, the Goalkeeper occasionally leaves their position to collect loose balls or passes played into the area.
● Stay in Position ● Defending ● Some Risk ● Rush
A proactive goalkeeper who helps stop attacks outside the immediate goal area and supports the team as a passing option during build-up play.
- Balanced Focus
With a Balanced focus, the Sweeper Keeper leaves their area when appropriate to collect balls played close to the penalty box.
● Rush ● Pass Option ● Some Risk ● Stay in Position - Build-Up Focus
With a Build-Up focus, the Sweeper Keeper takes up higher positions and becomes more involved as a passing option when the team has possession.
● Rush ● Pass Option ● Build-Up Risk ● Stay in Position
A goalkeeper focused on supporting the build-up as a safe passing option while remaining more conservative during defensive phases.
- Build-Up Focus
With a Build-Up focus, the Ball-Playing Keeper actively offers a passing option during possession but avoids rushing far from the penalty area when defending.
● Pass Option ● Build-Up ● Low Risk ● Rush
Centre Back Roles and Focuses
Defender
A traditional centre back who prioritises fundamental defensive responsibilities, including protecting the goal and maintaining the defensive line.
- Defend Focus
With a Defend focus, the Defender holds their position and concentrates almost entirely on defensive responsibilities.
● Stays Back ● Defending ● Position Discipline ● Attack Support - Balanced Focus
With a Balanced focus, the Defender maintains the defensive line but can step forward to close down an attacker when required.
● Stays Back ● Defending ● Some Pressure ● Limited Width
A proactive centre back who steps forward from the defensive line to challenge opponents, intercept passes and disrupt attacking moves.
- Balanced Focus
With a Balanced focus, the Stopper applies pressure to attackers receiving the ball while attempting to maintain the structure of the defensive line.
● Defending ● Pressure ● Aggressiveness ● Leave Gaps - Defend Focus
With a Defend focus, the Stopper prioritises holding position and steps forward only when a suitable opportunity to challenge appears.
● Stays Back ● Defending ● Position Discipline ● Less Pressure
A modern centre back who is comfortable defending and playing out from the back. They can step forward or move wider to support the team’s build-up play.
- Build-Up Focus
With a Build-Up focus, the Ball-Playing Defender moves into more advanced positions during possession and can operate similarly to a holding midfielder.
● Build-Up Support ● Pass Option ● Versatile ● Out of Position - Defend Focus
With a Defend focus, the Ball-Playing Defender remains closer to the defensive line while offering a safe passing option during possession.
● Defending ● Build-Up Support ● Stays Back ● Attacking
A centre back who moves towards the flank to cover space left by an advancing or absent fullback, making the Role particularly useful in back three systems.
- Defend Focus
With a Defend focus, the Wide Back protects the defensive line and covers opposition attacks developing along the flank.
● Wide Coverage ● Defending ● Position Discipline ● Overlap - Aggressive Focus
With an Aggressive focus, the Wide Back moves higher or wider to press opponents before they can advance down the flank.
● Wide Pressure ● Early Press ● Defensive Support ● Central Gaps - Support Focus
With a Support focus, the Wide Back combines defensive coverage with wider passing support during possession and attacking transitions.
● Defensive Support ● Wide Passing ● Build-Up Support ● Position Discipline
Full Back Roles and Focuses
Fullback
A wide defender who prioritizes protecting their own goal by staying back, holding the defensive line, and offering a safe passing option.
- Defend Focus
With a Defend focus, the Fullback stays close to the defensive line and may move inside to help form a back three when their team has possession.
● Stays Back ● Defending ● Passing Option ● Limited Attack Support - Balanced Focus
With a Balanced focus, the Fullback has more freedom to move forward and provide support from wide areas while maintaining defensive responsibilities.
● Defending ● Wide Support ● Passing Option ● Stamina Usage - Versatile Focus
With a Versatile focus, the Fullback adapts their positioning to the situation, moving inside, supporting wide areas, or advancing when space becomes available.
● Adaptive Positioning ● Defensive Support ● Flexible Movement ● Positional Changes
A modern fullback who moves into central areas when their team has possession, providing an additional passing option in midfield.
- Balanced Focus
With a Balanced focus, the Falseback moves into a central midfield position during possession while retaining some defensive responsibility.
● Build-Up Support ● Passing Option ● Central Positioning ● Limited Width - Defend Focus
With a Defend focus, the Falseback operates as a defensive midfielder when the team has possession and remains prepared for defensive transitions.
● Defensive Support ● Build-Up Support ● Central Positioning ● Limited Width
A wide defender whose movement and stamina allow them to support attacks before returning to their defensive position.
