FC 26 ROLES
FC 26 Roles enable you to pre-select how your players perform off the ball and out of possession in-game.
FC 26 Roles
Player Roles continue to be a key part of FC 26, shaping how players perform off the ball and out of possession as part of FC IQ.
EA FC 26 features 33 Player Roles, with each position (except goalkeeper) having between three and five distinct roles, resulting in a total of 56 role and focus combinations available in the game.
How to Set Up FC 26 Player Roles
- From the main Ultimate Team screen, press R1/RB three times to select [Club];
- Select [Squad];
- Press L3 to popup [Squad Actions];
- Select [Team Management];
- Select one of the tactics available and select [Edit Tactic];
- Press R1/RB once to go to the [Player Roles] tab;
- Make the desired changes and save.
Roles and Focuses
FC 26 Roles dictate how each player thinks, moves, and behaves off the ball. From goalkeepers to strikers, every position has specific Roles and Focuses that shape player behavior both with and without the ball, which you can view in the menus.
Think of the system like this:
- Player Roles
These define a player’s behavior off the ball, such as positioning, movement, and decision-making in various game situations (e.g., tracking back, making runs). Each position has its own Role that determines its primary responsibilities. - Focus
This is a modifier applied to the Role. It allows you to fine-tune one or two specific aspects of the Role, adjusting characteristics to suit tactical preferences. - HyperMotionV
This system captures unique motion characteristics of players, affecting how they move and interact with the ball in real-time. It influences the realism of player animations. - OVR (Overall Rating)
This represents a player’s physical and mental attributes, summarizing their overall performance potential. - PlayStyles
These are the skills players exhibit when they’re on the ball. They define unique traits like dribbling, passing, or shooting abilities.
Role Familiarity
Each playerhave a Role Familiarity that allows them to perform their duties at a higher capacity than others. While the Roles are determined per position, Familiarity is connected to specific players and acts on the Role level. IT is position-based, meaning that if a player has that position as one of their preferred ones, they can play any role in that position. This logic applies to any position a player might have.
- Base
If a player is assigned a position that is one of their preferred positions, they will have access to all of the Roles of those positions in at least a Base level. - Role+
Every player will have at least one Role+, indicating that they are accomplished in that Role. - Role++
Reserved for the best-of-the-best, the few players with Role++ are world class in that Role. - Out of Position
The yellow exclamation mark indicates a simplified version of the Role when the player is out of position.
Out of Position players will still be able to play that position but at a much lower quality than someone who is designed to be there. This allows you to still use these players but they might not fit the ideal tactic you are trying to create.
Frequently Asked Questions
FC 26 Player Roles allow you to choose in advance how your players perform off the ball and out of possession in-game.
FC 26 Player Roles allow you to choose in advance how your players perform off the ball and out of possession in-game.
Position | Role – Focus
Goalkeeper
Position | Role – Focus
Goalkeeper
- Goalkeeper (Defend | Balanced)
- Sweeper Keeper (Balanced | Build-Up)
- Fullback (Defend | Balanced)
- Falseback (Defend | Balanced)
- Wingback (Balanced)
- Attacking Wingback (Balanced | Attack)
- Defender (Defend | Balanced)
- Stopper (Balanced)
- Ball-Playing Defender (Defend | Build-Up)
- Holding (Defend | Roaming)
- Centre-Half (Defend)
- Deep-Lying Playmaker (Defend | Roaming)
- Wide Half (Build-Up | Defend)
- Box-to-Box (Balanced)
- Holding (Defend)
- Deep-Lying Playmaker (Defend)
- Playmaker (Attack | Roaming)
- Half-Winger (Balanced | Attack)
- Winger (Balanced | Attack)
- Wide Midfielder (Defend | Balanced)
- Wide Playmaker (Attack)
- Inside Forward (Balanced | Attack)
- Playmaker (Balanced | Roaming)
- Shadow Striker (Attack)
- Half-Winger (Balanced | Attack)
- Classic 10 (Wide | Attack)
- Winger (Balanced | Attack)
- Inside Forward (Balanced | Attack | Roaming)
- Wide Playmaker (Attack)
- Advanced Forward (Attack | Complete)
- Poacher (Attack)
- False 9 (Build-Up)
- Target Forward (Balanced | Attack | Wide)
Goalkeeper Roles and Focuses
Goalkeeper
A traditional goalkeeper who stays on their line and focuses on shot-stopping.
