FIFA 23 is here, and you're likely trying to find the best custom tactics to get the jump on your friends right off the mark.
It can be tricky to find the right balance between defence and attack in the game, and these tactics can of course be tailored to each individual player's needs.
Nonetheless, we've given a stab at putting together our best set of FIFA 23 custom tactics, to give you the best chance to start winning games instantly in Ultimate Team, Career Mode, and Pro Clubs.
FIFA 23: The best custom tactics
FIFA 23: Formations
You're going to need to start by setting up your team the right way, and that begins with the formation.
We prefer to go for the 4-3-3 (2) formation, a standard 4-3-3 with a defensive midfielder. This offers you the perfect balance between having bodies forward in attack, while also offering protection to your back four.
The presence of a defensive midfielder also allows two of your midfield to focus more on the attack. With the power of balls in behind on this year's game, you're going to want passing engines coming from midfield, and this set up allows a balance in the centre of the pitch.
Player instructions
We have a good few specific instructions to give to players on FIFA 23, starting with that all-important CDM.
The importance of having your CDM is to provide defensive cover, so you're going to want to make sure he stays back while attacking, while also making sure that he covers the centre of the field. Everything else can stay at the preset (as seen above), but you'll want to give these specific instructions to get him operating at peak capacity.
When it comes to full-backs, you're going to want to set up one full-back to stay back on attacks, to ensure that you have adequate defensive cover should your opponent try to counterattack. You can be tactical here - try and choose your more defensively astute full-back to stay behind, with your more creative one getting forward (i.e., keep Andy Robertson back while sending Trent forward, if playing with Liverpool).
Finally, you're also going to want to give your striker some specific instructions to give your attack some structure.
As mentioned already, through balls have some serious power on this year's game, so you're going to want to ensure your front man is getting in behind the defence. That way, your midfielders will have some dangerous runs to pick out with their passing game.
Other than that, the set up for your striker is fairly standard. If you apply these player instructions, you should have all three areas of the pitch working together routinely well.
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FIFA 23: Defensive style
"Pressing" is the name of the game in modern football, but you're going to have to be careful about preserving your players' energy on FIFA 23, as their stamina can dwindle quickly.
For that reason, we recommend simply going with "general" as your defensive style, rather than overworking your players with any of the pressing setups. This setup does give you a well rounded defensive setup, though admittedly without the frenzied pressing you might expect from a Pep Guardiola or Jurgen Klopp side. Nonetheless, you can compensate for this with the settings for width and depth below.
"General" - preserve energy and stamina of players ... overturn ball in dangerous areas
Defensive width
Keeping your defence relatively tight will make it harder for runners to get in behind, while also ensuring that you have sufficient bodies in the box to defend against crosses.
For that reason, we recommend going somewhere between 30 and 50 for your defensive width.
Defensive depth
With the already mentioned power of through balls and long crosses on the game this year, you're going to have to be seriously careful in defending against them.
For that reason, you want your depth to be somewhere between 30 and 50, to protect against strikers getting behind a high line.
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FIFA 23: Offensive style
This one does depend on your playing style somewhat, but we'd highly recommend using the "fast build up" setting, especially if you have pace up front in your team.
This way, you can make the best use of your two creative midfielders, and get your attacking game moving quickly. It does leave you open to counterattack, but the defensive settings and player instructions above should help you.
Offensive width
You will want players to drift wide and get into crossing positions, but the way you have your striker set up will also allow you the opportunity to create chances from central areas.
For this reason, we're going for a width of 40 to 50, which gives you a good balance between wide and central play.
Players in box
You're once again going for balance here, not wanting to overload to box with players while also wanting to have options when crossing.
For that reason, we'd recommend going somewhere between 4 and 6 on this setting, depending on the style of your game.
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Corners
There are options from corners on FIFA 23, and for that reason we recommend setting this at 3 on the five-point scale. That way, you will have players in the box if you choose to take a traditional long corner, but you can also take a short corner and have players to find outside the box.
Keeping this number relatively balanced also reduces your chances of being exposed on the break from a corner.
Free-Kicks
For the same reasons as above, we'd recommend setting this at 2 or 3, depending on the nature of the free kick and how attacking your personal style of play is.
FIFA 23 Custom Tactics: Conclusion
There you have it, our best set of FIFA 23 custom tactics to get you winning games in a flash. You can, of course, tailor these settings to your personal style of play, but we find these to be the perfect balance between defensive stability and pace in attack.
Let us know how you get on using these FIFA 23 custom tactics - you should be rocketing to Division 1 in no time!
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