The new Player Roles in EA Sports FC 25 are part of the latest FC IQ feature. These work in tandem with team tactics and a footballer’s Playstyle to have a deeper impact, especially when placed in the correct positions. The Player Roles reflect a player’s place in their real-life team, the role they usually embody, and their talent in those areas; essentially, they allow you to have a more customized and strategic approach to how you play the game.
Currently, there are 31 Player Roles in EA Sports FC 25. With about one to three Focuses each, there are about 52 combinations that are possible. Through this, you have a lot of leeway in how your team is structured and how you approach the game.
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Details on All Player Roles in EA Sports FC 25
You can edit any Player Roles in your line-up when you’re in Team Management and making or changing Tactics in EA Sports FC 25. This allows you to see the Tactical Preset that is assigned by default, as well as which footballers come with which Player Roles right out of the box. Once you go to the right tab, you’ll be able to see the multiple roles that the chosen footballer can have in their position. When you’re scrolling through the choices, the field map will also light up in a grid, showing all the places they will have influence over. This can help you make a finer decision about how you approach matches.
On looking through the Player Roles in EA Sports FC 25, you’ll find that each footballer has at least one Role+. However, this may not be visible in each formation. For example, in the default Real Madrid formation, Bellingham doesn’t have a Role+ in his CM position. He does, though, gain one when he’s placed as a CAM. Fortunately, none of these factors affect any Player Playstyle in EA Sports FC 25.
Further, there are also formations where the game informs you that a particular Player Role, whether standard or enhanced, does not suit the chosen formation preset. For example, this could be due to the formation being very narrow and certain roles overlapping with other teammates, hampering the line-up’s overall impact on the field.
With that out of the way, let’s take a look at all the Player Roles in EA Sports FC 25 and the different Focus combinations possible.
All Attacker Player Roles in EA Sports FC 25
Target Forward (ST)
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.
- Attack (Focus 1)- With an Attack focus, the Target Forward is free to focus on going forward, without any defensive instructions.
- Balanced (Focus 2) - When Balanced, the Target Forward will drop off from the defensive line, hold up the play, and lay the ball off to teammates. They will have minor defensive duties.
- Wide (Focus 3) - When set to Wide, the Target Forward will drift to the edges of the box in a search for space to make an impact.
False 9 (ST)
Positioned in the forward line, this player drops deep to dictate play, in the space in front of a defense. This also allows them to contribute towards defensive phases of the game.
- Build-up (Focus 1) - With Build-Up, the False 9 will drop back from the opposition's defense, and operate as a playmaker, leading attacks.
Poacher (ST)
This player has one objective: score goals. They stay forward and focus on making runs in behind the defense, hoping to fashion a chance to score.
- Attack (Focus 1) - With an Attack focus, the Poacher will lurk just off the defensive line, ready to capitalize on any defensive gaps or errors.
Advanced Forward (ST)
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.
- Attack (Focus 1) - With an Attack focus, the Advanced Forward will concentrate on goal-scoring opportunities, usually positioning themselves high and central on the pitch.
- Complete (Focus 2) - 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.
Winger (LW/RW)
A wide midfielder who will always stay wide, hugging the touchline, offering support on the flanks in all phases of play.
- Attack (Focus 1) - When set to Attack, the Winger will focus on getting forward, and prefers to make runs behind the defense instead of receiving the ball at their feet.
- Balanced (Focus 2) - 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 Playmaker (LW/RW)
A creative outlet positioned out wide, but able to move inside to help create chances to unpick defenses.
- Attack (Focus 1) - With an Attack focus, the Wide Playmaker will move forward, and receive passes out wide.
Inside Forward (LW/RW)
A wide attacker who begins on the wing, but will regularly cut inside onto their preferred foot to shoot or play the final pass. They tend to run in behind the defense.
- Attack (Focus 1) - When given an Attack focus, the Inside Forward will focus on cutting inside and making attacking runs.