- Defend Focus
With a Defender focus, the Goalkeeper won’t rush out to collect long or loose balls.
● Stay in Position ● Defending ● Low Risk ● Rush - Balanced Focus
With a Balanced focus, the Goalkeeper will occasionally leave their area to collect long or loose balls.
● Stay in Position ● Defending ● Some Risk ● Rush
A modern goalkeeper who is able to stop attacks and support build-up play as a passing option.
- Balanced Focus
A Balanced focus allows the Sweeper Keeper to leave their area to collect balls close to their box.
● Rush ● Pass Option ● Some Risk ● Stay in Position - Build-Up Focus
A Build-Up focus encourages the Sweeper Keeper to push even higher up the pitch to collect the ball and support play.
● Rush ● Pass Option ● Some Risk ● Stay in Position
Centre Back Roles and Focuses
Defender
A no-nonsense centre-back who excels at the basics of defending, including maintaining the defensive line.
- Defend Focus
When asked to Defend, the Defender will focus only on their defensive responsibilities.
● Stays Back ● Defending ● Limited Versatility ● Pass Option - Balanced Focus
With a Balanced focus, the Defender will step up to close down attackers when needed.
● Stays Back ● Defending ● Limited Versatility ● Limited Width
A ball-winning centre-back who will step forward from the defensive line to make tackles, intercept passes, and lead the press.
- Balanced Focus
With a Balanced focus, the Stopper will intercept passes and pressure attackers receiving the ball.
● Defending ● Pressure ● Aggressiveness ● Leave Gaps - Aggressive Focus
When asked to be Aggressive, the Stopper will push up into the base of midfield to intercept passes and close down attackers.
● Pressure ● Aggressiveness ● Defence Support ● Leaves Gaps
A modern centre back who is as comfortable playing offside as playing the ball. Capable of moving forward or wider to support build-up play.
- Build-Up Focus
The Build-Up focus moves the Ball-playing Defender into more of a holding defensive midfielder during possession.
● Build-Up Support ● Defence Support ● Versatile ● Out of Position - Aggressive Focus
When asked to be Aggressive, the Ball-Playing Defender will focus on intercepting apsses and closing down opponents.
● Pressure ● Aggressiveness ● Build-Up Support ● Leave Gaps - Defend Focus
When set to Defend, the Ball-playing Defender will step up a little to support teammates during possession.
● Defending ● Build-Up Support ● Stays Back ● Leave Gaps
Full Back Roles and Focuses
Fullback
A wide defender that will prioritise protecting their own goal, by standing back, holding the defensive line, and offering a passing option to release pressure.
- Defend Focus
When set to Defend, the Fullback will move inside to form a back three when their team is in possession.
● Stays Back ● Defending ● Limited Versatility ● Wide Support - Balanced Focus
When set to Balanced, the Fullback is granted more freedom to push slightly forward and wider in support of attacks.
● Defending ● Stays Back ● Pass Option ● Attack Support
A modern evolution of the fullback, this player pushes up the field, adopting a central position, when their team has the ball.
- Balanced Focus
When set to Balanced, the Falseback positions themselves as a Central Midfielder when their team is in possession.
● Build-Up Support ● Defence Support ● Limited Width ● Out of Position - Defend Focus
When set to Defend, the Falseback operates as a Defensive Midfielder when the team has the ball.
● Defending ● Build-Up Support ● Limited Width ● Out of Position
This player’s versatility and stamina allows them to push upfield to support attacks, before returning to their defensive position.
- Support Focus
When asked to Support, the Wingback can only attack when their team has controlled possession, and only defend when the team doesn’t have the ball.
● Wide Support ● Defence Option ● Out of Position ● Stamina Usage - Balanced Focus
With Balanced, the Wingback is given license to stay forward even when the team is out of possession, or drop back into defence when needed.
● Wide Support ● Movement ● Versatile ● Stamina Usage
Though technically a defender, this player will be more concerned with getting forward, and offering width to their team’s attacks.
- Attack Focus
When asked to Attack, the Attacking Wingback will push even higher up the pitch, and perform fewer defensive duties.
● Attacking ● Wide SUpport ● Out of Position ● Defending - Balanced Focus
When asked to be Balanced, the Attacking Wingback will rarely sprint back to defend, unless the team has been hit on the counter.