- Balanced Focus
With a Balanced focus, the Wingback moves up and down the flank, contributing to both attacking and defensive phases.
● Wide Support ● Defensive Support ● Forward Runs ● Stamina Usage - Versatile Focus
With a Versatile focus, the Wingback adapts their movement to the match situation, offering width, moving inside, or recovering defensively when required.
● Adaptive Movement ● Wide Support ● Positional Flexibility ● Stamina Usage
An attack-minded defender who pushes forward to provide width and regularly supports the team’s attacking play.
- Support Focus
With a Support focus, the Attacking Wingback advances to provide width and passing options while retaining some defensive responsibility.
● Wide Support ● Passing Option ● Forward Runs ● Stamina Usage - Attack Focus
With an Attack focus, the Attacking Wingback pushes higher up the pitch and prioritizes attacking runs over defensive positioning.
● Attacking ● Wide Support ● Overlapping Runs ● Limited Defensive Support
A wide defender who moves into advanced central areas during possession, supporting build-up play and attacking combinations from midfield.
- Build-Up Focus
With a Build-Up focus, the Inverted Wingback moves inside to provide an additional midfield passing option and help progress possession.
● Build-Up Support ● Central Positioning ● Passing Option ● Limited Width - Attack Focus
With an Attack focus, the Inverted Wingback moves into more advanced central positions and supports attacks around the edge of the penalty area.
● Attack Support ● Central Runs ● Overloads Midfield ● Defensive Recovery
Defensive Midfielder Roles and Focuses
Holding
A defensive midfielder who protects the backline, covers passing lanes, and provides limited attacking support.
- Defend Focus
With a Defend focus, the Holding Midfielder remains deep, shields the defence, and provides a safe passing option.
● Defending ● Stays Back ● Passing Option ● Limited Attack Support - Roaming Focus
With a Roaming focus, the Holding Midfielder moves across central areas to close passing lanes and pressure opponents.
● Defending ● Movement ● Covers Space ● Stamina Usage
A creative midfielder who operates in front of the defence and starts attacks through accurate passing from deep positions.
- Defend Focus
With a Defend focus, the Deep-Lying Playmaker holds a deeper position, helps intercept passes, and distributes the ball from in front of the defence.
● Passing Option ● Build-Up Support ● Holds Position ● Limited Attack Support - Roaming Focus
With a Roaming focus, the Deep-Lying Playmaker moves across the midfield to find space and offer passing options during build-up play.
● Creative ● Movement ● Passing Option ● Positional Freedom
A defensive midfielder who covers the sides of the pitch and fills wide defensive positions when required.
- Build-Up Focus
With a Build-Up focus, the Wide Half moves into wide areas to support possession and provide an additional passing option.
● Passing Option ● Wide Support ● Build-Up Play ● Limited Central Support - Defend Focus
With a Defend focus, the Wide Half drops into fullback or wingback areas to reinforce the defensive line.
● Defending ● Wide Coverage ● Stays Back ● Limited Central Support
A defensive midfielder who drops between the centre-backs during possession, providing additional cover against counterattacks.
- Defend Focus
With a Defend focus, the Centre-Half stays close to the centre-backs and helps protect the central defensive area.
● Defending ● Central Cover ● Stays Back ● Limited Wide Support
A defensive midfielder who makes late runs into the penalty area, adding an unexpected attacking presence from deep.
- Balanced Focus
With a Balanced focus, the Box Crasher supports midfield play before making well-timed runs into the penalty area when opportunities develop.
● Attack Support ● Late Runs ● Central Movement ● Defensive Recovery
Centre Midfielder Roles and Focuses
Holding
A disciplined midfielder who shields the backline and concentrates on defensive responsibilities.
- Defend Focus
With a Defend focus, the Holding Midfielder remains deep, screens the defenders, and provides a safe passing option.
● Defending ● Stays Back ● Passing Option ● Limited Attack Support
A creative midfielder who builds play from deep and connects the defence with more advanced teammates.
- Defend Focus
With a Defend focus, the Deep-Lying Playmaker holds their position and distributes the ball while remaining available to protect the defence.
● Creative ● Passing Option ● Holds Position ● Limited Attack Support
A creative midfielder who finds space, orchestrates possession, and creates attacking opportunities for teammates.
- Roaming Focus
With a Roaming focus, the Playmaker moves freely across midfield to find space and offer passing options.
● Creative ● Movement ● Passing Option ● Positional Freedom - Attack Focus
With an Attack focus, the Playmaker moves into more advanced positions to create chances closer to the penalty area.