- Balanced (Focus 2) - When Balanced, the Inside Forward will offer minimal defensive support, and sometimes hold off making runs in behind instead to offer passing options.
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All Midfielder Player Roles in EA Sports FC 25
Half Winger (CAM/CM)
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.
- Attack (Focus 1) - When set to Attack, the Half Winger can advance freely, sacrificing defensive responsibilities.
- Balanced (Focus 2) - With Balanced, the Half Winger will alternate equally between attacking and defending in a measured way.
Playmaker (CAM/CM)
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.
- Attack (Focus 1) - When set to Attack, the Playmaker will move forward to support attacks higher up the field.
- Balanced (Focus 2) - When asked to be Balanced, the Playmaker will offer defensive support when needed, as well as orchestrate attacks.
- Roaming (Focus 3) - When set to Roaming, the Playmaker will have freedom to explore the pitch to find the best spaces to support attacks.
Shadow Striker (CAM)
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 1) - When set to Attack, the Shadow Striker will focus on making late runs into the box, filling the space behind the striker.
Holding (CDM/CM)
A pivotal role in modern football, this defense-minded midfielder focuses on guarding their backline during attacks, and covering off against counter-attacks, with limited attacking support.
- Defend (Focus 1) - When instructed to Defend, the Holding Midfielder will move slightly higher to offer a passing option, but will otherwise focus on defending.
- Roaming (Focus 2) - 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.
Deep-Lying Playmaker (CDM/CM)
The key cog to building up play from the back, this defensively positioned midfielder will often be the catalyst for attacks.
- Defend (Focus 1) - With a Defend focus, the Deep-Lying Playmaker will focus on closing down passing lanes and staying back while their team attacks.
- Roaming (Focus 2) - The Roaming focus allows the Deep-Lying Playmaker to move across the width of the pitch to support attacks.
Box-to-Box (CM)
This player operates between the two boxes, operating as neither the last line of defense, nor the final part of the attack, but involved in everything in-between.
- Balanced (Focus 1) - When asked to be balanced, the Box-to-box Midfielder will cover the center of the pitch in attack and defense.
Center Half (CDM)
A defensive midfielder who will drop between the Center Backs while their team is in possession to offer protection against the counter-attack.
- Defend (Focus 1) - When set to Defend, the Center Half will focus on their defensive duties.
Winger (LM/RM)
A wide midfielder who will always stay wide, hugging the touchline, offering support on the flanks in all phases of play.
- Attack (Focus 1) - When set to Attack, the Winger will focus on getting forward, and prefers to make runs behind the defense instead of receiving the ball at their feet.
- Balanced (Focus 2) - 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 Playmaker (LM/RM)
A creative outlet positioned out wide, but able to move inside to help create chances to unpick defenses.
- Attack (Focus 1) - With an Attack focus, the Wide Playmaker will move forward and receive passes out wide.
Wide Midfielder (LM/RM)
A midfielder who stays wide to facilitate play, providing passing and defensive support, but rarely ventures forward to attack.
- Balanced (Focus 1) - When Balanced, the Wide Midfielder will stay wide to support possession and provide defensive support when needed.
- Defend (Focus 2) - When asked to Defend, the Wide Midfielder will drop into the defensive midfield line and protect the defense.
Inside Forward (LM/RM)
A wide attacker who begins on the wing, but will regularly cut inside onto their preferred foot to shoot or play the final pass. They tend to run in behind the defense.
- Attack (Focus 1) - When given an Attack focus, the Inside Forward will focus on cutting inside and making attacking runs.
- Balanced (Focus 2) - When Balanced, the Inside Forward will offer minimal defensive support, and sometimes hold off making runs in behind instead to offer passing options.
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All Defender Player Roles in EA Sports FC 25
Fullback (LB/RB)
A wide defender that will prioritize protecting their own goal, by standing back, holding the defensive line, and offering a passing option to release pressure.
