In FIFA 22 Ultimate Team, it doesn’t matter if you have the best players if they’re not linked up in a suitable formation. Get up to date with the best formations in the game and raise the bar with tried and tested strategies.

FIFA 22 Ultimate Team – Must-Know Tips

EA Sports’ newest instalment of the FIFA franchise, Division Rivals, is the primary online game mode. That’s where all the action happens. While in FUT Champs, the goal is to trade your way to the best cards, in Division Rivals, players put their team and manager abilities to the test in 1v1 confrontations. 

FIFA Players are attracted by the sense of competition in the game. More and more battle in tournaments worldwide, striving to book a spot in a high-rated esports team. Naturally, that translates into impressive viewership numbers for a game that’s merely been released a few months back.  

With the game’s steady popularity, it’s natural that growing numbers of players begin their journey in FIFA 22’s exciting online game mode. 

If you want to rise through the ranks and reach the top of Division Rivals faster, check out our list of gameplay tips. We’ve collected them from actual pro players to help you enhance your skills and score with greater ease. 

• Optimize team chemistry

Your team will perform better if your players’ chemistry links are optimized. Players of the same club, league or nationality naturally perform better together. A common strategy is to build your team around players who play in the same league or otherwise have strong chemistry links by default. Your manager should also be compatible with the players to provide extra points for chemistry.

• Don’t overlook defending

It’s easy to focus solely on your front players and disregard defending. Experienced opponents may seem like they’re playing safe, only to unleash a vicious counterattack out of the blue. Be prepared and set up defending tactics the right way. If you’re against a conservative player, arm yourself with a 3-5-2 formation and dominate the midfield. If you’re battling against an all-out-attack type of player, make sure your defence has enough support.

• Practice skill moves

Spice up your attacking play with FIFA 22’s new skill moves, but only try them with capable players. Players with a skill rating below 4 stars may not perform the moves you need when you need them, and you risk losing the ball. Go into practice mode and master your players’ skills to gain an edge against your opponents.

• Use high-rated players

Build your team around the highest-rated players but choose them wisely to suit their position on the field. Your wingers should score high for pace and reactions. Any other role should be attributed to those performing best on their respective qualities.  

Kick-off without a clinical striker, and that’s a recipe for missed opportunities. Pick from this list to enhance your team with football’s greatest talents. Refine your choice of players according to your goals and consider their link-up with other teammates. 

For example, if you’re going to add Messi to your team, make sure to provide him with a co-national wingman or a PSG-midfield colleague. That way, you’re ensured to make the most of his abilities.

• Don’t always break the bank on new cards

FIFA Ultimate Team wasn’t transformed sensibly in the newest instalment of the game. Buying and selling players works along the same lines. That means you should still be cautious with how you spend your coins. Don’t throw your hard-earned coins on the first star player card that crosses your view. 

You have a chance of finding even better cards if you check the market periodically, particularly at hours when there are fewer users on the network. Sometimes it’s better to wait for the best cards to find their way into your team by themselves. Act strategically and sell your players before the weekend to get the best deals. 

• Learn to switch formations on the go

Changing formations and updating your tactics won’t impact players’ attributes. Still, creating a realistic battle plan is a necessity. Having clear-cut instructions and a well-planned player positioning can be a significant advantage in competitive play.

For example, if your opponent drives his attackers forward, try leaving your left-back and right-back behind. In the Squad hub, go to Player Instructions and set your midfielders to stay back while attacking. Adapt to your opponent’s moves and update your formation accordingly. Scenarios vary, and it never comes down to simply attacking or being defensive. Learn to use both to your advantage. 

Top 5 FIFA 22 Formations 

Now that you’re starting to get your bearings with Tactics and Player Instructions, it’s time to work on your team’s core. If you plan on bringing the heat at EA’s Global Series tournaments, do your homework beforehand and prepare to face opponents of every kind. 