● Wide Support ● Attacking ● Stamina Usage ● Defending
Defensive Midfielder Roles and Focuses
Holding
A pivotal role in modern football, this defence-minded midfielder focuses on guarding their backline during attacks, and covering off against counter attacks, with limited attacking support.
- Ball-Winning Focus
The Ball-Winning focus tasks the Holding Midfielder with aggressively intercepting passing as part of their defensive focus.
● Defending ● Aggressiveness ● Limited Versatility ● Pass Option - Roaming Focus
When set to Roaming, the Holding Midfielder will move across the width of the pitch to close passing lanes, and step up to press attackers.
● Defending ● Movement ● Pass Option ● Stamina Usage - Defend Focus
When instructed to Defend, the Holding Midfielder will move slightly higher to offer a passing option, but will otherwise focus on defending.
● Defending ● Stays Back ● Pass Option ● Lacks Mobility
The key cog to building up play from the back, this defensively positioned midfielder will often be the catalyst for attacks.
- Build-Up Focus
When set to Build-Up, the Deep-lying Playmaker will move forward and offer a passing option to support attacks.
● Creative ● Versatile ● Pass Option ● Support the Defence - Roaming Focus
The Roaming focus allows the Deep-lying Playmaker to move across the width of the pitch to support attacks.
● Creative ● Movement ● Pass Option ● Out of Position - Defend Focus
With a Defend focus, the Deep-lying Playmaker will focus on closing down passing lanes and staying back while their team attacks.
● Defending ● Creative ● Intercepts Passes ● Attacking
A defensive midfielder charged with marking and covering the sides of the pitch when needed.
- Build-Up Focus
When set to Build-Up, the Wide Half can move into the Wingback position, and forward into Wide Midfielder territory, when their team is in possession.
● Pass Option ● Wide Support ● Supports Defence ● Supports Centrally - Defend Focus
When instructed to Defend, the Wide Half can drop into Fullback and Wingback positions while their team has the ball.
● Defending ● Wide Support ● Stays Back ● Supports Centrally
A defensive midfielder who will drop between the Centre Backs while their team is in possession to offer protection against the counter attack.
- Defend Focus
When set to Defend, the Centre Half will focus on their defensive duties.
● Defending ● Supports Centrally ● Limited Versatility ● Wide Support
Centre Midfielder Roles and Focuses
Holding
A pivotal role in modern football, this defence-minded midfielder focuses on guarding their backline during attacks, and covering off against counter attacks, with limited attacking support.
- Ball-Winning Focus
The Ball-Winning focus tasks the Holding Midfielder with aggressively intercepting passing as part of their defensive focus.
● Defending ● Aggressiveness ● Limited Versatility ● Pass Option - Defend Focus
When instructed to Defend, the Holding Midfielder will move slightly higher to offer a passing option, but will otherwise focus on defending.
● Defending ● Stays Back ● Pass Option ● Lacks Mobility
The key cog to building up play from the back, this defensively positioned midfielder will often be the catalyst for attacks.
- Build-Up Focus
When set to Build-Up, the Deep-lying Playmaker will move forward and offer a passing option to support attacks.
● Creative ● Versatile ● Pass Option ● Supports the Defence - Defend Focus
With a Defend focus, the Deep-lying Playmaker will focus on closing down passing lanes and staying back while their team attacks.
● Defending ● Creative ● Intercepts Passes ● Attacking
This player tends to be the creative fulcrum of a midfield, given license to roam and create space and opportunities for attacks. Likely to be out of position if the opposition counters.
- Roaming Focus
When set to Roaming, the Playmaker will have freedom to explore the pitch to find the best spaces to support attacks.
● Creative ● Movement ● Out of Position ● Defence Support - Attack Focus
When set to Attack, the Playmaker will move forward to support attacks higher up on the field.
● Creative ● Attack Support ● Limited Width ● Defence Support
A midfielder who provides width when their team is in possession, moving along the flanks to offer a wide threat. Particularly effective when one of three central midfielders.
- Balanced Focus
When Balanced, the Half Winger will alternate equally between attacking and defending in a measured way.
● Wide Support ● Versatile ● Movement ● Stamina Usage - Attack Focus
When set to Attack, the Half Winger can advance freely, sacrificing defensive responsibilities.