● Creative ● Attack Support ● Advanced Positioning ● Limited Defensive Support
A midfielder who moves into the half-spaces, providing width and supporting play between central and wide areas.
- Support Focus
With a Support focus, available only at CM, the Half-Winger links possession between central and wide areas while remaining connected to midfield.
● Linking Play ● Wide Support ● Passing Option ● Limited Forward Runs - Balanced Focus
With a Balanced focus, the Half-Winger combines attacking movement into wide areas with support in midfield.
● Wide Support ● Versatile ● Movement ● Stamina Usage - Attack Focus
With an Attack focus, the Half-Winger advances more aggressively into the half-spaces and supports forward attacks.
● Wide Support ● Attacking ● Forward Runs ● Limited Defensive Support
A dynamic midfielder who covers the space between both penalty areas and contributes to attacking and defensive phases.
- Balanced Focus
With a Balanced focus, the Box-to-Box Midfielder moves between defence and attack, supporting play throughout central areas.
● Attack Support ● Defence Support ● Versatile ● Stamina Usage - Ball-Winning Focus
With a Ball-Winning focus, the Box-to-Box Midfielder places greater emphasis on recovering possession while continuing to contribute across midfield.
● Ball Recovery ● Pressure ● Defensive Support ● Stamina Usage
Attacking Midfielder Roles and Focuses
Playmaker
The creative hub of the midfield, given freedom to find space and generate attacking opportunities.
- Balanced Focus
With a Balanced focus, the Playmaker creates chances while remaining connected to the midfield structure.
● Creative ● Passing Option ● Versatile ● Stamina Usage - Roaming Focus
With a Roaming focus, the Playmaker moves freely across attacking areas to find space and receive the ball.
● Creative ● Movement ● Passing Option ● Positional Freedom
A midfielder who moves into the half-spaces and provides an attacking threat from wide areas.
- Roaming Focus
With a Roaming focus, available only at CAM, the Half-Winger switches between the two sides and searches for space between the lines.
● Creative Runs ● Switches Sides ● Finds Space ● Positional Freedom - Balanced Focus
With a Balanced focus, the Half-Winger combines movement into wide areas with support through the centre.
● Wide Support ● Versatile ● Movement ● Stamina Usage - Attack Focus
With an Attack focus, the Half-Winger moves forward more aggressively and prioritizes attacking runs into wide areas.
● Wide Support ● Attacking ● Forward Runs ● Limited Defensive Support
A traditional attacking midfielder who operates as the central source of creativity and attacking distribution.
- Wide Focus
With a Wide focus, the Classic 10 drifts towards the flanks to find space and initiate attacks from different areas.
● Attack Support ● Creative ● Wide Movement ● Limited Defensive Support - Attack Focus
With an Attack focus, the Classic 10 remains in the space behind the striker and concentrates on creating chances.
● Attack Support ● Creative ● Central Positioning ● Limited Mobility - Versatile Focus
With a Versatile focus, the Classic 10 adapts their positioning and movement to the development of each attack.
● Creative ● Adaptive Movement ● Finds Space ● Positional Changes
An attacking midfielder who operates behind the striker and times forward runs into the penalty area.
- Attack Focus
With an Attack focus, the Shadow Striker makes late runs into the box to create and finish scoring opportunities.
● Attacking Runs ● Central Support ● Goal Threat ● Limited Defensive Support
Right/Left Midfielder Roles and Focuses
Winger
A wide midfielder who stays close to the touchline and supports play from the flanks.
- Attack Focus
With an Attack focus, the Winger pushes forward and looks to make runs behind the defensive line.
● Wide Support ● Attack Support ● Runs in Behind ● Limited Defending - Balanced Focus
With a Balanced focus, the Winger combines forward runs with passing support and some defensive contribution.
● Wide Support ● Passing Option ● Versatile ● Stamina Usage
A midfielder who maintains width, facilitates possession, and provides defensive support from the flank.
- Defend Focus
With a Defend focus, the Wide Midfielder drops deeper and helps protect the defensive side of the pitch.
● Wide Coverage ● Stays Back ● Passing Option ● Limited Attack Support - Support Focus
With a Support focus, the Wide Midfielder retains width and contributes to possession and defensive structure.
● Wide Support ● Passing Option ● Defensive Support ● Limited Forward Runs - Build-Up Focus
With a Build-Up focus, the Wide Midfielder moves into positions that help progress possession along the flank.
● Build-Up Support ● Wide Support ● Ball Circulation ● Limited Goal Threat
A creative wide midfielder who starts near the touchline but can move inside to create chances.