Here are the 5 formations that any FIFA 22 player should be accustomed to before diving into competitive online play. 

1. Balanced 4-3-1-2

This shape is one of the best if you strive for balance between attack and defence. You get all the power you need for attacking, and the 2 CDMs will help your defenders keep the goal intact. If you’ve watched Liverpool’s recent matches, you were likely watching a variation on this arrangement.

You’ll need a skilled passer to fill the role of your CAM, so be sure to check individual attributes when you select your squad. Modify Forward Runs to unleash the potential of the 4-3-1-2 formation with 5 attacking in the opposing half.

2. Guardiola’s 4-3-3

If you’re a fan of Guardiola’s style, you can try and emulate his preferred formation. Hailed as a tactical genius, the Spanish manager now employs a 4-3-3 system at Manchester City to great success. 

Follow these steps if you want your team to play like City:

1. With the classic 4-3-3 Holding as a starting point, go to Tactics.
2. Select ‘Press after possession loss’ as defensive style.
3. Pair `Slow build up` with ‘Possession’ in the Chance Creation field. 
4. Draw the players nearer to each other by selecting a 20 width. 
5. Bring more players in the box than the default value. 
6. Then, go to Player Instructions and have your wingers ‘Stay back while attacking’.
7. Give your central midfielders some positioning freedom by leaving the trigger on ‘Free Roam’.

With these settings, your team becomes a pressing machine that recovers the ball quickly and keeps it for extended periods. And when you have the ball, it’s only natural that scoring chances will follow. This formation gives

3. Modified 4-2-2-2

Also known as the ‘Magic Rectangle’, this formation is based on a classic 4-4-2 shape. It focuses on creating spaces for your midfielders to develop dangerous actions. Most famously, it was employed by 60s Brazil. Still, it has found an outing in recent times as well, in Pellegrini’s Villareal. 

You should pick this formation only if you’re comfortable playing without a playmaker. Keep in mind that your defensive midfielders may go forward by default. Therefore, your defence may become exposed if you rush into attack too soon. 

Pro players advise you to have a right-footed CAM on the left and a leftie on the right. This way, you’ll get into favourable crossing or shooting positions much more frequently.

Combine this formation with moderate pressing and forward runs. Be wary with such an attack-minded tactic if your opponent plays defensively.

4. Ultra-attacking 4-2-4

There will be situations in which you’re forced to go all-out attack. The 4-2-4 formation brings you the right density upfront, resulting in more scoring chances. 

However, you may become exposed with only 2 central midfielders behind to help the defenders. You’ll notice the game take on a different level of pace, and you’ll get to the opponent’s goal much faster. But that means your opponent may capitalize on your defensive gaps. 

This formation is helpful when you feel there’s no return. If you manage to equalize, switch to a more traditional style of play for the remainder of the game. This way, you avoid draining your players’ stamina.

5. Park the bus 5-4-1

Who said your opponents would play fair? In your ‘career’ as an online FIFA 22 player, you’ll encounter annoying rivals who score 1 goal then stick to defending for the rest of the game. It’s not uncommon to see them win the match with 1 single shot on goal while you’ve been struggling with dozens of shots. Their secret is a 5-4-1 formation.

Maintaining a lead is fundamental in competitive online play. Suppose you want to play cynically and conserve your advantage, set up your team in a 5-4-1 formation. Your opponent will have a hard time advancing towards your goal, as the last line of defence is crammed.

To combat a player who tries to park the bus, you can use a high-width 3-5-2 formation or any other offensive formation relying on quick wingers. Instruct your forward players to get into the box, and you might find a crack in that unbreakable defence.

Concluding remarks

There’s only one way to get better: never stop practising. If you’re on a bad streak, relax for a moment. Recheck our gameplay tips and see where you can improve. 

Play a few matches with each formation to get used to their advantages. Don’t forget that all FIFA 22 team shapes have both strengths and weaknesses, so use them in the proper context!