● Wide Support ● Attacking ● Out of Position ● Defence Support
This player operates between the two boxes, operating as neither the last line of defence, nor the final part of the attack, but involved in everything in-between.
- Balanced Focus
When asked to be Balanced, the Box-to-box Midfielder will cover the centre of the pitch in attack and defence.
● Attack Support ● Defence Support ● Versatile ● Stamina Usage
Attacking Midfielder Roles and Focuses
Playmaker
This player tends to be the creative fulcrum of a midfield, given license to roam and create space and opportunities for attacks. Likely to be out of position if the opposition counters.
- Build-Up Focus
With Build-Up, the Playmaker is asked to drop deeper to get the ball, and orchestrate an attack.
● Creative ● Build-Up Support ● Movement ● Supports Attacks - Roaming Focus
When set to Roaming, the Playmaker will have freedom to explore the pitch to find the best spaces to support attacks.
● Creative ● Movement ● Out Of Position ● Defence Support - Balanced Focus
When asked to be Balanced, the Playmaker will offer defensive support when needed, as well as orchestrating attacks.
● Creative ● Versatile ● Pass Option ● Stamina Usage
A midfielder who provides width when their team is in possession, moving along the flanks to offer a wide threat. Particularly effective when one of three central midfielders.
- Balanced Focus
When Balanced, the Half Winger will alternate equally between attacking and defending in a measured way.
● Wide Support ● Versatile ● Movement ● Stamina Usage - Attack Focus
When set to Attack, the Half Winger can advance freely, sacrificing defensive responsibilities.
● Wide Support ● Attacking ● Out of Position ● Defence Support
A traditional attacking midfielder, through whom most creative and attacking play will go through.
- Wide Focus
When set to Wide, the Classic 10 is able to drift out to the wing, and dictate attacks from anywhere across the width of the pitch.
● Support Attacks ● Creative ● Wide Support ● Supports the Defence - Attack Focus
When asked to Attack, the Classic 10 will maintain their position in the pocket behind the forward line, operating as the team’s chief creative force.
● Supports Attacks ● Creative ● Limited Versatility ● Lacks Mobility
An attack-minded midfielder who plays in the ‘hole’ behind the strikers. Their well-timed runs into the box will result in plenty of goal-scoring opportunities.
- Attack Focus
When set to Attack, the Shadow Striker will focus on making late runs into the box, filling the space behind the striker.
● Attacking Runs ● Support Centrally ● Stamina Usage ● Defence Support
Right/Left Midfielder Roles and Focuses
Winger
A wide midfielder who will always stay wide, hugging the touchline, offering support on the flanks in all phases of play.
- Attack Focus
When set to Attack, the Winger will focus on getting forward, and prefers to make runs behind the defence instead of receiving the ball to feet.
● Wide Support ● Attack Support ● Pass Option ● Defending - Balanced Focus
When Balanced, the Winger will offer both defensive and attacking support. They mix making runs in behind and offering themselves as a passing option.
● Wide Support ● Pass Option ● Versatile ● Stamina Usage
A midfielder who stays wide to facilitate play, providing passing and defensive support, but rarely ventures forward to attack.
- Defend Focus
When asked to Defend, the Wide Midfielder will drop into the defensive midfield and protect the defence.
● Wide Support ● Stays Back ● Pass Option ● Attack Support - Balanced Focus
When Balanced, the Wide Midfielder will stay wide to support possession and provide defensive support when needed.
● Wide Support ● Versatile ● Pass Option ● Lacks Mobility
A creative outlet positioned out wide, but able to move inside to help create chances to unpick defences.
- Build-Up Focus
When set to Build-Up, the Wide Playmaker will come short to offer a passing option, while balancing their approach to support the defence if needed.
● Creative ● Build-Up Support ● Supports the Defence ● Support Centrally - Attack Focus
With an Attack focus, the Wide Playmaker will move forward, and receive passes out wide.
● Creative ● Attack Support ● Wide Support ● Defence Support
A wide attacker who begins on the wing, but will regularly cut inside onto their preferred foot to shoot or play the final pass. The tend to run in behind the defence.
- Attack Focus
When given an Attack focus, the Inside Forward will focus on cutting inside and making attacking runs.