- Attack Focus
With an Attack focus, the Wide Playmaker advances into attacking positions and looks to create opportunities from the flank or inside channels.
● Creative ● Attack Support ● Wide Positioning ● Limited Defensive Support
A wide attacker who moves inside onto their preferred foot to shoot or create decisive passes.
- Attack Focus
With an Attack focus, the Inside Forward makes aggressive runs into central attacking areas.
● Attacking ● Central Support ● Cuts Inside ● Limited Defensive Support - Balanced Focus
With a Balanced focus, the Inside Forward combines central attacking runs with passing support and limited defensive contribution.
● Attack Support ● Passing Option ● Cuts Inside ● Stamina Usage
Winger Roles and Focuses
Inside Forward
A wide attacker who cuts inside onto their preferred foot to shoot, create a decisive pass, or make a run behind the defence.
- Roaming Focus
With a Roaming focus, the Inside Forward moves freely across attacking areas to exploit gaps in the opposition’s defence.
● Movement ● Attack Support ● Finds Space ● Positional Freedom - Balanced Focus
With a Balanced focus, the Inside Forward combines runs behind the defence with passing support and limited defensive contribution.
● Attack Support ● Passing Option ● Cuts Inside ● Stamina Usage - Attack Focus
With an Attack focus, the Inside Forward prioritizes direct central runs and attacking positions close to goal.
● Attacking ● Central Support ● Cuts Inside ● Limited Defensive Support
A wide attacker who stays close to the touchline and stretches the opposition’s defensive shape.
- Attack Focus
With an Attack focus, the Winger pushes forward and looks to make runs behind the defensive line.
● Wide Support ● Attack Support ● Runs in Behind ● Limited Defending - Balanced Focus
With a Balanced focus, the Winger alternates between runs in behind and providing a passing option on the flank.
● Wide Support ● Passing Option ● Versatile ● Stamina Usage - Versatile Focus
With a Versatile focus, the Winger adapts their movement by staying wide, moving centrally, or attacking space behind the defence.
● Adaptive Movement ● Wide or Central ● Creative ● Positional Changes
A creative wide player who can move inside to link possession and help break down the opposition’s defence.
- Attack Focus
With an Attack focus, the Wide Playmaker moves forward to receive the ball and create opportunities from wide or inside positions.
● Creative ● Attack Support ● Passing Option ● Limited Defensive Support
Striker Roles and Focuses
Advanced Forward
A versatile attacker who remains close to the defensive line, offers passing options, and makes runs behind the defence.
- Versatile Focus
With a Versatile focus, the Advanced Forward adapts their movement by drifting wide, dropping deeper, or remaining central.
● Adaptive Movement ● Attacking ● Passing Option ● Positional Changes - Attack Focus
With an Attack focus, the Advanced Forward stays high and concentrates on runs that create goalscoring opportunities.
● Attacking ● Runs in Behind ● Central Support ● Limited Build-Up Support
A physical attacker who holds up the ball, shields possession, and brings teammates into attacking play.
- Wide Focus
With a Wide focus, the Target Forward moves towards the sides of the penalty area to create space or compete for crosses.
● Physical ● Wide Support ● Attacking ● Limited Central Presence - Balanced Focus
With a Balanced focus, the Target Forward drops away from the defensive line to hold up possession and connect with teammates.
● Physical ● Build-Up Support ● Passing Option ● Limited Mobility - Attack Focus
With an Attack focus, the Target Forward remains higher and concentrates on occupying defenders and finishing chances.
● Physical ● Attacking ● Central Support ● Limited Mobility
A striker who stays forward and looks to exploit space behind the defensive line to score goals.
- Versatile Focus
With a Versatile focus, the Poacher adapts their runs by drifting wide, moving across defenders, or remaining central.
● Attacking Runs ● Adaptive Movement ● Goal Threat ● Positional Changes - Attack Focus
With an Attack focus, the Poacher remains close to the defensive line and looks for opportunities to run behind or react to defensive errors.
● Attacking Runs ● Central Support ● Goal Threat ● Limited Defensive Support
A forward who drops into midfield to receive the ball, connect possession, and create space for teammates.
- Build-Up Focus
With a Build-Up focus, the False 9 drops away from the defensive line and operates as a creative passing option between midfield and attack.
● Creative ● Build-Up Support ● Movement ● Limited Penalty Area Presence - Attack Focus
With an Attack focus, the False 9 continues to link possession but moves into more advanced positions to provide a direct goal threat.
● Linking Play ● Attack Support ● Versatile ● Less Support from Deep
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