- Balanced (Focus 1) - When set to Balanced, the Fullback is granted more freedom to push slightly forward and wider in support of attacks.
- Defend (Focus 2) - When set to Defend, the Fullback will move inside to form a back three when their team is in possession.
Wingback (LB/RB)
This player's versatility and stamina allow them to push upfield to support attacks, before returning to their defensive position.
- Defend (Focus 1) - With Balanced, the Wingback is given license to stay forward even when the team is out of possession or drop back into defense when needed.
Falseback (LB/RB)
A modern evolution of the fullback, this player pushes up the field, adopting a central position when their team has the ball.
- Balanced (Focus 1) - When set to Balanced, the Falseback positions themselves as a Central Midfielder when their team is in possession.
- Defend (Focus 2) - When set to Defend, the Falseback operates as a Defensive Midfielder when the team has the ball.
Attacking Wingback (LB/RB)
Though technically a defender, this player will be more concerned with getting forward, and offering width to their team's attacks.
- Attack (Focus 1) - When asked to Attack, the Attacking Wingback will push even higher up the pitch, and perform fewer defensive duties.
- Balanced (Focus 2) - When asked to be Balanced, the Attacking Wingback will rarely sprint back to defend, unless their team has been hit on the counter.
Defender (CB)
A no-nonsense center back who excels at the basics of defending, including maintaining the defensive line.
- Balanced (Focus 1) - With a Balanced focus, the Defender will step up to close down attackers when needed.
- Defend (Focus 2) - When asked to Defend, the Defender will focus only on their defensive responsibilities.
Stopper (CB)
A ball-winning center back who will step forward from the defensive line to make tackles, intercept passes, and lead the press.
- Balanced (Focus 1) - With a Balanced focus, the Stopper will intercept passes and pressure attackers receiving the ball.
Ball-Playing Defender (CB)
A modern center 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 1) - The Build-Up focus moves the Ball-Playing Defender into more of a holding midfielder role during possession.
- Defend (Focus 2) - When set to Defend, the Ball-Playing Defender will step up a little to support teammates during possession.
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All Goalkeeper Player Roles in EA Sports FC 25
Goalkeeper (GK)
A traditional goalkeeper who stays on their line and focuses on shot-stopping.
- Balanced (Focus 1) - With a Balanced focus, the Goalkeeper will occasionally leave their area to collect long or loose balls.
- Defend (Focus 2) - With a Defend focus, the Goalkeeper won't rush out to collect long or loose balls.
Sweeper Keeper (GK)
A modern goalkeeper who is able to stop attacks and support build-up play as a passing option.
- Balanced (Focus 1) - A Balanced focus allows the Sweeper Keeper to leave their area to collect balls close to their box.
As mentioned before, there's an exhaustive count of 31 Players Roles in EA Sports FC 25. Given the Focuses available, you can choose from among 52 combinations. This significantly changes how you approach matches, whether it's something as meta-heavy as the Ultimate Team mode or as simple as Squad Battles.
What's also helpful with the Team Tactics and the Player Roles this time around is that you can see exactly what a player's area of influence is. Further, you can also see the team's effective formation with and without the ball. This may not be a big deal to a veteran. However, the new Team Tactics and Player Roles may just be your cup of tea if you're a newcomer to EA Sports FC 25.
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OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 76 /100 Critics Rec: 63%
- Released
- September 27, 2024
- ESRB
- Everyone // Alcohol And Tobacco Reference, Users Interact, In-Game Purchases (Includes Random Items)
- Developer(s)
- EA Canada, EA Romania
- Publisher(s)
- EA Sports
- Engine
- Frostbite
- Multiplayer
- Online Multiplayer, Local Multiplayer, Online Co-Op, Local Co-Op
- Franchise
- EA Sports FC
WHERE TO PLAY
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PC
- Genre(s)
- Sports