● Attacking ● Support Centrally ● Cut Inside ● Defence Support - Balanced Focus
When Balanced, the Inside Forward will offer minimal defensive support, and sometimes hold off making runs in behind to instead offer passing options.
● Attack Support● Pass Option ● Cut Inside ● Stamina Usage
Winger Roles and Focuses
Inside Forward
A wide attacker who begins on the wing, but will regularly cut inside onto their preferred foot to shoot or play the final pass. The tend to run in behind the defence.
- Roaming Focus
When set to Roaming, the inside Forward is allowed to freely explore and exploit any defensive gaps they can find.
● Movement ● Attack Support ● Cut Inside ● Out of Position - Balanced Focus
When Balanced, the Inside Forward will offer minimal defensive support, and sometimes hold off making runs in behind to instead offer passing options.
● Attack Support ● Pass Option ● Cut Inside ● Stamina Usage - Attack Focus
When given an Attack focus, the Inside Forward will focus on cutting inside and making attacking runs.
● Attacking ● Support Centrally ● Cut Inside ● Defence Support
A wide midfielder who will always stay wide, hugging the touchline, offering support on the flanks in all phases of play.
- Attack Focus
When set to Attack, the Winger will focus on getting forward, and prefers to make runs behind the defence instead of receiving the ball to feet.
● Wide Support ● Attack Support ● Pass Option ● Defending - Balanced Focus
When Balanced, the Winger will offer both defensive and attacking support. They mix making runs in behind and offering themselves as a passing option.
● Wide Support ● Pass Option ● Versatile ● Stamina Usage
A creative outlet positioned out wide, but able to move inside to help create chances to unpick defences.
- Build-Up Focus
When set to Build-Up, the Wide Playmaker will come short to offer a passing option, while balancing their approach to support the defence if needed.
● Creative ● Build-Up Support ● Supports the Defence ● Support Centrally - Attack Focus
With an Attack focus, the Wide Playmaker will move forward, and receive passes out wide.
● Creative ● Attack Support ● Wide Support ● Defence Support
Striker Roles and Focuses
Advanced Forward
A versatile attacker who usually stays close to the opposition’s defensive line, but opens themselves up for passes in the build up, and makes runs in behind for scoring chances.
- Support Focus
When set to Support, the Advanced Forward will look to make runs from deeper or wider positions, and press the defenders.
● Attacking ● Pressure ● Versatile ● Stamina Usage - Complete Focus
When set to Complete, the Advanced Forward has the freedom to move wide when necessary to receive a pass or create space with a run.
● Attacking ● Versatile ● Movement ● Build-Up Support - Attack Focus
With an Attack focus, the Advanced Forward will concentrate on goal-scoring opportunities, usually positioning themselves high and central on the pitch.
● Attacking ● Pass Option ● Versatile ● Limited Width
An attacking outlet whose physicality allows them to hold up play, shielding the ball from opponents, and bring others into attacks. They feed on crosses as well as passes to feet.
- Wide Focus
When set to Wide, the Target Forward will drift to the edges of the box in a search for space to make an impact.
● Physical ● Wide Support ● Attacking ● Support Centrally - Balanced Focus
When Balanced, the Target Forward will drop off from the defensive line, hold up play, and lay the ball off to teammates. They will have minor defensive duties.
● Physical ● Build-Up Support ● Defence Support ● Lacks Mobility - Attack Focus
With an Attack focus, the Target Forward is free to focus on going forward, without any defensive instructions.
● Physical ● Attacking ● Build-Up Support ● Lacks Mobility
This player has one objective: score goals. They stay forward and focus on making runs in behind the defence, hoping to fashion a chance to score.
- Support Focus
When set to Support, the Poacher will stay close to the opposition defence, aggressively pressing them when in possession, in the hope of triggering a mistake.
● Attacking Runs ● Pressure ● Limited Width ● Stamina Usage - Attack Focus
With an Attack focus, the Poacher will lurk just off the defensive line, ready to capitalise on any defensive gaps or errors.
● Attacking Runs ● Support Centrally ● Limited Width ● Defence Support
Positioned in the forward line, this player drops deep to dictate play, in the space in front of a defence. This also allows them to contribute towards defensive phases of the game.
- Build-Up Focus
With Build-Up, the False 9 will drop back from the opposition’s defence, and operate as a playmaker, leading attacks.
● Creative ● Build-Up Support ● Movement ● Attacking
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